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.

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.

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