And maybe what people DO NOT want to discuss is in itself is really important information??
Greg Cigan - 2/25/2017
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How can Talking Mats help decision making and determining capacity?
Joan Murphy
2/16/2017 6:30 PM
A judgement of incapacity should only be considered where the adult will benefit from it in a way that they could not do otherwise.
Where Talking Mats comes into play is by allowing people to consider each option and then make their decision when they place the symbol under the appropriate top scale. We have found that many people, who would otherwise be judged not to have capacity, can show that they can indeed understand and express their views so that they can be acted upon. Equally our work so far indicates that if someone cannot use Talking Mats this may be an indication that they do not have capacity for that particular decision.
Talking Mats supports the four criteria which are required in determining mental capacity. The table below lists some of the elements which Talking Mats provides to support each of the 4 criteria.
Are these 4 criteria applicable and helpful in your setting?
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Joan, this is a great list. Handy for explaining to people who may not yet be familiar with TM but are looking for ways in which they can support people to make informed decisions.
Helen Beltran - 2/23/2017
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I think Talking Mats is particularly effective in giving control over to the person being interviewed. Just the simple act of the person tossing away certain symbols that they do not want to use can be empowering as this allows the person to indicate that they do not want to discuss the item. This, in my opinion, also shows a level of understanding and capacity around the issue if the person understands enough to not want to talk about it.
Greg Cigan - 2/23/2017
Hi Greg
Good point - its really important to acknowledge what people don't want to talk about - too often people with communication diffiuctlies never get this opportunity
Joan Murphy - 2/24/2017
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Statement A
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