“It Was the First Time He Really Understood”: Why Communication Goals Must Shift 

When we write a report or set a communication goal, it often feels like a mix of planning and advocacy. On paper, we’re defining what someone might achieve. But in practice, we’re also sharing knowledge – because as a society, we still don’t fully appreciate the barriers to inclusive communication. 

Too often, our goals ask people with disabilities to adapt to inaccessible systems – without asking those systems or their communication partners, to adapt in return. 

At MyComms, we believe communication goals shouldn’t focus solely on the individual. They should consider the environment, the tools available and critically – the role of the communication partner. 

Communication Is a Two-Way Street 

For decades, research has supported multimodal communication – using speech, visuals, gesture, AAC and written supports. Yet in many settings, we still place the responsibility on the person with the disability to change or improve, rather than addressing what we, as communication partners, can do differently. 

The truth is, communication success often hinges on interaction – and that means communication partners need the tools, training and confidence to make adjustments that foster understanding, agency and dignity. 

Research into Communication Partner Training (CPT) has long shown that when we shift our focus to the interaction and equip partners with the right tools, communication outcomes improve significantly (Kent-Walsh & McNaughton, 2005). 

NDIS and Partner Responsibility: It’s Written In 

The NDIS Practice Standards reinforce this shift. They require that information be provided in a way most likely to be understood by the participant. This means support workers, educators and carers need to adapt their own communication – not expect others to “catch up.” 

The NDIS Commission’s Supporting Effective Communication training echoes this: communication is not a one-way street. Partner adjustments are critical to participant outcomes. 

Not only that, it forms part of the Communication Bill of Rights, which clearly states that all individuals with communication needs have the right to communicate in ways that are effective, accessible and respected. This includes the right to: 

When we ignore the role of the communication partner, we risk violating these basic rights. Supporting inclusive, multimodal communication isn’t just best practice – it’s a human right. 

A Hospital Visit That Changed Everything 

One parent recently shared her experience using MyComms – not to build her child’s expressive communication, but to build agency, comprehension and trust during a stressful hospital visit: 

“It was like the first time he really comprehended what was happening.” 

“(MyComms) stopped trauma happening and trauma sparking skill loss… It stopped his brain going into survival mode.” 

“That was the smoothest medical experience we’ve ever had.” 

“He grabbed the doctor and pulled him down to his face level and matched him to the step on my phone.” 

“It was seriously life changing. You’ve taken something so traumatic – for our children and for us – and made life less scary.” 

These words speak volumes. When communication becomes accessible, it doesn’t just support understanding – it builds predictability, safety and connection. For this young boy, it helped reshape years of hospital trauma and access to quality intervention from brilliant health professionals that want to help.  

MyComms: Designed for the Whole Team 

MyComms isn’t designed to “fix” communication. It’s built to support shared understanding – before things escalate, before distress, before disconnection. 

The platform gives families, support workers and educators easy access to over 200 evidence-informed templates, like, task breakdowns and choice boards – designed to reduce setup time, boost engagement and increase independence. 

We’ve designed MyComms to reduce the cognitive and emotional load on caregivers, not add to it. When the right visual is available in the right moment, it’s not just helpful – it can change the entire trajectory of an experience. 

Let’s Hold Two Truths at Once 

So how do we move forward? With compassionate design. With tools that support – not overwhelm. And with a clear message: communication is never just one person’s job. 

We also need to name the complexity: barriers to communication are often amplified for those with intersecting identities – people who are neurodivergent, multilingual, LGBTQIA+, or living with co-occurring mental health and intellectual disabilities. Inclusive communication is equity work. 

Let’s Shift the Goalposts – Together 

If a communication goal doesn’t lead to greater independence, connection or dignity – it’s worth rethinking. And if it relies solely on one person doing all the changing, it’s probably missing the point. 

Let’s make inclusive communication the standard – not the exception.