- Look at me while you talk
- Check that I understand what you're saying to me.
- Being friendly, nice, reassuring.
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- Asking 'x or y' questions. (yes or no, this or that)
- Ask me if I know where I am and who you are. Explain to me if I say no or am not sure.
- Do not suddenly leave me alone, explain why you are leaving.
- Remind me I am safe.
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- Suggest I communicate by writing (I communicate more comfortably this way)
- Suggest (in the form of a question) simple tasks:
- Can you do this?
- Can you look at me?
- Do you want some water?
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- Asking if I can do a simple thing as opposed to telling me to do it. ("Are you able to calm down now?" instead of "calm down.")
- Asking "can I" and "can you" questions.
- Talking a lot makes me dissociate eventually, give me breaks where I don't have to speak or listen to you.
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- Asking my level of dissociation (from 1-10) and if I know what caused it. (we can work on stopping what caused it if it's still happening)
- Helping me focus on the senses with things in the room I am in.
- Occasionally stopping to explain what's happening at the moment.