Special needs and mental health awareness. By Sara Jane Gorman
It is not easy to understand learning difficulties, when you have a learning disability, mental illness, other problems making yourself and others the same and similar me to be heard as well as seen. I am writing this book to show how my disability affects my day to day life and what help & support we want and need. sararevealed.blogspot.com sarajgorman@gmail.com
which is one of the reasons why I am writing this book based on my blog by Sara Jane Gorman
Contents page
Chapter One. Interduction
Chapter two. What is a learning disability and special needs?
Chapter three. What is Dyslexia?
Chapter four what is Dyspraxia?
Chapter five What is Dysgraphia ?
Chapter six What is Dyscalculia ?
Chapter seven. What is Autism?
Chapter eight what is mental health and illness.
Chapter nineAnger, Anxiety, ADHD.
Chapter ten Depression
Chapter eleven Borderline Personality
Schizophrenia and schizoaffective.
chapter twelve Mentoring
chapter thirteen counseling
Chapter fourteen suicide awareness and prevention
Chapter one Interduction
My name Sara Jane Gorman I was born with Autism, Dyslexia,
Dyspraxia, Epilepsy, Anxiety and Depression.
This book is based on my website I wrote back in 2007, just after my Gran died, with the support of my Mother and Sister. This was when I was working for Royal Wolverhampton Men-cap that was at the Science park, helps me out looking out for others similar if not the same as myself. In my website I may have written about the struggles my family have had fighting for support for me.
For eg; the way Dyspraxia has affected me all through my life.
Most difficulties I have overcome since childhood. I was very slow in school work but caught with achieving a fair amount of qualifications in college with support.
I had tried work experiences over my early adulthood years and had been taken off. It has only been the last sixteen years my skills have been discovered.
I was bullied in school, even in special schools.
I was twenty before I learned how to tie my shoes laces. My Aunt’s son my cousin Luke showed me when he was ten years old, I felt such a fool.
I used to be a visiting Lecturer in Learning Disability and Mental health, first for the Royal Wolverhampton Men - cap, then for the University Of Wolverhampton, also an Advocate and Befriender firstly for Royal Wolverhampton Men-cap, then One Voice Advocacy service, then Beacon Befriending service.
I have raised awareness to student professionals, such as learning disability nurses, social workers, paramedics, occupational therapists and more.
Therefore, I am writing this book not only to educate students professionals but to help those who are interested or and involved in the field of learning disability, mental health and more.
Whether you a parent, family member, carer, partner, friend, nurse, doctor, teacher, tutor, carer advisor, and more at all levels and abilities.
Making information accessible for special needs and disability.
For ten years I had been working for
the University Of Wolverhampton
it was great to raise learning
disability and mental health awareness
to students professionals such as the Learning
Disability nurses, social workers, paramedics,
occupational therapists etc. As a Visiting Lecturer
Living conditions were hard for everyone
in those times but disabled people struggle
to look after themselves where they can be
treated like babies and children or
neglected. Most disabled people feel live is not worth living because it can seem we don’t always get support when we need it, sometimes it happens when we don’t need it.
Ever since I was twenty three years old, I always wanted to be a writer.
Therefore, I am writing this book not only to educate students professionals but to help those who are interested or and involved in the field of learning disability, mental health and more.
Whether you a parent, family member, carer, partner, friend, nurse, doctor, teacher, tutor, carer advisor, and more at all levels and abilities.
Learning Disability and Mental Health - Mental Health Research | Mencap
- The causes of disabilities and mental illness.
- Type of disabilities and mental illness. A-Z Topics | Mental Health Foundation
- How disabilities and mental illness affect lives.
- How disabilities and mental illness can be supported.
Hi second years Occiupatient therapists students, if any of you at least are reading this. Hope you enjoyed the session at the University of Wolverhampton Walsall campus on Tuesday 18th October 2022, I hope I didn't bore you too much lol.
Occupational therapy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Types of disabilities and difficulties could be Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and more, best research for that is the Mencap website, Rethink, Mind, Sane, Cruise, The Good Samaritans, and more for mental illness. Tap disabilities and mental health in your search engine and the many sites you could learn from.
In fact, research shows that mental health problems are more common in people with learning disabilities. We do not fully understand the cause of these mental health problems, but as in the general population, a range of factors can play a part including genetics. physical ill health. psychological stress. https://mentalhealth-uk.org/help-and-information/mental-health-and-physical-health/#:~:text=Exercise%20is%20key%20for%20good%
You can advise someone to do something or and not to but you cannot them to do and don't do something. Motorvation is a hard thing and yet from my experience, what professionals were saying to me, I admit it is, comment sense but most things are easy said than done, if you are the person facing the problem, therefore never tell someone to stop or start doing something, which is likely makes them stressed, do it or don't do it more. Not the case in everything but most things are hard to take on board if no one came up with it in their childhood etc. Try to show empathy by taking an interest in finding out what the person enjoys, whether it is not only to help their mental health but to help their hobbies, education, career, etc. The idea of trying to support someone with mental illness is to try and bring positive lives, where the choices are theirs, not yours, bring in what they enjoy for them is bringing in more negative when we should be here to try and help them to see positive, what makes them happy.How Occupational Therapy Empowers Those with Mental Illness | Sheppard Pratt
- Help with motor skill development or grip supports to improve handwriting, teeth-brushing, dressing, and feeding abilities
- Self-regulation and emotional management techniques for people with behavioral disorders
- Advice to assist with social participation and confidence building
- Pain and fatigue management strategies
- Physically and or mentally your support for people could come in for people, such as at school, college, university, in the workplace, in their homes, etc.
- Study support, communicating with schools, colleges, etc, for example; if someone with Dyslexia, for example, has extra time support during exams, they may need help with reading questions for example.
- Kitchel tools at how such as opening bottles, cooking, etc.Occupational Therapy in Mental Health - Assessment & Intervention | OT (occupationaltherapyot.com)
- What is Occupational Therapy? OT Explained - RCOT
The answer is very unknown to know whether people can face mental illness without a learning disability. Can we face disabilities without Mental illness? Again an unknown but in my experience yes, I cannot speak for those who are the same if not similar to me. I find it causes me a lot of Anxiety to ask others for help a lot whether others' minds or not. We all need help with something at some time but when having a learning disability, even more so. However, learning disabilities do not go away but when living with learning disabilities, all of one's life, the support for some disabilities do get a bit less than what it would have been at the start of a person's life but depending on the disabilities and person, etc. Disability - Mind
My guess is that it is possible mainly when we face negative emotional issues to the point everyone does face mental illness, mainly how we are facing a money crisis, in this day and age, which has happened before but each time it does happen, it gets hard to cope with. It would be wrong to guess which is worse in the sense face mental illness with or without a learning disability, people with disabilities are likely to need more support to manage money, etc.
A learning disability can happen to anyone at any time, before, during, or after birth, affecting people physically or and mentally to the brain or and body.
How it affects people depends on the disabilities, mental illnesses, and the people who face them, which are different for different people.
