I’ve been waiting to post something of the sort but never got around to it, ive finally decided to post this because it’s been in my drafts for way too long.

I’ve been in this sector for five years and have learned that behavior is a form of communication. I’ve read about it, practiced it, and preached about it. Is it simple to grasp? No, it isn’t. As a professional, do I have to understand that people communicate in different ways? I certainly do!

Communicating with others is difficult; everyone has a preferred style and use of body language. Some people prefer to share, while others prefer to remain silent. Working with people with disabilities, on the other hand, has taught me that words aren’t always necessary; how we act and behave says a lot. Fortunately, most of us have the ability to communicate using language through words; others, on the other hand, do not.

As a health care professional, I must first try to understand. This person acts in this manner because they are hurt; they may be hungry/ thirsty/ hot/ cold. They could be bored or looking for something fun and exciting to do instead of sitting and waiting for the day to pass. The reasons for this behavior vary, but whatever the reason, a message is being communicated. As someone attempting to assist people with disabilities in reaching their full potential, I cannot expect not to see a variety of behaviors. My duty is also to observe, track and work with the individual’s family to make sure that the persons’ needs are being tended to.

There is a lot to say about behavior, and I could go on and on about the various reasons one might exhibit concerning behavior. However, I should also point out that people need to know how to protect themselves in the event of an emergency, how to have the right structures that support staff in place and how to best support someone who is in the most need of assistance.

My deepest admiration is reserved for professionals who devote their time and experience to assisting people in learning and becoming independent. My respect also goes to the parents who adore and support their children, who work tirelessly and give their all to ensure that their children receive all the help and support they deserve.