ConneXtion is Coming! June 10-11, 2025
Learn More!

Menu

Donate

Milestones Autism Resources

4853 Galaxy Parkway, Suite A
Warrensville Heights, OH 44128

Phone: (216) 464-7600

Home About Us Blog The World Revolves Around Good Communication Skills - Dr. William Lane

The World Revolves Around Good Communication Skills - Dr. William Lane

Posted on 07/27/18 in Social and Recreation by Milestones

The World Revolves Around Good Communication Skills - Dr. William Lane
The World Revolves Around Good Communication Skills - Dr. William Lane

How can one practice better face-to-face communication?

In today's world of communication technologies, that question is something we should all be asking ourselves, whether we are on the autism spectrum or not. As the world continues to grow more connected electronically, strong communication skills are easy to forget about, yet are still essential for success.

Having assisted many clients with varying degrees of communication skills, education consultant and self-advocate Dr. William Lane knows firsthand that it is necessary for us to be aware of how we practice daily communication, especially in such a technology-saturated world. Below, Dr. Lane shares a few strategies he uses himself, and with other individuals on the spectrum, to improve face-to-face interactions in an era of convenient technology:

The first step is wanting to listen to what the speaker was saying. When wanting to listen, you pay close attention to what the speaker is saying; not only with your mind but also with your facial expressions and body language. When someone is speaking, it is necessary that you provide the speaker with clues of your interest in continuing the conversation. A few examples of facial and body language that are conducive to promoting future conversation are good posture, leaning forward, arms and legs uncrossed, smiling, and having your head up.

The second step is engaging in listening. Engaging in listening is applying those skills used when listening to your teacher or your boss speak. It is that, “I must listen to what is being said as this is very important in order to complete the task."

The next step is during any conversation, practice staying on topic. On occasion, it is easy to talk about a subject that you want to address. Paying attention to what the speaker is talking about and asking questions about that topic helps keep the conversation flowing. This can be done by asking open-ended questions about the subject of the conversation. Some examples of open-ended questions are “who, what, when, where, why and how”.

Fourth, take responsibility for participating. Communication is the transferring of information from the speaker (message sender) to the listener (message receiver). Communication is a two-way process that involves at least one sender in a manner that allows for message delivery that is clear and successful, and by at least one listener who receives and understands. Participation allows for both continuation and remaining on topic.

Finally, delay judgment. Delay preparing your response to the topic of the conversation until the speaker is finished so that you are able to listen to understand rather than listening to respond. One of the biggest communication problems occurs when instead of listening to what the speaker is saying, the receiver of the message is preparing how they are going to respond to what was being said.

To help me remember these steps, I use the acronym WEST-D.

W - Want to listen

E - Engage in active listening

S - Stay on topic

T - Take responsibility for participating

D - Delay judgment

In conclusion, the importance of communication cannot be stressed enough. Like air, it is something all humans need.

For more communication strategies and techniques Dr. William Lane’s new book “Stop Being Invisible: Overcoming Communication Barriers” will be released in September 2018. Text LANE to 3870 on your smart phone to receive email notifications prior to publication.

Dr. William Lane is an international speaker, education consultant, and autism advocate. He can be found on social media through LinkedIn, and Facebook. Dr. Lane can be contacted by phone at (302) 745.7472 or emailing him at drbill22005@gmail.com. For more information, please visit his website at DrLaneEdConsultant.com.

Photo Gallery

1 of 22

Need assistance? Let Milestones be your local guide.

Unsure of where to start? Contact our free Helpdesk with your questions, and we will do the research for you!

Visit milestones.org/helpdesk and complete an intake form.