We all have strengths and weaknesses like everyone else but we can take longer to learn than other people, depending on how much we struggle. We can learn new skills but there are limits to what we can learn, train, and put into a career, etc. How you support will depend on what people need support with, how much support people need etc. Either these things could be a person's strength or a person's weaknesses for example. Cooking, shopping, housework, housing, finding where to live, their health, education, their work, their social lives, and more.
What is Occupational Therapy? OT Explained - RCOT
MSc Occupational Therapy - University of Wolverhampton (wlv.ac.uk)
Occupational Therapy Team - City of Wolverhampton Council | Wolverhampton Information Network
Occupational therapist | Explore careers | National Careers Service
Interducing the purpose
of this writing.
story is to introduce
as much of life as person
past and present as I
am as possible,
my learning disability,
mental illness and
my career,
which is mostly based on
my life experience.
Also, to try help, students,
workers and
or more who involved in the
field
and people who face disabilities,
for who face
them themselves, and
people who them,
teach them support
them care for them etc.
No one can be forced to be
interested in
something if they are not but
do get me
wrong no one can be liked
from everyone,
I understand that but when
it comes to
learning disability etc,
there is a lot of
misunderstanding and
unawareness.
I think learning
disability,
mental
health and all problems
awareness
needs to be raised,
meaning for example;
conditions, illnesses,
diseases and more,
which should be
raised in schools,
colleges, universities,
workplaces and more.
It would interesting to what is like in
other countries
as far.
A lot of long stay
hospitals,
resident homes
etc closed
roughly from
2007 to 2010
in the UK.
You may learn.
“ what is the difference, the same, similar between mental health and illness”?
“ What is the difference, the same, similar between learning disability and difficulty”?
“What is the difference, the same, similar between anger and anxiety”?
“ what is the difference, the same, similar between Autism and Anxiety”?
“ What is the differences, the same, similarities between ADHD, Autism and Anxiety”?
“What is the difference, the same, similar between Schizoaffective and Bipolar”?
“What is the difference, the same, similar between Dyslexia and Dyspraxia”?
https://www.mencap.org.uk/learning-disability-explained/research-and-statistics/health/mental-health
The difference between and if not the same.
I bet wonder what I am talking about, well writing about when I call the title difference between, I bet you wonder what I mean. That is very understandable you may be thinking. What does she mean by The difference and the same.
Well you may have noticed I have written about some disabilities, difficulties, conditions etc, pretty similar if not the same to one another so this is what I am going to cover in this chapter.
Let me start with the differences and same between and in Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.
Research says that Dyslexia used to be a learning difficulty that causes people to struggle reading ,writing, spelling but that will always be the case I guess nothing had changed there because I think I have that all my life and I sure I not alone. However’ as I said earlier that does not mean the person cannot read at all, it is just difficulties along the way. Even those who can’t read and write thinks as much as those can read and write, they have knowledge and things to say and stories to tell. We not should not judge a book by its cover.
To be truthful I am uncertain whether or not I have Dyslexia as well as Dyspraxia even I was Diagnosed twice for Dyslexia, maybe three times but never for Dyspraxia, even those I have struggled with taking in what I have read, struggling with reading certain words and spelling certain words; motor skills meaning physical skills so I guess I do have both but whether or professionals etc see it that way I don’t know.
By own experience I cannot help but sum up what it maybe like for others as well. Not sure whether is possible to have Dyslexia and Dyspraxia or you can just have one or the other. I guess so because I think I have always had both. You may think if I have been diagnosed for Dyslexia three times and it came up that I am, that I must and yes I believe I must be. The reason why I said I am uncertain is because Dyslexia and Dyspraxia are so similar as far as reading and writing is concerned. If you have got both it can be hard to tell which reading, writing etc, which is dyslexia which is dyspraxia.
What I forgot to write about in the last chapter is memory, here’s an example.
Going back to forty odd years ago when I was in school, when I was only say seven and eight, I have forgotten that day. I was in handwriting lessons. The teacher told us to miss a line between the date and title, then miss a line the title before we carried on writing.Naughty me forget all that as far as the teacher was concerned. All because of that as she was looking at my work, she slapped the ruler across the back of my legs.
This was in a special school
Going by that experience I do not have any hard feelings for what she did, that was the generation at the time. Despite of that going by today’s standards, she should not been allowed to what she did but maybe she did have she did because she had to at the time because no one really understood disabilities, difficulties etc but then again that could have been anyone who forgotten to do as she said, it so happened I was the child who forgot.
I guess there maybe a lot of people who may it as it was abuse in today’s world. I will honest to say I don’t think in the way I see it now in the she must have saw if. I guess her intentions were punish me to remember next time to miss the lines when I was told to, not abuse me. However’ I do agree, there are worse things I could very well have done to deserve the punishment I had, not that I was a perfect child because no one is.
I do not blame her because I think she was following the system at the time, which in most thing weren’t necessary unfair but there were worse things to be punished for, which back then minor and major things no one got away with on the whole.
Before I change the subject, I maybe wrong this but maybe the easiest way to tell the difference between Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, is the motor skills problems being Dyspraxia and the reading and writing problem but not necessarily, you would think it would be the case but not sure it is as simple as that Sorry this is confusing isn’t it?
However would adds up to this Dyspraxia can cause the problem with gripping, incudes gripping pens and pencils for example. When I was in school I did not know had Dyspraxia neither did anyone else. However’ everyone knew me or most people and myself knew what was then clumsy, that i broke things etc.
Back relations from others was like punishment, which like to me at the time, but it was very understandable in one way. When I used to write and I even the same today example, without meaning to I press to hard on the paper. Teachers always wondered I guess why I was sharpening pencils at the desk every five minutes lol, as easily broke them without meaning to.
Just May you have worked the same and different between the two learning difficulties that sound the same but different, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, maybe I have explained some not, look and see if a link written by someone else helps. https://www.readandspell.com/difference-between-dyslexia-and-dyspraxia
The differences between dyscalculia and dysgraphia, is there anything the same one another?
Dyscalculia is a mathematical learning difficulty similar to Dyslexia but causes a lot more Anxiety, which I face myself. where for me I cannot really work out maths in my head.
I have use my fingers, calculator, cubes when I was a child etc, then most of my maths were wrong answers. But Again back then I didn’t know what the problem was neither did others who knew me but what we did know, we didn’t understand why I couldn’t learn like other people.
I know I wasn’t the only one struggling with this but I didn’t realize that at the time, I thought I was different to everyone and without trying to play on sympathy and attention, I felt as life wasn’t living at times but these as I am learning what my problems are, I am learning to accept the support I need, I don’t feel like the stupid one anymore.
I have learned over the years now I just slower than other people and I am not alone as I thought I was.
Though out my childhood,
I was on medication as a baby and
child for Epilepsy, which
was called back then called phenobarbital.
It made me very hyperactive and moody,
feeling sleepy and awake,
high as a kite at the wrong times.
I couldn’t focus on my schoolwork,
I had no direction or road safety
awareness back then,
I was a danger zone to others and myself.
