ALL BEHAVIOR IS COMMUNICATION

P.S. We just released a new short version of our module “Abuse Prevention.” After completing this new bite size 80 minute module you will be able to:

– Describe what abuse is, along with the signs, symptoms, causes, circumstances, patterns, and effects of abuse.

– Explain how the power and control of systems and professionals impact your role and the safety of the people you support.

– Know how to recognize and report abuse when it is witnesses or reported to you, and be able to describe the process that should take place after reporting abuse.

– Help the people you support to be able to stop and better protect themselves from abuse.

Learn more about all of our modules here.

 

Five More Things You Can Do

David Pitonyak is back with another five things you can do to support someone who has behavior that is challenging.  

When the person you support is going through a difficult time, friendships, a positive identity, fairness, and fun are commonly neglected.  Using a series of memorable short stories, Pitonyak will help you learn why these principles are so important and what you can do to develop them.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

– Understand the importance of relationships, contribution, and goal setting.

– Explain how you can help people develop a positive identity.

– Describe how you can support relationships based on choice and fairness.

– Explain the importance of and describe how you can help eple have more fun in their lives.

 

The largest part of David Pitonyak’s work involves meeting people who are said to exhibit “difficult behaviors.”  Most of these people exhibit difficult behaviors because they are misunderstood and/or because they are living lives that don’t make sense.  Of they are lonely, powerless, or without joy.  Often they feel devalued by others or lack the kinds of educational experiences that most of us take for granted.  Too often their troubling behaviors are the result of an illness, or even a delayed response to traumatic events.  You might say their behaviors are “messages” which can tell us important things about their lives.  Learning to listen to the person’s difficult behaviors is the first step in helping the person to find a new (and healthier) story.

Enjoy this great excerpt from the module:

Watch the full trailer below:

Try Everything We Do

Our free trial provides complete access to our entire resource of Side by Side and Staff Learning Modules as well as our full Video On Demand library of films. If you have any questions in the interim please do not hesitate to let me know via ben@openfuturelearning.org

 

Difficult Families?

What can we learn from the families we support and work with?

This video is a celebration of families and what we can learn from them. The moving and thoughtful words of the families who made this video will help you to learn from the experience and understand the perspectives of the families that you work with.

New module here!