Kathie Snow provides a review of how challenging behavior is misinterpreted and how people who exhibit such behavior are often viewed as "the problem." Individuals with disabilities who do not use traditional or easily understood speech are left to demand attention through "non-compliance" or "outbursts" because other efforts are misunderstood or ignored. She feels people with disabilities are often seen as being manipulative, difficult or atypical as a result of misinterpretations. Further, people with disabilities may remain separated and often unwanted because their communication style is different.
"For all people, behavior is communication" -- Kathie
Snow
Consider behavior as communication as you listen to Tom Ball. Support Brokers should be prepared to describe, explain or clarify what their employers' actions might mean in order to facilitate good communication with providers.
Tom
Ball
How would you respond to Tom if you couldn't hear his words? Is he animated? Is he agitated? How can you ensure that people with disabilities are respected regardless of what may be nothing more than unusual or different behaviors.
Click screen to play.
David Pitonyak, a behavior specialist and
national speaker, has created worksheets concerning behavior as
communication that are very useful. This activity will remind you
of how often significant ideas are conveyed through behavior.
The article used to develop this activity is included in the Additional
Resources section below.
Activity: Download and print this Acrobat PDF worksheet
on interpreting behaviors and complete before moving on to the next page.
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