- You are speaking to an adult. Do not use a baby voice. - Do
not ask where the adult's parent, caregiver, personal assistant,
or staff person is. This person is an adult and will not
necessarily be accompanied by someone else. - Don't assume that
the adult is ignoring you if he, she, or xe isn't looking at you
or making eye contact. - Don't assume that the adult is ignoring
you if he, she, or xe is looking at a phone, an iPad, or
elsewhere in general. - Don't assume that the adult isn't
hearing what you're saying if he, she, or xe doesn't give you
"yeah," "uh-huh," "mm-hmm," etc. responses while you are
speaking. - Pause when you're done talking long enough for him,
her, or xir to begin speaking or typing. - Be cognizant that the
adult may have cognitive processing delays, and give him, her,
or xir extra time to process what you're saying and formulate a
response. - If you are speaking to an alternative and
augmentative communication user (i.e. an adult who communicates
using picture cards, signs or symbols,