Rolemodeling abilities

Throughout my life, I have learned on a personal level by life experiences as well as on a professional level while in school (or while having a job), that it is very important to role modeling positive behaviors when working with individuals who have different abilities. I have also determined that good role models are needed in their life.

While growing up I have witnessed that my brother (who was born with Down syndrome and was later diagnosed with ADHD to then later be evaluated with Autism), needs structure and positive role models in his life.  He has done well with people who model positive behavior, motivation, and structure related to his own abilities, while at the same time accepting his own abilities, and allowing him to express his uniqueness.

He has taught me techniques that I apply in the community while being a role model for other people.

When I was working with individuals who had TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), role modeling played a huge part of my role in their rehabilitation. In many cases, after a TBI occurs in an individual, they need to re-train their brain on things that their brain used to be good at.  This can be life changing for them and their family members/caregivers.  When I worked with them as a Life Skills Therapist, I would model good behavior, motivation, and structure around their own ability on a daily basis. One of my roles, was to learn the therapeutic techniques that were used in their therapy sessions, and then to implement these skills in their own home or community. 

Modeling the exercises, techniques, and skills that therapists used was very important during their rehabilitation.  By modeling these techniques regularly, their body and mind were able to practice and be trained on the simple things that they had difficulty accomplishing, including: walking, dressing, and feeding.  Their family members or caretakers also learned these techniques rapidly and with ease so that they could then model the behaviors at home when I was not there.

Modeling and teaching effectively is important, because it contributes to the learning process of others, and learning happens best in a positive environment.  Now-a-days, I work with individuals who have a developmental disability. Through modeling positive techniques and behaviors related to their own abilities, they are able to learn simples tasks including: chores, shopping, cooking, and job skills.