No categories

Important voices

Individuals of significance have lent their Important Voices to shape the culture, values and programs @WAPADH. These individuals come from our local community, from across the nation and from around the world. This section will give voice to these individuals’ views and explore issues they feel are driving improvements in the lives of people with a disability label. Our Goal: change the cultures view of disability.

Challenging Behaviors….

Living with a body that doesn’t always cooperate, and without a consistent means of communication can be challenging. Individuals who present with difficult behaviors are sometimes trying to say something to us, but sometimes the “expression” is the result of an internal need or emotional response. We just don’t always know. So what do we do … provide alternate modes of communication.

Here are a few ideas to include when developing the alternate mode of communication for behavioral needs:

Using the alternate mode of communication must be as easy as using the behavior.
If the behavior says “I’m mad” or “I need a break” the alternate mode should include the why!
Provide opportunities to develop and show coping skills. For example, “It’s too loud in here.”, “This is boring.”….
Respond to the behavior with the presentation of a “coping board” rather than another way to say “I’m mad.”
Allow the individual time to regroup and calm down. When approaching or suggesting we get back to what we were doing give opportunities to say, “I’m not ready.”, “In a minute.”, “okay”

Supporting individuals who have difficulty communicating and have a challenging life requires we, as support persons are respectful of the person’s communication and needs for accommodations. We have to trust each other. For the support person we need to trust that we can handle the complicated situations, and trust that the person wants to communicate with us appropriately. For the individual with the communication impairment they have to trust that we are listening and will check in with them before we repeat what we were doing.

Real communication takes TRUST and RESPECT! Together we can do this. Sue Rubin, advocate, has written a piece that describes how complex living with autism can be, and how behaviors are a complicated part of the story. Below is a link to Sue’s story…..