by Thomas E. Pomeranz, Ed.D.

1. Sensitivity: An Empathetic Approach by Thomas E. Pomeranz, Ed.D.

2. The Foundation for QOL Sensitivity– the quality of being sensitive. Responding or feeling, readily and acutely Courtesy – polite or considerate act or remark

3. Kindness Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Plato

4. Courtesy Binds Accepting another’s shortcomings-- being forgiving Valuing the other person’s input Saying you are sorry after unintentionally being insensitive Expressing condolences after the loss of a loved one

5. Courtesy Binds (cont’d.) Extending an allowance - being forgiving Wishing another a sincere good morning with a smile Shaking hands and welcoming back another after absence Making a sacrifice to increase the comfort of another

6. The Foundation for QOL Sensitivity– the quality of being sensitive. Responding or feeling, readily and acutely Courtesy – polite or considerate act or remark Respect– to feel or show honor or esteem for

7. Civility Defined An act of politeness or courtesy; the act of sharing regard for others; an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners; speech or behavior that is a sign of good parenting; perfunctory politeness; civility is claiming and caring for one’s identity, needs and beliefs without degrading. How much of a definition do we need? Let’s be civil to all people including those with disabilities!

8. Feeble-Mindedness Experts once defined feeble-mindedness as a menace and made these recommendations: No marriages Sterilization Segregation in state institutions Within state institutions, rigidly enforced segregation of the sexes

9. Monster “I could barely stand to look at him.”

10. Vegetable “She’s a vegetable.”

11. The Angelic “They are so precious and loveable.”

12. Evil “What sin did I commit to deserve this?”

13. Basket Case “He’s a basket case.”

14. Not A Person Are the individuals you support seen as people or an entity to be: Scheduled Placed Treated Programmed Discharged Behavior Managed Admitted Assessed How do the staff in your organization perceive the people they support?

15. Organizational Cultural Shift To shift an organization's “do to”, regulatory compliance, policy driven mentality to an organization that inspires and nurtures sensitive interaction for all staff, the following must be reassessed: Behavioral support interventions Day program content Individualization of personal space Job descriptions Performance appraisal evaluations Staff training curricula Maintenance of physical plant Quality assurance systems Individualized support planning process Purchasing and procurement procedures

16. The Idiot President AAMR 1915 “For many generations we have recognized and pitied the idiot. Of late we have recognized a higher type of defective, the moron. He is responsible for many, if not all, our social problems.”

17. Three Generations “It is better for all the world, if instead of waiting to execute degenerate offspring for crime, or to let them starve for their imbecility, society can prevent those who are manifestly unfit from continuing their kind. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Supreme Court Justice Carrie Buck vs. the Virginia Colony for Epileptics and the Feeble Minded, 1927 Three generations of Imbeciles are enough!”

18. Happy Creature “A well-fed, well-cared-for idiot is a happy creature. An idiot awakened to his condition is a miserable one.” Governor of Mass. 1883

19. Barriers to Sensitivity • Can you identify the factors that influence your prejudice? • Perception of Self • Us vs. Them: Minority Status Trans- generational • The Underground • Understanding the obstacles and challenges in being courteous will ease our struggle in cementing relationships.

20. Ignorant Ignorance n. The condition of being uneducated, unaware ,or uninformed. Ignorant adj. 1.Lacking education or knowledge. 2. Showing or arising from a lack of education or knowledge: an ignorant mistake. 3. Unaware or uninformed When people fail to treat each other with dignity, respect and courtesy, ignorance is usually the cause… knowledge, experience, and enlightenment are the solutions.

21. “Fake It… …'til you make it." May I help you?

22. Doctors urge acting class in med school By Tim Friend USA TODAY Doctors should take acting classes so they can at least pretend they're concerned about their patients' health, say two articles in The Lancet. • Acting Class Doctors should take acting classes so they can at least pretend they're concerned about their patients' health. Not to say doctors are cold, but the stress of medical practice sometimes spoils a compassionate mood. So knowing how to act a bit wouldn't hurt, suggest Drs. Hillel Finestone and David Conterr of the University of Western Ontario. "We do not put forward the idea cynically," they say. Their concern: If a doctor doesn't have the skills“ to assess a patient's emotional needs and to display clear and effective responses...the job is not done." They say acting classes should be required in medical school so doctors can learn just when to provide a perfectly timed compassionate look, or a touch on the hand. But which is better? Classical Laurence Olivier or method acting like Marlon Brando? The doctors hope "comparative testing in practice" will answer that question. An accompanying commentary in the British journal by Dr. Chris McManus of St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, says acting may ultimately save doctors at risk of professional burnout.

