Supported Employment

By Albert Van Kleeck

Van Kleeck and Associates, LLC

Do you ever have the feeling that you have been spinning your wheels for the past 25 years?

During the last several months with the start-up of Van Kleeck and Associates, I have been asked by several organizations to assist with the development of service options. Most of the conversations have been focused on assisting with the development and implementation of Supported Employment services so people can achieve their dream of a community-based job. I have been more than happy to provide whatever is needed to accomplish this goal. Indeed, my roots in this field are firmly planted in Supported Employment.

Changing Routine when Down Syndrome is a Factor

By Thomas Heuer

Like many people who share Down syndrome, my son Ryan is a creature of habit. I guess this is true for most people who don’t share Down syndrome as well, but perhaps not to the same degree as Ryan. Maybe it’s something in that extra chromosome.

Rethinking the Box – Part Two

By David Morstad

(continued from Rethinking the Box – Part One)

Creativity is, for all its mystique, a problem-solving process.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re a composer or a corporate trainer; whether you work in person-centered plan design or web design, it’s all about solving problems.  When those problems interact with patterns of thought and action, you have a box.  Sometimes, that’s a productive interaction and sometimes it’s not.  When a new pathway is needed, it’s time to bring new things inside and redefine that box.

Focusing on Ability

By Matthew Hobson

God loves all people. God has also given each of us gifts, and He loves us for our own gifts and talents. You may not immediately understand or recognize others’ gifts most of the time. It may take a while to see those unique talents, especially in those people with disabilities.

Others, who are not disabled, have the chance to demonstrate their talents in more situations, because they often have more opportunities than disabled people. Non-disabled people seem to have more experiences that enable them to discover their abilities.

Rethinking the Box – Part One

By David Morstad 

It happened again. We had a problem, and someone encouraged us to think outside the box. The box – the quintessential metaphor for perceived limits on the way we think and act when presented with a problem. Presumably, those limits keep us from adequately addressing increasingly complex problems and, so I’m told, we need to get out of it.

 As a metaphor, “thinking outside the box” is – after years– still very much embraced. Truthfully, I’m a little weary of it. I’m also a little wary of it. Weary, because it’s cliché; but wary because it has never adequately described the problem solving process. In fact, when it comes to how we conceptualize creative thinking, it may have done more harm than good.

Role Reversal

By Steve Ristow

 “Who dies at the age of 35?”

I can vividly remember asking this question in amazement after my parents described the life expectancy of my best friend with Down syndrome. Much has changed since that conversation some 30+ years ago. Medical advancements, better daily care, greater understanding, social integration, and other environmental factors have contributed to the lengthening of the life expectancy for people with developmental disabilities.  At Quiet Waters Outreach, it is not uncommon for us to serve people with developmental disabilities (DD) in their upper 60’s…praise God!

However, with any advancement comes new and challenging trends.

Guardianship and Rights

By Connie Horn

Sometimes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities need assistance with their decision making. Generally a guardian ensures the person is living in the most appropriate, least restrictive environment, has their medical needs met, and is treated with dignity in their life.

Why Not Dick or Jane?

By Ellen Hierl

Client, consumer, resident, patient, individual…all of these are labels. Why is it that we feel compelled to use labels to describe the people we support? Why not just use the person’s name? It seems pretty easy to use names. Don’t we do that with each other all the time? Well, frankly, no we don’t. 

“It’s got to mean something”

By Hollie M. Holt-Woehl

Recently two high school hockey players in Minnesota experienced spinal cord injuries while playing in high school games for their respective schools. One will never walk again; for the other it is still unknown.  In his first interview since the injury the 16-year-old boy, adjusting to the realities of his injury stated that he wanted to live a full life. “Whatever is normal at the time, I have to accept.” He said. “This is like a calling almost… It’s a mystery, but at the same time it’s got to mean something.” (“This is like a calling almost,” StarTribune, January 20, 2012.)

Family Support for People with Developmental Disabilities

By Cathy Ficker Terrill

There are more than 4.7 million citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the United States.  About 75% of these citizens do not have formal disability services.  They rely on their families for different levels of support.  Of the 25% citizens in the US receiving services, over 56% live with their families.  In some states as many as 80% live with their families.