Naturally back then everyone including
myself who knew me thought this was
just me anyway. When l was twelve to thirteen,
my seizures what we would say in today’s
terms back then they were called fits we’re getting less.
My took me to the doctors to see whether or not I could stop taking the medication and why.
I was allowed to stop taking them but
as a short time went on,
I started to learn and be aware
of the world around whereas
when I was on the medication, it was like I was in a dream world.
Making information accessible for special needs and disability.
Making information accessible for people with disabilities and special needs.
First of all, what is special needs? What is a learning disability?
How are they the same, similar or and different?
There are a number of types of special needs that cause learning difficulties and disabilities, which may or may not link together. Such as autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome, and more.
Support.
Accessible information websites and apps.
Easy read
Large print
Verbally phone, video call face to face etc.
Language of autism
Sensory difficulties, differences and sensitively.
Change of routine, routine.
Consistency.
Obsessive interest, deep in a certain knowledge, topic etc.
speaking, little or no speech.
Communication.
Employment and education.
In my life and I believe I am not alone,
I found most employers do
not understand learning disability,
mental illness or and other problems.
Not everyone takes notice of the disability
discrimination act in the UK,
not sure about other countries.
Again better was now but we still have a long way to go, still life goes on.
We are still health and safety hazard to lot of employers,
not that I am saying that is wrong to protect our safety
but there still should be ways of us having a career
like other people, with right tools and support of
course that cost money that UK government just hasn’t got,
without making the country worse off,
I would interested how this works for other countries,
surely we are not alone.
We need the right support to keep healthy
and safe to work in our limits of our disabilities,
mental illness and other conditions, problems and more.
Employers, trainers and the government etc ;
need learning disability and mental health
On the other hand I was put in some fields not for me,
even then I weren’t in the right fields and places.
My Mother lives in New York and they go by
what people are capable of and what they
take interest in and they can learn and
train for.
The idea behind the
mental illnesses and more.
I have written this piece
of work for
those interested in the
field of learning
disability, mental health
and other
problems, to help those with disabilities, mental health, other and those who are in their lives.
awareness training.
Not everyone can work IT, the internet
etc but not everyone can manage factory work either .
In my youth for example the government
would put you just anywhere with or any,
very little support to get us doing something,
I no problem doing what I could do or learn to do,
which was not a lot to start with.
Six weeks training on YTS for example
wasn’t enough time for me to learn a job,
where they ended up getting rid of me,
cause they just did not have the patience.
I guess when I think about it now some reasons
in some things I tried, which weren’t to be,
was the field I was in and others were the people.
At the time, because
I was very young, I just got frustrated where
everything was trying was not a success but
I could not see the wood through the trees.
I tried elderly people’s homes, Day centers,
supermarkets, a shop a hospice,
riding stable’s with other animals as well
as horses and ponies, the library which
like the work and the people,
which was a living in job.
I did and passed my
stable management
exams, I tried to pick
on what I did not do
good at in schools English,
maths etc.
However’ things did improve for me as time went
like working Men-cap I enjoyed, raising awareness
of disability and mental health, Advocate,
speaking up for disability and mental health.
This gave me experience of working in Advocacy
groups. I learned how present information in power point,
passed my ITQ level in Microsoft Office 2007,
in power point and word processing,
ITQ Level two internet and email.
It taught me to give talks to student professors
such as learning disability, mental health nurses,
social workers, paramedics and more as Visiting Lecturer.
I have also been a private Advocacy for what was
One Voice, Wolverhampton.
Interdiction to Advocacy skills GATACS2014
(Generic Advocacy
Training and Consultancy Services)
qualification.
Suggesting options to people with
disabilities on matters that bother
then or need help with. Example; benefits,
getting a disability bus pass etc.
Volunteer trainee Teaching Assistant
Penn Hall special day school.
Malt-ins Day Centre Wolverhampton
for Elderly and Disabled people.
Work, making hot and cold drinks.
Key skills PowerPoint, chairing minutes of meetings,
supporting disabled people to chair meetings,
communication, time management and IT skills.
Highest English qualification,
English Function skills Level one.
Interduction to Mentoring skills,
Level one and two Mentoring.
The government spends money on the wrong things.
The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.
The benefits system has always been a mess,
there a lot people on benefits
who should not be as well those who are
on them for good reasons. Most of one’s who
should not could work but do not
want to yet the ones who are on them
for good reasons want to work.
If you are involved learning disability
and mental health, whether you are
someone who faces disability, mental illness or
and other problems, illnesses conditions etc or
and you are a parent, partner, family member,
friends, support worker, carer, nurse, school staff, children, teenagers, young adults ; etc who support and
doctor, paramedic, teacher, tutor, lecturer,
employer office, etc,
my email is sarajgorman@gmail.com
if you wish to get touch, on anything you
may have read what I have written or and
maybe you have in my lectures at
the University Of Wolverhampton or involved in work
I have done for Men-cap or anywhere else in the
disability and health field etc.
I lecture things, like accessible information,
easy read we need to avoid too much jargon etc,
you may need thing like Brail for the
blind sign language courses to help you support .
The could be more.
You need to balance what they person might
have done already, what they want to,
what they can do and even what they want to
learn to do.
Consider health and safe as well
qualifications they have and
what they need in what they want to do.
Careers for disabilities. Eg; creative jobs,
such as writers, artists, poets band more; mentoring,
coaching, counseling, Advocacy, ,
office, Administrative etc is likely to be for people with physical conditions, disabilities etc.
Those who haven’t got physical disabilities,
conditions etc, maybe shop work, cleaning, building,
gardening etc.
Learning disability and mental health history.
I have raised awareness to student professionals, such as learning disability nurses, social workers, paramedics, occupational therapists and more.
Therefore, I am writing this book not only to educate students professionals but to help those who are interested or and involved in the field of learning disability, mental health and more.
Whether you a parent, family member, carer, partner, friend, nurse, doctor, teacher, tutor, carer advisor, and more at all levels and abilities.
In past to other people,
people with disabilities seemed different to them.
They were labeled, treated like babies and
children even when they were adults.
People used words like mentally handicapped
instead of disabled, such other words as sub
normal, mental, backward, eternal,
a menace to society or and a burden to society.
Over centuries, years, decades etc,
there has never been a balance between
support and independence,
mostly it had been all or nothing.
Most people have been neglected or
support tends happen when it is too late
they do not need it or someone is around all the time but again needed when someone is not there.
People were in institutions had no or very little contact
with the outside world. This had a very big affect on
people’s lives. I guess a lot people would have
suffered with Anxiety and Depression.
People with disabilities were misunderstood
very much a lot for those who they are not.and idiocy, liege normally misunderstood,
seen etc as drunk in the eyes and mind of society.
In the middle age, it is believed that
mental illness was used in religion.
Negative attitudes were around the
18th century onwards in American,
leading sigma towards those with
mental illnesses.
as others thought they were in sane or mad.
What is a learning disability?
with everyone.
Attitudes have been getting
better in the last so many years
but we still have a long way to go.
People who are not disabled were
viewed as normal but what normal
at the end of the day?