23. Staff Feelings Dis-ease arises from an elicited emotive response. Staff for whom emotions are neither elicited nor expressed may lack motivation to demonstrate sensitivity. For them there is no Dis-ease.

24. Emotional Connection • Each individual defines what an emotional connection means to him/her. The following are some basic characteristics that are Universal: • An emotional connection is a bundle of subjective feelings that meld – creating a bond between two people • The word emotional means to • arouse strong feelings • The in-depth feelings may be • happiness, disappointment, • rejection, sorrow, guilt or any of • thousands of emotions that • humans experience

25. Emotional Connection (cont’d) • A connection is a bond, a link or tie to something or someone • Pair the two words - emotional and connection and it transitions to a bond or tie to someone with whom a set of emotions are shared • Forge an emotional • connection – to build • a strong and • enduring • relationship!

26. Potentially Harmful Good Enough for Me (GEM) necessitates that when interacting with those you support, treat them the way you would wish to be treated. Empathy! If you allow yourself to be mistreated or you mistreat yourself – do not use GEM!

27. Sensitivity Formula Knowing what is sensitive behavior does not assure sensitive behavior! Sensitivity necessitates that the cognitive process be evoked by emotive (affective) influences. Know it + Feel it = Show It!

28. Sensitivity Indicators Are there behaviors indicative of one’s sensitivity to people with disabilities? Appropriately disposes gum Cries at a sad story Respectful of the environment Describes their emotions Appreciates the beauty in nature Avoids the use of vulgarity Treats others’ property as their own Forgiving Kind to animals What other indicators might you add and why?

30. Forget They don’t want you to forget that we do!

31. “Although I wouldn’t say it in public, I just don’t like to look at people who are retarded. It makes me feel queasy. I am sorry they are that way; but I don’t want to see them when I go in my backyard and I am absolutely against them using our beach.” Author Unknown

32. Resistance Why communities resist people with disabilities as their neighbors: • Incorrect perceptions of the new • neighbors • Negative experiences • Perceived decrease in • property values • Prejudice • Inaccurate information • Elitism

33. Stereotypes Prejudice is pervasive. People who are prejudiced tend to ascribe to any myth. New Yorkers are rude Older people don’t have sex Car salesmen are dishonest Blondes are flaky Politicians are crooked Adults with intellectual disabilities are children in adult bodies Which of these stereotypes do you believe?

34. We’re Over Here!

35. Courtesy Group # 1 Martin Luther King Barbara Streisand Thomas Edison Magic Johnson Leonard Bernstein Queen Elizabeth Henry Kissinger Albert Einstein Barbara Jordan Mother Teresa Madonna Henry Ford Babe Ruth “The Revered”

36. Group #2 You and me “Us”

37. “Outsiders” People who have failed a test Group #3

38. Failed Test There are many tests that one must pass! Can you walk up a flight of steps? If not – you are “physically handicapped” – test failed. Can you hear me when I speak? If not – you are “deaf” – test failed. Can you see the object across the room? If not – you are “blind” – test failed. Can you score 70 or more on an IQ test? If not – you are “intellectually disabled” – test failed.

39. Protectors Of Circle #2 We are committed to keep “those people” out of Circle #2!

40. The Gatekeeper No Outsiders Allowed!

41. Factors Influencing Courtesy • The more: • radical your clothing and hair style • pronounced your verbal accent • orthodox your religious beliefs • extreme your cultural • practices • disabled you are... • …the more • likely courtesy • will be withheld.

42. The Devil There is a devil. The devil is found in our behavior.

43. Universal Enhancement Police • I’m going to call the UE Police! UE THE UE POLICE Enforcers of Dignity and Respect

44. Respect Responsive

45. Responsive I’m coming! I’ll help you! An ability to recognize the importance of attending to the unmet needs of others

46. Respect Responsive Encouraging

47. Encouraging You did a great job sweeping. The carpet has never looked so clean. Supporting others in recognizing the importance of achieving the smallest of accomplishments and sharing in the celebration

48. Respect Responsive Encouraging Sensitive

49. Sensitive Don’t pay any attention to those guys. They’re just mean. Heyuk, heyuk, heyuk... He must think he’s a football player. A demonstration of empathy - a sincere attempt to acknowledge the pain and joy of others

50. What Is This? Thanks for letting me know what I’m eating!