Recognising and recording pain in someone who communicates non-verbally
Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2026 10:47 am
Pain may appear as changes in facial expression, breathing, hand movements, vocalisation, sleep, appetite, posture, interaction or seizure pattern.
Key points to discuss:
- Write down the person’s individual pain signals when well and when unwell.
- Use the same simple observation scale across home, school and hospital if the clinical team recommends one.
- Record timing, triggers, location clues and response to repositioning or prescribed treatment.
- Consider common causes including constipation, reflux, dental problems, infection, fractures, hip/spine problems and menstrual pain.
- A sudden change from baseline deserves clinical assessment even when the person cannot point to the pain.
When to seek urgent help:
Seek urgent help for severe pain, injury, breathing difficulty, reduced responsiveness or any rapidly worsening illness.
Sources:
- Consensus care guidelines: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7488790/
- IRSF managing Rett care: https://www.rettsyndrome.org/about-rett ... rett-care/
Important: This post provides general information, not individual medical advice. Care and treatment must be personalised by qualified healthcare professionals. If you are worried that someone is seriously unwell, use your local urgent or emergency service.
Key points to discuss:
- Write down the person’s individual pain signals when well and when unwell.
- Use the same simple observation scale across home, school and hospital if the clinical team recommends one.
- Record timing, triggers, location clues and response to repositioning or prescribed treatment.
- Consider common causes including constipation, reflux, dental problems, infection, fractures, hip/spine problems and menstrual pain.
- A sudden change from baseline deserves clinical assessment even when the person cannot point to the pain.
When to seek urgent help:
Seek urgent help for severe pain, injury, breathing difficulty, reduced responsiveness or any rapidly worsening illness.
Sources:
- Consensus care guidelines: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7488790/
- IRSF managing Rett care: https://www.rettsyndrome.org/about-rett ... rett-care/
Important: This post provides general information, not individual medical advice. Care and treatment must be personalised by qualified healthcare professionals. If you are worried that someone is seriously unwell, use your local urgent or emergency service.