Everyone is a human being.
A learning disability is a limited amount of intellectual, ability and difficulty, which may affect education, employment, household skills, shopping, managing money, socializing, personal skills, looking after one’s self etc. However’ not everyone is the same, like everyone, people have different strengths and weaknesses to one another. This may depend on the disabilities the person faces and even the person themselves.
It can happen to anyone thankfully not to everyone at any time. It could be before birth, during, any time, any age after.
It can affect the body or and the brain, which maybe caused by a brain tumor, injury, trauma, accident, illness etc, depending on the learning disability etc or and people, caused by whatever has happened to the Mother or and the child.
The person may take longer than other people to do things or not at all. Even that may vary those to the person and how their problems may affected them, also depending what is they are trying to do.
Again levels of support they need may depend on what they struggle with and how much.
Difference between learning disability and difficulty is this is dis the difficulty, a bility is ability the strength. Difficulty is the struggle, what we need support with.
Our abilities are our strengths but our difficulties slow us down.
Each one of us faces them in different ways
As for special needs, we are not intending to be a
center of attention,
we do not see ourselves as anyone special,
it means we are facing the difficulties,
we are needing
the support for our needs.
It also means special education,
meaning special education needs,
needing support with our education.
We need support for when what we need it for not when and what we don’t.
Disabilities, difficulties and special needs can happen to anyone at any time but thank goodness it does not happen to everyone.
It can happen before, during or any time after birth, caused by accidents, illnesses etc, which affects the body or and mind.
Even today there is a lack of awareness from
society about disability, mental health and
other problems. Society did not have confidence
in people. We were treated unequally and we
felt as if we were not part of society.
Today society is starting to learn about
learning disability and mental health.
Most disabled people in those times
begged for food and money off the streets.
In Victorian times in the 1800s the 19th
century were thought about as cripple,
handicap, freaks, etc.
Warehouses we’re responsible for disabled people too.
I guess the way society was back then
it would have caused those facing disabilities,
mental illness and other problems a lot of
misunderstandings with others. Where society
back then didn’t have confidence in those
who were slow to work, react, response, etc.
https://www.open.ac.uk/health-and-social-care/research/shld/timeline-learning-disability-history
They were in industrial ares, with say widows,
orphans, alcoholics.
Other people with disabilities were put in
poorhouses or almshouses.
In 19th century, the treatment for mental
health was cure, incerlating and shocking.
Some asylums were poor cared for in
institutions with a lack of compassion.
Disabled people were treated in the
abbey a type of church and hospitals,
they were made to say prayers and
other religious things.
people who faced Mania, dementia,
melancholy, relapsing mania, hysterical,
Warehouses we’re responsible for disabled people too.
I guess the way society was back then
it would have caused those facing disabilities,
mental illness and other problems a lot of
misunderstandings with others. Where society
back then didn’t have confidence in those
who were slow to work, react, response, etc.
https://www.open.ac.uk/health-and-social-care/research/shld/timeline-learning-disability-history
They were in industrial ares, with say widows,
orphans, alcoholics.
Other people with disabilities were put in
poorhouses or almshouses.
In 19th century, the treatment for mental
health was cure, incerlating and shocking.
Some asylums were poor cared for in
institutions with a lack of compassion.
Disabled people were treated in the
abbey a type of church and hospitals,
they were made to say prayers and
other religious things.
people who faced Mania, dementia,
melancholy, relapsing mania, hysterical,
Chapter two. What is learning difficulties, Special needs and disabilities?
What is a learning disability?
It can affect lives in huge different ways such as household skills, shopping, money, health, education, work, social lives, friendships, relationships, family and more.
It is easy to get confused with disability, disability, difficulties and poor mental health.mental illnesses.
People with disabilities can face poor mental health but don’t need disabilities necessarily to face poor mental health, the same either way round.
It is not always necessary that you need to face disabilities, difficulties or and special needs to face poor mental health.
As for the difference between learning disability and difficulty, learning difficulties does not affect intellects as learning disabilities do.
As I said this dis is the difficulties. Special needs means needing support for difficulties.
Abilities mean the strengths.
The difficulties slow us down. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/learning-disabilities/
Saying this is the case with everyone.
Attitudes have been getting
better in the last so many years
but we still have a long way to go.
People who are not disabled were
viewed as normal but what normal
at the end of the day?
Everyone is a human being.
A learning disability is a limited amount of intellectual, ability and difficulty, which may affect education, employment, household skills, shopping, managing money, socializing, personal skills, looking after one’s self etc. However’ not everyone is the same, like everyone, people have different strengths and weaknesses to one another. This may depend on the disabilities the person faces and even the person themselves.
It can happen to anyone thankfully not to everyone at any time. It could be before birth, during, any time, any age after.
It can affect the body or and the brain, which maybe caused by a brain tumor, injury, trauma, accident, illness etc, depending on the learning disability etc or and people, caused by whatever has happened to the Mother or and the child.
The person may take longer than other people to do things or not at all. Even that may vary those to the person and how their problems may affected them, also depending what is they are trying to do.
Again levels of support they need may depend on what they struggle with and how much.
Difference between learning disability and difficulty is this is dis the difficulty, a bility is ability the strength. Difficulty is the struggle, what we need support with.
Our abilities are our strengths but our difficulties slow us down.
Each one of us faces them in different ways
As for special needs, we are not intending to be a
center of attention,
we do not see ourselves as anyone special,
it means we are facing the difficulties,
we are needing
the support for our needs.
It also means special education,
meaning special education needs,
needing support with our education.
We need support for when what we need it for not when and what we don’t.
Disabilities, difficulties and special needs can happen to anyone at any time but thank goodness it does not happen to everyone.
It can happen before, during or any time after birth, caused by accidents, illnesses etc, which affects the body or and mind.
Chapter three Dyslexia awareness.
When most people talk about Dyslexia, they think people with Dyslexia cannot read and write, that is not the case. We just have difficulties along the way, which may be for letters the wrong way round for eg; bad, dad, same with say numbers 23, 32.
Some may get there left and right mixed up.
Get confused with bs and ds for example; even psychologists and qs.
Miss words out of sentences.
Struggle to understand what they have read.
When they read small print may feel to them as if words are jumping off the page screen etc.
They may not remember what they read or and they may have only remembered some of what they have read not all, the same with listening too. These days with so much IT most people watch a lot of videos etc, wouldn’t it be interesting to know how much one can take from watching a video or tv say compared to listening to someone directly talking to you face to face? How much can you pick up?
Some people’s” concentration gets affected easily, like mine, such nosies off IT devices, door knocks, a lot of people talking etc, not that I am complaining as these things have to happen at times but this how certain learning difficulties etc affect people.
For most people it can be a struggle for them to read a whole book and that is one of my problems too. Although I read just a few whole books but I forgotten which ones I did read and what they were about.
Sometimes I tend to review books write when I am reading and research. Even those who can’t read and write have knowledge, tell stories etc. Never judge a book by it’s cover.
