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Welcome to Language For Listening and our first blog post! This is Brian Kavanaugh, the founder of L For L, and I’m excited to share with you some of the ideas that motivate us.
At Language For Listening, we concentrate on enhancing the connection between adults with moderate to profound intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their support providers.
In simpler terms, we are referring to individuals who require significant assistance to live independently or engage in the community. While some can manage familiar tasks independently, others may necessitate support and supervision throughout all activities.
The 5 most common I/DD are autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Direct support providers can consist of professionals hired by an agency, a sibling, a parent, a grandparent, a volunteer or anyone else that cares for and provides support for a person requiring it.
What makes the relationship between an adult with I/DD and their direct support provider so unique?
There are many forms of support that originate in response to specific conditions and their clear goals or endpoints, such as:
Nurturing individuals through recovery from severe injuries or transformative life events.
Providing assistance to those navigating the challenges of aging.
Supporting individuals on the path to addiction recovery.
Aiding veterans in their reacclimatization to civilian life.
What distinguishes these relationships from those at the heart of Language for Listening is the enduring nature between an adult with I/DD and their direct support provider(s).
The average lifespan of a person is 77 years. For individuals diagnosed with moderate to profound I/DD, education services typically continue until the age of 21, varying by state (e.g., Michigan extends services until 26). This leaves, on average, 56 years of life after exiting the education system—constituting 78% of a person's life.
In the post-education phase, services for individuals with I/DD undergo substantial changes compared to the preceding 21 years. Typically, beyond family connections, the most prevalent relationship shifts from that of a teacher and student to one between an adult requiring daily living assistance and their direct support provider(s).
The focus of Language For Listening is on understanding and enhancing the form and function of this relationship.
How is the structure and nature of this specific relationship defined, and how can it evolve further?
To facilitate its development, what should a direct support provider be attuned to, ensuring valuable opportunities that can be embraced and acted upon?
KNOWLEDGE
How does a person receiving support collect and organize information to create knowledge? For example, is it through experience or by watching others?
PREFERENCES
How does someone create and store knowledge to shape their personal preferences? Ultimately, our actions are guided by how we aspire to experience each moment.
VALUE
How do individuals use their preferences to establish value in the world around them?
PATHS FOR GROWTH
Finally, how can a direct support provider utilize all this to inform paths for personal growth that are unique to each person they support?
Language For Listening enhances the ability to recognize how adults with moderate to profound I/DD shape their preferences and values. It facilitates the creation and communication of opportunities for growth and creativity, enabling the accumulation of knowledge. This, in turn, expands experiences and improves the articulation of value.