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Communication and Interpersonal Skills |
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People are more likely to be dismissed from their job because of inappropriate interpersonal skills rather than through anything being wrong with the work they are doing.
Effective communication is a very hazardous activity, vulnerable to mistakes, distortions and mis-understandings. Being able to initiate a conversation without dominating it, being able to pick up on the subtleties and nuances involved and being aware of body language are some of the things which have been developed naturally over the years for most of us, but have to be re-learnt after brain injury.
This group examines how communication is affected by brain injury and how this in turn affects family, social and working life. This social awareness is the final part in the process of recovery as the survivor becomes aware of reality and accepts that things will not be the same as before but that life goes on.
This process of learning to live with the long-term effects of brain injury may take years. Through the highs and lows enormous strength is found from talking to others who have the same experiences. New friends and a new way of life begins.
The kind of issues which challenge this group are anger management, sexuality, self esteem and self worth, establishing new relationships, fatigue, assertiveness, driving and return to work.
Headway is a stepping stone back into the community. We are able to guide members into further education courses and employment training. We are currently developing a structured return to work programme devised specifically for brain injury survivors.