Similar to Dyspraxia, Dyslexia has positives such as being creative and talented in different ways, maybe in other areas too.
https://exceptionalindividuals.com/jobs-for-dyslexics/
How can you support people with Dyslexia?
Before I do anything as a person who has faced
Dyslexia from my experience, assessments by checking people’s strengths and weaknesses.
supporting though study and work-placements; extra time in exams, at least up to half hour.
accessible studying and exam materials, like colored paper, large print, different colored over layers, certain size font easy for them to read etc. Always ask the person what is accessible for them to start with.
Chapter four What is Dyspraxia
Ben’s Mum is concerned because only she knows his struggles. Ben worries in case people think he is stupid if he asks others for help a lot. A lot of people are offering support in areas he can cope with rather than cannot, which what is concerning his Mum.
Ben can read and write but he not remember or understand what he’s read, he needs support aids, easy read, accessible information, clear for all.
He has Autism as well.
What sort of help does Ben need? What I have written in the text is just examples of support, maybe you can research online, the library etc.
What is concerning Ben’s Mum and why?
Therefore, you may be wondering, what does Dyspraxia have to do with Saliva gland cancer ? That is understandable. To be honest nothing really, do not to face Dyspraxia to face Saliva glad cancer. However’ me and family are not sure how long I had the lump before my Mum discovered it at the age of seven but I have always struggled with my month eating.
swallowing etc anyway with my month and tongue, whereas the lump was inside my throat but all the same they all add up and make you wonder whether not both problems started during while I was born. Therefore, I am not only speaking for me but for others who may have faced the same if not similar.
Due to the amount of difficulties people face with Dyspraxia, it causes us a huge amount of Anxiety and Depression, which we can get frustrated with what we do struggle, which where of right tools, aids, support etc needs to be around. This could also mean mental health support and for people all ages needing to know why they struggle. Those who do not know they face Dyspraxia, funding needs to go into assessments, Diagnosis’s and the support they do need.
Also training and qualifying, those who want be physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist, which is what could have done with from childhood and plenty other people who have always faced Dyspraxia and other conditions etc. I just hope today’s generation and others to come get better support.
On the positive side people with Dyspraxia can be creative in some areas of IT but not others. Saying that I have found that there have not been many IT courses. Mind you the Covid lockdown did not help as everything was limited.
I can only speak for myself and my strengths, which is power point, word processing, creative writing, drawing, painting etc, which are likely to be different for different people.
Dyspraxia needs to be taken very serious
as it is a physical hidden learning difficulty
that is not noticeable,
which is why it is a hard
condition to understand.
It is not illness or disease,
it is long -life condition that affects
people’s lives mentally as well
physically.
It can be linked to Autism.
However’
with the life time conditions being
such a hidden learning difficulty,
it is understandable why it can be hard
for others to take seriously.
Where people with Dyspraxia
can be misunderstood as
clumsy, spill ing something
on purpose etc;
for example but all the same people with
Dyspraxia need to be understood.
No one can really tell unless they spend a
lot of time with the person, unless they know
them really well like family etc.
Dyspraxia is caused by a brain injury or a
stroke, in fact it is similar to a stroke where
one side of the body and brain is weaker that the other.
In my case it is my left hand side but
some may be affected on their right hand side.
It can slow people down doing physical skills
such as sewing, sport, cooking, housework,
even shopping, carrying, lifting, cleaning teeth,
tying shoes laces and more.
It may affect such skills as road sense, driving, riding a bike.
Coordinate, grip, etc.
With drinks for example; they be able to only do one thing at a time, which may slow them done.
Such as only carrying one drink at a time because the one side of the body and brain may be stronger than the other, depending which side of the brain is damaged. With me, it is the left hand side of the brain, which affects the left hand side of my body mostly.
Support and treatment a person really needs from as soon as it is aware they face dyspraxia, the younger they are the better. Psyiotherpy or and Occupational Therapy, maybe also muscle exercises etc to try to make them stronger.
Mentally it affects reading and writing in
the same way as Dyslexia where other
conditions link such Dyscalculia https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-dyscalculia
https://study.com/academy/lesson/dysgraphia-math-difficulties-accommodations.html
It does not stop people living their own
life or learning with the right support, but on
the positive side they can be creative,
different people in different ways.
However’ it is important to except
anything from anyone because there
different forms of
Dyspraxia.WWWhttps://exceptionalindividuals.com/about-us/blog/what-are-the-three-types-of-dyspraxia/
https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/signs-and-symptoms-of-dyspraxia
https://www.dyspraxia.ie/Adults-with-Dyspraxia-DCD
Motor skills difficulties, for eg dressing,
cleaning teeth, cutting fingers and toe’s nails
, chopping up vegetables and more.
Verbal impact speech difficulties such as
stuttering, may be speaking too loud, quiet etc.
Oral difficulties moving the mouth and tongue,
keeping month and teeth clean,
gripping the toothbrush correctly etc.
To be fair over the years dental hygiene
has slightly improved to what it where
such toothbrushes as electronic toothbrushes
have been around for years. In fact,
I had one for my twenty - first just over
thirty years ago. Since then has been
such tools as water picks etc.
Looking at the research of forms dyspraxia,
I cannot see you can face one or the
as I face motor skills problems,
I stuffer with my speech at times and I may talk too loud or quiet at times,
I do not notice but others do.
In my case this is because, which
maybe too my dyspraxia.
My Mum noticed a lump when
I was say four seven years of age,
little did we know it was a lump
because it was only a size of a pea.
Mum noticed not me because
I felt nothing there to bother me at all.
My Mum
took me to the GP at time, he/she said,
can’t remember but anyway
they said it best left alone, it is probably a cystic.
At the age of twenty - three I was doing work
experience in an elderly peoples’ home,
l was on my lunch break in the staff room,
the cook had over cooked the strew,
I was struggling to swallow and felt the
lump getting bigger.
I was living Owstely in Shropshire at the time,
I shared flat with two young
women my age at the time
with learning disabilities
and we both had the same
support workers from social
services and one the support
workers took me to gps.
It was 1992,
I had my first operation
December 6th of that year,
the home Christmas, had
my first hospital appointment
in the new year, they told me and,
my Mum it was a cancerous lump
does not spread but I have to limp
glands out, then fifteen days of
radiotherapy, where I felt more
I’ll with the treatment than the
cancer thankfully I came out of it.
Since having had that operation,
due scar tissue at times food,
drink tends to the wrong way at times,
which can tend to cough and choke
but it is not every time I eat and drink.
Dyspraxia study.
Ben is seven years old who was diagnosed by a an Occupational Therapist. This was a written report that outlined Ben’s condition. He was struggling with physical skills like doing up his buttons, tying his shoe laces and more.
Dyspraxia and me.
I had been working for the University Of Wolverhampton for eleven years, lecturing students professionals on and off, such as learning disability nurses, Paramedics, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists etc.
Dyspraxia needs to be taken very seriously, it’s not an illness or disease, it is an hidden long term psychical learning difficulty. It can affect people mentally as well as physically but the seriousness of Dyspraxia is the psychically hidden more so how it may affect people mentally.
