There are many things that makes someone a good job coach. Here are 4 strong qualities that makes someone a successful job coach.
1. Adaptable: One needs to know how to adapt to change and recognize when something is not working and is able to form a task to the abilities of the person that they are working with.
2. Patience: Every person learns a different way and at a different rate, knowing the way that someone learns is the most important and successful information that a person can know.
3. Attention to detail: Pay attention to the small things, something very small can lead to not completing a task in the appropriate manner, not only paying attention to the detail of how they complete something but pay attention to how the person you are supporting is, something small can lead to issues with their whole day, things such as demeaner, body language and the way they talk or don’t talk during your time with them.
4. The most important is the WHY. : “Why are you there?”, “Why is that person there?”, it all comes down to the drive to help others, if someone is not happy or does not want to be where they are that shows in the way that they carry themselves, and the way they see things and the way they talk to people. It is human nature to feed off your environment and those around you, if you are a lump on a log the person you are supporting will see that and feel that and will adapt to that. Always remember your why don’t lose sight of why you are doing what you are doing and why you are where you are.
why question in vintage letterpress wood type stained by color inks
According to the dictionary, “Respects; Respecting; Respected is a way of treating or thinking about something or someone. If you respect your teacher, you admire her and treat her well.
People respect others who are impressive for any reason, such as being in authority — like a teacher or cop — or being older — like a grandparent. You show respect by being polite and kind. For a lot of people, taking your hat off is a show of respect. When people are insulted or treated badly, they feel they haven’t been treated with respect. You can respect things as well as people. Saying the Pledge of Allegiance shows respect to your country.” [1]
Respect is individually defined for each person through personal experience.
One of the ways we can demonstrate respect is through communication. “Communicating with someone who has an intellectual disability may be difficult because it is not as easy to know how you are being perceived or understood. A person with an intellectual, or cognitive disability may well have the same kinds of feelings, thoughts, concerns, passions, and struggles that you do. There may be more common ground than you think. If you begin with compassion, a positive attitude, and respect, you’ll be off to a great start.” [5]
Important
If they don’t want to talk, then don’t pressure them. They may feel uncomfortable or even scared just simply communicating with people so don’t feel as though you must talk to them to seem nice, respect their wishes, they will probably like you better for it.
Depending on the severity of the disability, the person you’re talking with could get frustrated, impatient, distracted, or even angry. Don’t take these things personally and stay calm. Just like everyone else in the world, they know when you’re tense and it stresses them. Relax and enjoy your conversation. Don’t push them away like everyone else does. How would you feel?
Give them time to express themselves. Some of them may be stammerers, slow to speak or have trouble connecting words. Be patient and allow them to express themselves at their own pace. They will not only feel appreciated but will also trust you more.
Everyone has something to teach us. Remember that. Pay attention and you will discover that you learn at least as much from them as they do from you.
Interesting…
Respect is individually defined for each person through personal experience.
Our personal definitions of respect are influenced by our personality, emotions, preferences, and cultural context. These elements may be difficult to define in the clearest and most objective terms. People with and without disabilities may have difficulty describing and explaining personal criteria for respect. We often learn about these things over time through relationships with people. Respect requires working to understand each person’s individual expectations for respect as we get to know people and build shared experiences. *2
When understanding how other people see and interpret the world around them, dialogue is our most effective tool.
“Being Respected Improves People with Disabilities’ and their quality of life.” Because of the importance of respect, as well as people with disabilities’ long history of being denied respect, the aim of this CQL study *3 was to examine the relationship between respect and disability, particularly in terms of quality of life. To do so, the study analyzed Personal Outcome Measures® data from 1,500 people with disabilities to determine what factors predict people with disabilities being respected, and how being respected impacts people with disabilities’ quality of life.” *4
“Findings revealed a number of disparities in terms of who was likely to be respected. For example, women with disabilities were 1.7 times less likely to be respected than men with disabilities. People with higher support needs were also significantly less likely to be respected than those with lower support needs; people with 24/7 support were 7.7 times less likely to be respected than those with support as needed. People with comprehensive behavioral support needs were also 2.0 times less likely to be respected than those without these support needs.” *4
“The study also revealed the crucial role disability service organizations can play in promoting the respect of people with disabilities. When organizational supports are in place – when organizations know what is important to the person regarding respect, ensure interactions with the person are respectful, and identify and implement supports that enhance the person’s self-image – people with disabilities are 166.7 times more likely to be respected.
