Ways to Help
After consulting with family or caregivers, identify strengths, abilities, and learning style and offer specific praise for accomplishments and positive behavior. Provide opportunities to serve.
Set high but realistic expectations based on the individual’s skills and abilities.
Make eye contact and speak directly with kindness to the person using short, clear phrases.
Allow for extra time to respond to a question or situation.
Allow persons to perform tasks for themselves as much as possible.
Encourage genuine friendships.
Always speak in kind ways, eliminating the use of derogatory or slang words, and help others to do likewise.