It does not stop anyone doing anything at all but it just slows people down where causes us to take longer than others to do things. It is not understood because people with Dyspraxia can walk and talk but it may not be the case for everyone who faces a learning difficulty and condition.
However’ it is important to except anything off anyone, it can vary from person to person.
I have lived with Dyspraxia for fifty four years since birth. To start with, it was unaware but research grew as the years went on. https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/blog/2018/10/08/dyspraxia-strategies-that-can-help
I was born very quickly, though lack of oxygen to the brain. I was hyperactive and I had Epilepsy asa child, it came back when I was thirty one and stopped when I was forty three. I have always had family support.
I feel it is very important for a person to be assessed and diagnosed as young as possible in order in hopes of getting the right support but it may be different for different people.
Psychical difficulty.
Difficulty doing up zips, shoe laces, looking after babies, children, getting dressed etc for example. This may cause people a lot of anxiety and frustration.
What is iDyspraxia? Dyspraxia (Developmental Co - ordained disorder) (DCD)
Dyspraxia is a developmental co - oration disorder which affects movement but not intelligence. However’ the condition may slow people down.
dyspraxia is a hidden psychical and mental learning difficulty, which affect balance, coordination, grip but affects reading, writing comprehension, math’s similar to Dyslexia but Dyspraxia also affects people’s physically, such skills as sport, learning to drive and more.
Mentally it can affect reading, writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation, comprehension, maths in similar way to Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia.
Cause.
If the person was born before 37 weeks into the pregnancy, prematurely.
Low weight birth, lack of oxygen to the brain, brain, injury, trauma.
It is unclear whether or not Dyspraxia is family related.
If the Mother was talking drugs or drinking alcohol.
Treatment for (DCD) Pysotherpy. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder-dyspraxia-in-adults/
Types of Dyspraxia
Going by research I read on the types of Dyspraxia. I have face most of the difficulties in most of the types of Dyspraxia such as motor Dyspraxia jumping, skipping, running, dressing. verbal Dyspraxia speech difficulties, Oral dyspraxia, problems with mouth, throat, tongue, saliva, sallow ing etc.
Some these skills I have over come such as difficulties with holding my knife and folk, cutting up food etc.
Through out my life I have had my strengths and weaknesses in reading and writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation etc but I have always been weak at maths.
Chapter five What is Dysgraphia?
Dysgraphia is a handwriting difficulty and disability, where they struggle to keep writing neat and tidy, where they lined paper with margins on.
Dysgraphia is a handwriting learning difficulty impairment.
People can read and write but
our writing may not be neat and
tidy without lines and margins on pages.
explaining thoughts on paper to make sense to readers,
planning and organizing our work, ideas etc.
we may struggle to grip pens and pencils.
We may try to avoid writing, drawing,
coloring as much as possible.
It affects the ability to create automatic letters,
numbers etc.
Dysgraphia May slow down people’s writing,
reading, tasks, coursework etc.
Chapter Chapter six What is Dyscalculia?
What is Dyscalculia?
When struggling to count money, we maybe able to count a pound in ten pennies, two fifty pennies, four twenty pence pieces, two ten pence pieces, but only able to count so far so we may put down all the money we have for someone to count.
Dyscalculia can cause memory problems so that may mean a lot of reversing for them, support homework as well as in class, which it maybe helpful if they know people out of school college etc, like friends, family etc who can maybe some support.
It is understood no one can help them during exams other than maybe reading the questions out, this may not be necessary your job but examiners should makes sure the papers are accessible as possible, whether it is on the internet or paper base.
Talk through with them what they are having difficulty with.https://www.dyscalculia.org/dyscalculia-therapy
Never discriminate people, dyscalculia like most learning difficulties slow people down. For example; a ten year old maybe normally getting to grips with fraction’s but someone of age the of ten with Dyscalculia, may be still struggling with adding and subtract. This maybe the case the same from say 5 to 105.
Never tell the person to say their times tables etc for eg; in front of the class unless they and you are condition the person has learned of by heart.
Most people who heard them may not see it as a problem but the person may feel embarrassed what people may think if they may mistakes, even though everyone makes mistakes, unless the person gives you otherwise. https://www.wlv.ac.uk/current-students/student-support/faculty-student-services/maths-support-centre/
When I was in school and college, teachers and tutors knew I faced difficulties in maths but were not aware of the possibility of me having Dyscalculia. I still don’t know whether or not I have the learning difficulty.
I remember saying to the Nursery nurse when I was about seven, I only have ten fingers, five on each hand, I can’t count anymore, she laughed.
She said, when say she said, she didn’t say it in my words but alone those lines. For eg; 5+3=8 put up eight fingers, the small number is 5, then 6, 7, 8. She even encouraged me to add on say my pencil, pencil case etc if needs be.
You could try to encouraging people to use cubes, a ruler, beads etc.
However’ always speak to the person and find out they feel comfortable to learn. Dyscalculia is a life time learning difficulty, some adults may not like child like for eg; different colored beads or tubes.
There may others ways to support them, they may feel comfortable.
Be patient because Dyscalculia slows the brain down, although it is understood you only have so much time as well, which means if today is not a good day, try another or someone else could help them.
However’ like other problems, there are different types of dyscalculia, some people may struggle more so than others.
It maybe hard to diagnose but without being diagnosed, it is difficult to know what support or and treatment people may need. It can be hard because the disability is not only caused by a difficulty.
Lexical. The person may find it hard to read mathematics symbols.
Graphical. Difficulty writing mathematics symbols.
Indeognostic. Finding it hard to mathematics relationships.
People with dyscalculia may have difficulty with subtypes, it is a mathematical learning difficulty.
Operational. Finding it hard to perform in specified math operation. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/29342
https://orbrom.com/dyscalculia-learning-disabilities
I understand everyone wants to achieve but most people with Dyscalculia may need a lot time to study for exams, so it may be a long time or not at all when they are ready and also needing a lot of support during in studying time. Do not consider maths exams unless them and you feel they are ready.
Dyslexia with numbers. Eg; difficulty with basic maths 4+2=6 6-5=1, 30-22=18, wrong answers, right answer 12. where people may get confused with maths signs such as * - + =
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/conditions/dysgraphia
https://www.sparklearningedu.com/dysgraphia-dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a mathematical learning difficulty, that slows the brain down, maybe caused by.
It could be through brain damage, injury, trauma, stroke, even stress etc, where it slows the brain down. It affects concentration and understanding in maths and numbers but no one really knows what causes Dyscalculia.
whatever affects the way we think or try to think in the case maybe.
We find it hard to compose and decompose numbers.
Difficulty with numbers patterns..
We may forget maths facts.
We may face difficulties with difficulties with algorithms., number order, forgetting/ losing things, information, logins, passwords, numbers of deadlines etc.
counting, money, managing money, paying, bills, shopping etc.
poor memory, numbers, codes, addresses, passwords, directions, maps, left, right, upside down, back to front, navigating etc.
which also causes people a lot of anxiety.
