title: Use of non-verbal communication skills to improve nursing care.
abstract: This article describes non-verbal communication (NVC), its nursing assessment and its use with people who have a learning disability. A nursing diagnosis of altered non-verbal communication is outlined and a new wellness diagnosis is proposed of potential for enhanced non-verbal communication. The use and encouragement of non-verbal communication with people who have limited verbal comprehension is discussed. Nurses are considered an important focus for change; for enhancing a person's non-verbal skills, for improving their learning environment and for ultimately improving their social development.
authors.affiliation: Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust, West Ardsley Adult Training Centre, Tingley.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing*; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards*