Daily living component activity 7 descriptor D (8 points)
Needs communication support to be able to express or understand basic verbal information
Who it applies to
Daily living component activity 7 descriptor D is most likely to apply to an individual:
- who requires communication support such as support from another person trained in communicating with people with specific communication needs (for example, a BSL interpreter)
- who uses aids or appliances, where those aids do not restore speech, hearing or understanding to an acceptable standard
An individual who is unable to express or understand basic verbal information and would need communication support to do so should receive the appropriate descriptor even if they do not have access to this support.
If an individual has access to communication support but does not use it through choice, then you may consider the reason for this choice.
If there’s a good reason, then function without communication support should be considered. If there is not a good reason, expected function with the communication support should be considered.
A good reason for not using communication support could include instances where it would still not enable a person to communicate to an acceptable standard, repeatedly or within a reasonable period of time. In this case the individual would likely be awarded daily living component activity 7 descriptor E.
It might also not be safe for a person to make use of communication support if this would likely cause harm to the individual or another person either during or after the communication support has been provided.
If an individual is not able to participate in a conversation or speak for themselves to express or understand basic verbal information, a higher descriptor may be appropriate. But if an individual cannot participate in a conversation or speak for themselves, however they can with communication support, daily living component activity 7 descriptor D does apply to them.
An individual who is reliant on communication support, for example, a BSL interpreter or Tactile BSL interpreter, is likely to be awarded daily living component activity 7 descriptor D.
An individual may use an aid or appliance but still require communication support to express or understand basic verbal information.
Example: an individual with a cleft palate, who satisfies daily living component activity 7 descriptor D
Avi had a cleft palate when he was born and throughout his younger life, and into adulthood has had many operations to try and correct this.
Supporting information
A letter from his facial surgeon suggests that these haven’t all been successful, and reports that whilst the hole has been closed, the structure of his mouth is impacted, making it difficult for him to speak.
Application form
In his application form for ADP, Avi states that he can make some simple words, but these are only short words like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, and he cannot speak in sentences.
When he goes to appointments at the GP surgery, the doctor knows to only ask yes or no questions. Anywhere else, he states that he relies on the help of his partner, mother, father, or whoever’s with him at the time to answer on his behalf.
As Avi has difficulties with expressing words, he needs someone to help him. Avi does not have any difficulty in understanding the information and is able to say some short words, so he can do some basic communication. However, he needs support to be able to do this repeatedly, and to an acceptable standard.
Case manager’s decision
The case manager determines that Avi satisfies daily living component activity 7 descriptor D, because of the support he needs from another person to express verbal communication.