In longer meetings, especially where a person with a speaking impairment will be doing a lot of talking, consider scheduling extra time for breaks. As a result of difficulties communicating their ideas and thoughts in conversation, people with aphasia may be seen as incompetent by those who do not understand the nature of their disability. Strategies which enable the person with aphasia to participate in conversation, and which validate the person s contributions, are important. Training packages which teach supported conversation are available from agencies serving people with aphasia. A person with TS needs to release their symptoms at some point during the day, but may be able to control them during a meeting.
Tics can be very distracting to others, especially at first.
Patience in getting used to the person s symptoms is important. A person with TS may also have obsessions, compulsive behaviours, Attention Deficit Disorder, learning disabilities, behavioural problems, sleep disorders or difficulties with impulse control. This means that a person with TS may find it difficult to sit still during a meeting, which could be distracting, or may have other behaviours which distract from the meeting s agenda.