Clients or patients with literacy difficulties may display certain exaggerated behaviours. They may:

• Become angry and storm out
• Show resistance if they are unable to carry out instructions or guidance
• Show no interest at all in the information they receive
• Deny that their condition is serious enough to warrant reading additional information or following complicated treatment procedure

In contrast, some clients or patients with literacy difficulties will display certain subtle behaviours.

Non-verbal signs of discomfort:

• Loss of eye contact
• Heightened facial colour
• Nervous finger tapping
• Less relaxed physical posture

Signs of diminished self-esteem:

• Non-confident body language
• Lowered tone of voice
• Verbalizing diminished self-concept

From “Signs of Low Literacy in Patients - Recognizing Special Needs” published by the Saskatchewan Literacy Network