It can happen to people all ages.
We may struggle with counting,
working out maths in our heads,
rounding up numbers, poor calculation skills,
measuring, weighing, mental maths, maths problems etc.
We may try to avoid anything to do with maths.
However’ there should be support and
help for maths and anxiety.
Visual - spatial memory
Reading clocks, telling the time.
Dyscalculia gives people a lot of stress, making people anxious even depressed. Dyscalculia is hard to understand unless you have learning difficulty yourself like anything really.
As for the cause, it is hard to know what the cause is. I can only go from my experience.
They may find it hard to count backwards.
Difficulty in estimating numbers.
Difficulty in remembering numbers facts, such as tables, minutes of the day, seconds in an hour, etc.
Value of numbers, half of numbers for eg; half of 50 is 25, multiplying, subtract, fractions, adds, division etc.
poor calculation skills.
We may avoid hard tasks.
Poor mathematicians ability.
Poor spelling
Finding it hard to borrow numbers.
Not good posture and fatigue.
Dyscalculia core numbers and reasoning difficulties.
Dyslexia memory
Dyspraxia visual spatial
Dyscalculia is not a learning difficulty that have difficulties easy to understand. Such counting takes longer for people with Dyscalculia than other people.
Numbers can be easily mixed up, missed etc. For eg; some people may struggle with understanding the word seven and number 7. For eg; 7+7=14 seven add seven is fourteen, which we may get confused on.
Chapter seven. What is Autism?
Autism is a long - life condition,
which mostly links with the mental illness
Anxiety and Depression. Most of us with
Autism have learning disabilities, social
interactions and communication problems.
We might find it hard to not let things get to us.
Like a lot of disabilities Autism affects a lot of different people in different people in different ways. Autism is a life time development disability, which affects people’s communication and understanding and interactions. There are at least a 100
people or more who are on the autism spectrum. At least 700,000 people or more people in UK alone who face Autism.
Not everyone who faces Autism is affected the same, they do not share the same strengths and weaknesses, like other people don’t.
Like all people with and without disabilities, people with Autism want to live full lives. We want to make the most of life. We live in society too and we are human beings.
lack of social communication and Anxiety is most common in people with Autism, mainly with people we don’t know and or as we are getting know people. Most people may find us strange, as most of us may struggle to communicate verbally and nonverbally. Unable to speak or limited speech.
Most of us have good language skills but have difficulty with understanding sarcasm, jokes, tone of voice etc.
Most of us may take things literally, for example sayings like break a leg.
Most of us may need extra time to take in and understand most information or and what people say to us.
Some of us may repeat ourselves without meaning to.
My experience with travel.I find airports busy, too many people rushing. Information hard to understand flashing on and off too quickly. I get into route and struggle to get used to change. I like my independence and my support when I can get it. I like to know where I am going, I get lost easily if I have not been to a place before and when I have it can take any length of time for me to find it.
I would like to raise awareness of my experience of traveling. Not everyone with disabilities etc can drive. It may be hard for those live in the country without depending those they may know who drive, even harder if don’t know anyone who does, public transport etc. Even for those who live in towns and cities, transport is not always reliable.
Some people with Autism and other disabilities etc; have no of direction and may be slow to find where places are if they know where they are, which may make it tricky, if they need to get somewhere for a certain time. Some people may need support get out and about, travel training etc.
Most people with disabilities don’t get out at night as there may be little or support, plus safety as well. Fundings have been on the learning disability social events over the years in the Uk.
Most people like myself have been bullied in school, and did not have many friends during childhood and teenage years etc.
Most employers don’t understand learning disability. Not everyone follows the learning disability Discrimination act but they should.
Society says people with Autism find change a hard thing and it is true, it causes us a lot of anxiety. However’ with a lot of difficulties we face, I won’t say goes away but the older we get, the more so we learn to live with them, least that is what I have found for me.
Things have improved to what they were but we still have a long way to go. We live to make the most of what we can do just that society needs to let us put what know into use. Just like other people we have hobbies, interests and even careers.
Not all people with disabilities know how to use computers and other devices, the internet etc, even those of us who can, don’t know how to use everything on there necessarily but we know most. There is not always the jobs in what do need and not always the training and qualifications in what we don’t know or support.
The government tends to spend money on the least important things. They robbing off the poorest instead of the rich.
If you work or and study in the learning disability field or and your a parent, or family member life may be little easier if you learn to understand the person or people you support, such as communication aids as I have wrote at the bottom of the-paragraph next to this one, plus making information easy for them to read.
There are too many mistakes most employers make. Most service users with disabilities don’t understand jargon, there is not any or enough accessible information. We find it very confusing. ( language barriers), sigh language, brail, accessible information etc is needed.
Most people don’t understand that many people have hidden disabilities because in most people it is hard to see the difficulties they face, unless they are in their lives most of the time.
There are two forms of Autism, which used to be separated but now they joined together, Autism Spectrum and Asperger Syndrome.
Reason for this is because Autism is on the the spectrum. Despite of this, some people’s disabilities may show others may not as much, depending whether they mildly, minor or severely Autistic.
This may be such signs I may have already said such as rocking, spinning, no speech, very little speech etc. most of us, if not all of us have at least a little bit of those signs but some of us more so than others.
Autism spectrum is not that much different to Asperger’s syndrome apart from people with Asperger’s syndrome very signs are shown where it may seem as we don’t a have a learning disability, really we do but very mild. We may have a mild stutter in our speech in most of our talking.
Autism spectrum may vary, from minor to severe speech problems.
On the whole as far as I am aware, we all face difficulties in communication, social interaction, social imagination.
Not necessarily all people with Asperger syndrome and Autism Spectrum face but most do and I one of them. Dyspraxia motor skills, balance, gripping and coordination problems. This affect skills such as cooking, housework, hygiene, tying shoes laces, climbing, and more. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
If anyone remembers that, the risks and concerns that
it could cause Autism, to protect German meseases/
rubella. Yet did not see a learning disability as
I thought as Autism as a side - affect from a injection,
I found that hard to understand but maybe you have
your own views. I thought if this study is right
it is likely to cause autism spectrum rather than
Asperger, not sure why I thought that.
Causes of Autism.
Cause Autism is unknown yet in my case I
was born lack of oxygen to the brain.
I guess in the late 20th century to the early 21st century,
it was reported on the news about the MMR vaccines,
I admit this study is probably wrong but going by my
Mother and experience, I was born lack of oxygen
because my Mum was neglected, where she had me
before help came to deliver me. Therefore’
I was born too quickly and I was fitting but
despite of that my weight was fine, I was 7lb 6 born.
There are probably other causes, which I am looking into.
https://www.dh-attorneys.com/blog/2020/january/genetic-tests-reveal-cause-of-seizure-disorder-i/
Autism affects different people different ways.
It may depend on the of Autism or and the person
within themselves. Even two people with Same
problems as odd as it sounds do not always face
the difficulties and strengths. Except the unexpected.
Sure may know this but people disabilities so have
strengths etc, as they was a time when society people
with disabilities having all weaknesses no strengths.
