Hints For Working with People with Developmental Disabilities
Here are some ideas to help you and everyone get along with people who have developmental disabilities. I collected these while visiting a friend. I looked these ideas over and realized that these ideas are great for getting along with everyone . . . not just people with developmental disabilities -- in almost any situation. See if you're already using some of these in your work areas. If not, you should be.
Tips and Suggestons:
SMILE and be friendly.
Focus on abilities, not disabilities.
Remember a person is a person first with a disability second.
Be positive, have a good attitude and be patient.
Encourage by praising good behavior.
Assist by explainging what to do, rather than what not to do.
Make instructions simple and clear.
Speak clearly, and slowly, be specific.
Talk to and with people -- not at them.
Redirect challenging behavior.
Establish routines and prepare people in advance for unexpected changes in routine.
Be observant and aware.
Establish limitations and maintain them.
Be fast, firm and fair.
Be consistent.
Keep the atmosphere relaxed and happy.
Be aware of your voice tone.
Provide opportunities for choice, decision making, to express oneself.
Encourage confidence and self-esteem.
Learn new skills and develop leisure interests.
Reduce stress and decrease aggression.
Increase communication skills.
Provide ways to release excess energy.
Provide opportunities to experience challenge.
Improve overall quality of life, making life happier more meaningful and worthwhile.
People with developmental disabilities are still people . . . and they are people first and foremost . . . as we all are. Should we treat anyone any more differently? People are people . . . and we all have feelings.
Author: Don Doman
Author Bio:
Don Doman
Don Doman is a published author (How to Produce a First-Class Video for Your Business: Work with the Pros or Do It Yourself, Market Research Made Easy, and Out of Work? Get Into Business: a Guide for the Middle-Aged Entrepreneur. He has also been a corporate producer for over two decades.
Don and his wife Peg are local food and theatre critics in the Pacific Northwest, where they write about their adventures.
This article can be searched using: diversity in the workplace, workplace safety, office workplace ergonomics, workplace diversity
