Non-Verbal Communication Guide For Head, Neck Patients

Patient communication is essential for a safe and effective recovery after a surgery. However, some of our patients who underwent procedures that compromised their ability to speak were having difficulty expressing their thoughts and emotions. They were often dependent on pointing, nodding ‘yes’ or ‘no’, or writing out every sentence, which is not an option for everyone and can be time-consuming.

Inspired by the elegance of American Sign Language (ASL), we created this curriculum to expand the resources available to our patients while working with their care team and communicating with their families. ASL signs allow patients to better outline requests, express emotions, and describe symptoms. Each recovery is different among individuals and signs can be tailored as needed. Watch the videos below to start learning.