Failure to communicate is the responsibility of both speaker and listener. Listen, really listen, to the desires of a person with attention difficulties and language processing problem...

 Please be patient with me. I'm interested in what you have to say.

 Please help me pay attention to what you say. It's hard for me to keep my attention.

 Please make sure I'm listening. I don't always know when I'm not.

 Don't get angry with me. It's already hard for me to attend and understand. The extra pressure will only distract me.

 Sometimes long complex sentences confuse me. Please keep them short.

 Easier vocabulary usually helps me understand.

 It's OK to repeat what you said. I won't be insulted. It helps me understand.

 Don't get irritated when I ask you to repeat. It only means I want to understand you.

 Can you rephrase what you said before? Saying it in a different way may help me understand.

 Please explain that abstract word. I didn't understand it.

 The slower you speak the more I am able to listen and understand you.

 If I appear distracted, please help me refocus. I didn't fade away on purpose.

 Please allow me time to think about your information. I really need that extra time.

 I didn't mean to be short with you. I couldn't help it. Next time I'll try to take my time and think before I act.

 I am a good person. Please give me the same courtesy you would anyone else.

© ©1997-2003 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association