How to read body language

Body language is a powerful way of communicating without words. It can express emotions, intentions, preferences, and needs. It can also help us to connect with others and build trust and rapport.

But what if you have a disability that makes it hard for you to use or understand body language? How can you communicate effectively and enjoy life to the fullest?

I'm going to share some ways to improve your communication skills and have fun at the same time. It's called reading body language, and it's especially important for nonverbal people with a disability who may struggle to express themselves verbally. But don't worry, reading body language is not as hard as it sounds. In fact, it's a lot like playing a game.

"It's a universal language that everyone can understand."

You see, body language is the way we use our posture, gestures, facial expressions, eye contact and other cues to convey our emotions, intentions, and thoughts. It's a universal language that everyone can understand. And it's a powerful tool that can help you connect with others, build trust and rapport, and influence their behaviour.

But how do you read body language? Well, it's not as hard as it sounds. You just need to be observant, curious and present.

Observation is the first step to reading body language. It means paying attention to the subtle signals that people send with their bodies. For example, if someone is smiling, they are probably happy or friendly. If someone is crossing their arms, they may be defensive or bored. If someone is leaning forward, they may be interested or curious. Observation helps you to understand what people are feeling and thinking, and how they may react to you.

Here are some things to look out for:

• Facial expressions: Do they smile, frown, grimace, or show any other emotion on their face? What does that tell you about how they are feeling or what they want?
  

• Eye contact: Do they look at you or away from you? Do they follow your gaze or look at something else? What does that tell you about their level of attention or interest?
  

• Gestures: Do they point, wave, nod, shake their head, or make any other gesture with their hands or arms? What does that tell you about what they are trying to say or ask?
  

• Posture: How do they sit or stand? Are they relaxed or tense? Are they leaning towards you or away from you? What does that tell you about their attitude or mood?
  

• Movement: How do they move their body? Are they fast or slow? Are they smooth or jerky? Are they coordinated or clumsy? What does that tell you about their energy level or ability?
  

• Touch: How do they touch themselves or others? Are they gentle or rough? Are they affectionate or aggressive? What does that tell you about their comfort level or relationship?
  

By observing these clues, you can get a better idea of what your non-verbal clients are thinking and feeling.

But observation is not only about watching others. It's also about watching yourself. How do you use your body language when you communicate? Are you sending the right signals? Are you matching your words with your actions? Are you aware of how others perceive you? Observation helps you to improve your own body language and become more confident and effective.

"How do you react when someone smiles at you? Do you smile back or look away?"

But observation is not enough.

Playfulness is the second step to reading body language. It means using your own body language to communicate with others in a fun and engaging way. For example, you can mimic someone's gestures or expressions to show empathy or humour. You can use exaggerated movements or sounds to attract attention or make a point. You can use props or costumes to create scenarios or stories. Play helps you to express yourself creatively and confidently, and to build rapport and trust with others.

But playfulness is not only about using your body language. It's also about responding to others' body language. How do you react when someone smiles at you? Do you smile back or look away? How do you handle when someone crosses their arms? Do you try to open them up or back off? How do you deal with it when someone leans forward? Do you lean in or lean out? Playfulness helps you to adapt your body language to different situations and people.