There are many reasons somebody may be unable to explain what they need. They may be overwhelmed, non-speaking, injured, confused, experiencing a health event or simply facing a situation in which words are hard to find. The useful question is not “What is wrong with them?” It is “What information would help another person respond well?”
Communication can change with the situation
A person who communicates confidently most of the time may communicate very differently during pain, panic, sensory overload or an emergency. A child may know exactly what they want to say but be unable to say it to an unfamiliar adult. Somebody with a fluctuating condition may need help on one day and none on another. That is why useful information should not depend on a person being able to repeat it at the moment it is needed.
Useful information is not limited to a diagnosis
A diagnosis can provide context, but it rarely tells somebody what to do next. Clear communication preferences, what helps, what may make matters worse, trusted contacts and immediate assistance information can be more useful in the moment. MIPACE lets the profile owner choose what appears publicly. The aim is not to publish everything; it is to make the right information easier to access.
A profile should speak in the person’s voice
The strongest profiles are specific and respectful. “Give me a little more time to answer” is more useful than a broad label. “Please speak directly to me” sets a clear expectation. “If I become separated from my family, call…” gives the viewer an appropriate next step. Review the wording from the perspective of somebody meeting the person for the first time.
Keep it current and proportionate
Circumstances change. Phone numbers, medication, school arrangements, routines and what a person finds helpful can all change. Review the profile periodically and after an important change. Remove details that no longer help. A shorter current profile is more valuable than a long one that people cannot quickly understand.
Please note: MIPACE supports access to information. It does not provide medical advice, replace professional assessment, emergency services, safeguarding procedures or the safety arrangements appropriate to an activity or setting.