Following Conversation

What might you see?

• Difficulty paying attention to what is being said
• Misinterpreting what is said
• Being "off topic" compared to the rest of the people in the conversation

How can you help?

• Get the service member or veteran’s attention before speaking.
• Be clear and to the point. Keep it simple.
• Reduce distractions if possible.
• Ask the service member or veteran to restate what they heard to ensure understanding.
• You may have to talk more slowly and pause frequently to allow the person time to process and respond.
• Avoid abrupt topic changes.
• In group settings, help set a slower pace of conversation.