Findings revealed, people with disabilities who are respected have higher quality of life in every single domain, ranging from 1.8 times more likely to realize personal goals, to 8.4 times more likely to be treated fairly compared to those not respected
According to the United Nations, “while freedom from want and fear are essential, they are not enough. All human beings have the right to be treated with dignity and respect” (Annan, 2005, p. 34). Yet, in our study, people with disabilities were less likely to have a number of rights present when they were not respected. Human and civil rights should be inalienable and not depend on others’ attitudes towards you. “Respect of and for [people with disabilities] means not only counteracting continuing discrimination, but recognizing their full personhood, ensuring they have opportunities, including the opportunities to make choices and take risks, and recognizing disability as an identity and community” (Friedman, 2018).” *4
The way we interact withy people with disability can demonstrate our respect for them.
Every day across the nation, Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a vital role in America’s workforce and economy by providing necessary supports and services to people with disabilities of all ages, including supports related to employment.
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) need people in their lives who provide them with assistance and instruction on completing tasks that most people take for granted. Professionals who provide this help and training are known as Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).
DSPs provide aid to people who suffer from a variety of disabilities and across a wide range of tasks, including transportation, personal care , cooking, and cleaning. The goal is to help people with IDD achieve a more comfortable level of independence.
The Role of a DSP
Historically, DSPs primarily served as caregivers for the people they supported. In the past few decades, however, the needs of those served began to change, and the roles of DSPs began to change as well. Today, the role of a DSP goes beyond caregiving and focuses more broadly on supporting people with disabilities to participate fully in their communities, live in integrated settings and seek competitive integrated employment.
Some of the roles of a DSP include:
Supporting engagement with the community by providing:
Support in less congregate and more individualized settings
Job coaching
Employment support
Transportation
Using creative thinking for accommodations to help people with disabilities be more independent.
Providing caregiving and support with activities of daily living, including:
Medication administration
Mobility assistance
Wound care
Accessing food
Working with the people they support to Advocate for rights and services, such as:
Accessing resources and opportunities in the community
Working with the employer to customize job duties
Providing emotional support
Interesting information
There are over 210,771 direct support professionals currently employed in the United States.
75.6% of all direct support professionals are women, while 24.4% are men.
The average age of an employed direct support professional is 47 years old.
The most common ethnicity of direct support professionals is White (61.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (15.1%), Black or African American (9.7%) and Asian (8.3%).
Direct support professionals are most in-demand in New York, NY.
The government industry is the highest-paying for direct support professionals.
In 2021, women earned 97% of what men earned.
7% of all direct support professionals are LGBT.
Direct support professionals are 72% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to government companies.
“The advent of direct support professionals has changed the way people with disabilities live. No longer are they dependent on their family member, doctor or other caregiver. They have a person to advocate for their needs, prevent abuse, and share their goals and aspirations.”*9
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for DSPs is expected to grow by 40 percent by 2026.”
“According to a recent study by the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL), DSPs are “crucial to support not only the health and safety but overall quality of life of people with disabilities”. This study also found that DSPs are essential “for the community inclusion and integration of people with disabilities”.”
Without DSPs the work can’t be done! DSP is the key for our excellent service.
Do you want to become a DSP? We provide trainnings and certifications for it. Contact us for more information and join our team of heroes today!
“March has been recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month since 1987 when President Ronald Reagan issued a public proclamation urging Americans to provide individuals with developmental disabilities “the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.”
