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Evaluating Communication Strategies Week 8 Tina Whittington HSM/210 June 26, 2013 Laura Snell

Evaluating Communication Strategies Week 8 In order to communicate effectively with a multicultural group of women, children, the elderly, and the homeless, it is essential to first learn how to communicate. (Brooks, Cole) To reach an understanding with each group it is important to appreciate and understand each one of them, and to be kind and honest with them when giving feedback or sharing experiences. It is good to keep yourself in mind to make sure you are aware of how your personality or behavior is affecting someone. When talking with each group, you should accept each person for who they are as a person, and not based on how their life is. You must show interest in helping them, and have patience and understanding. The best strategies used for confronting include listening, communicating, giving feedback, observing their visual clues to possible gain insight, to clarify or paraphrase their situations back to them in order for them to have an understanding of what is going on, highlight their struggles, then summarize to see what it is you really need to take care of. (Brooks, Cole) When adapting the communication approach, it is good to open up and consider their physical and emotional wellness, as well as understanding their environmental factors. You must also have multicultural awareness, and hopefully have experience with prior training so you are a little more adjusted and prepared for their type of situations.

Sources: Brooks, Cole. Human Services in Contemporary America. A division of Thomson Learning. Copyright 2004, Ch. 5 (pp. 195-210, 214-220 & 223-226)