We have strengths and weaknesses in different ways
like other like other people but naturally not the same
to one another. Try support people through their
difficulties but take interest in what they are
good at well, to encourage them to see that
life is worth living in the positive way they have,
and no one can do everything.
I guess what the world trying to understand is,
what causes Autism and many hidden disabilities and more.
If. I am right most people with Autism,
find it hard to explain what they are trying to tell
people, which part communicating, people
with Autism can struggle, it can affect us socially.
We can lack communication and understanding.
There can be misunderstandings between us and others.
It can make us feel as if we haven’t
got any control over our lives, we have or haven’t.
If we don’t have a great of choice and
control over our lives, this does not help
us to be independent, yet support is not always
around when we need it, needs to balanced.
We may struggle with managing money but
support for most of us is very little support
with home ,benefits etc.
Not sure what it is like by you but services are few
and far in between in West Midlands
or and Wolverhampton., funding seems
to be cut a lot for Autism and other services
for vulnerable people, children and adults.
With Autism there are two forms or used to be
( ASD) Autism Spectrum and Asperger Syndrome .
(AS).
Levels of Autism. ADS comes in three different levels,
Autism affects people can vary where they face
of these difficulties, one or just a few.
Level one struggles with communicating with
people which can vary to friends, family,
relationships even professionals in their lives
even all sorts of people.
Struggling to manage social skills, lack of
communication and understanding between
them and others where always the person
with Autism has misunderstood the other
person but the way round, which maybe in
some cases, which happen work, school,
college, home etc,
in some or and all walks of life.
We May spend a lot of time alone.
We may find it hard to understand
people’s feelings and thoughts but
the person may over come the
older they get.
We may behave in a strange manner
others may find odd.
We may find it had to make friends.
We may have poor eye contact.
Level 2 difficulty with basic living skills,
money, shopping, home skills, study, work,
traveling and more, they need support in those areas.
Traveling,
Level three is outside difficulties and support ,
for example getting themselves out and
about but in some cases may have strengths
as well as weaknesses where they may know
their way round locally to them but not far a
away from them, mainly if it is somewhere
they have not been before but this may vary.
However’ it may be if they go somewhere not
necessary every day but regularly they may
pick it up, it may take some people longer than others.
My experience with the outside world is it been
overwhelming and crowded with people and places
where there no one to ask for help if I need it,
mainly in airports for example. Airports can be
very busy. Information find where your gate to your
plane flashes on and off far too quickly.
This cause people a lot of Anxiety, where
they could miss important information.
Where they may struggle to get to where
they are going whether it is going or
coming back from somewhere.
Little support is still given airports
and on the plane well but it has
improved to what it was but
we still have a long way to go.
Not many people with disabilities
drive, me included.
Most of us are having to rely on
public transport.
Not everyone like me is lucky to
be bus independent but there
only a limit of places I can go.
Some people need support with money.
Night time seems to be a dangerous time
as support workers do not work at night
and we should not except them to either.
However’ people with disabilities should
have rights to choices as much as anyone,
even though some are one of the lucky ones
like me but that does not mean
do not look out for others.
This is not only difficult for me but for others too,
mainly those similar to me. For example;
woke up to find on the news,
if I have not misunderstood about all if not most railway ticket offices are closing.
The change will be if I am right ordering our tickets online,
where not everyone knows how,
mainly vunable people such as the
disabled and elderly people.
It's understandable that there
cannot be IT courses in everything
no one knows completely everything IT,
however' I understand there maybe some
positives as well negative the change
where most people face positives and
negatives, other may say one or the other,
feel free to tell your views, experience etc,
which may you or and someone you support,
care for etc.
However if you are commenting on be half of someone,
make sure have their permission,
if they say no or say one or the other do
not-comment on their behalf. In the west Midlands,
the disabled people have three disabled bus passes
and we can travel by rail, bus and tram around the
West Midland but no further.
I am sure how pension bus passes work.
In the week we can travel three from half past night,
Saturday all day, not sure about other parts of the
UK though. It is not possible to suit everyone's needs
but accessibly needs to improve,
the only way to learn that is find out
from those who face the difficulties.
This is example other things too such
as most shops that self service,
cash machines etc most people
may struggle. We understand privacy,
such as naturally
PIN numbers etc are private but not
everyone can manage everything on there.
What the difference between Between
autism spectrum and Asperger syndrome,
what is the same?
As confusing as this sounds that (AS)
and (ADS) are not these days classed
as separate forms of Autism anymore,
which understandably throws everyone
even me. Your question and my question in too,
not if I am right or wrong you are thinking same,
which is. How is that, it makes no sense.
You would be right to do so makes no sense
at all but if but I guess maybe when we get
used to how it is set out, it may be less confusing.
A page or few pages ago,
I wrote about different levels of Autism,
which is the way someone
somewhere
has changed the way of explaining with
Autism is, why that is I have no ideas and not
if anyone knows why but sure may have good
reasons to do it this way. All the same (As)
and (ADs) have own differences and parts of
form Autism that causes the problems.
Therefore’ there is very little or difference
between the forms of Autism,
which now is considered as one
big developmental disorder.
(ASD) compared to( AS) face
milder speech problems
but that may vary to be honest.
For both forms difficulty with communication with society,
we find it hard in different ways to one another, difficulty
with social imagination.
By a guess I have (AS), I have motor skills and
gripping problems, poor co-oration,
I struggle with my strength which is known as
Dyspraxia, which is linked to Autism.
It is not shown, in fact it is very hidden,
which makes it very hard for a person to prove themselves,
unless others spend a lot time with them,
which is not always possible.
However’ they say (ASD) people do not appear
to having learning disabilities,
again sorry are confused on that one because I am?
The answer is we do have learning disabilities though,
which is hidden, classed more of learning difficulties,
which conditions can be linked,
it maybe one some or all such dyslexia,
dyspraxia, ADHD etc,
which may linked to mental illnesses
such as Anxiety and or Depression.
Communication,
little language,
speaking in the
same tone, unable to
understand
facial expressions,
mixing words up
like you and I,
repeating what
others say.
Movements, flapping hands, rocking,
twirling toes, talking about and
repeating the same topic, which
vary to how long they talk about
something for to when that changes
to when the next topic lasts for so for,
having fixed routines, upset and anxious
by change, may appear nervous even if
the change positive, sensitive to sound,
smells, taste, etc; misunderstanding
people’s’ thoughts, feelings, actions etc.
Asperger syndrome (AS) comes under
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADS).
They both cause social interaction
but (ASD) does not cause people struggle
with thinking and language problems both
(AS) and ASD) behavior and relationships
problems around people in general,
mainly from my experience if
I do not know them.
Even though I have not been diagnosed by
a health professional, my family have learned
what I have faced and what I have been through
with my problems, strengths as well weaknesses,
reading book, films etc on Autism etc.
In some ways people with LD are their
own health professionals in many ways
of every day lives because
we have to live with the problems.
Dyslexia can also link to Autism
so what is the difference between Dyslexia and Dyspraxia?
They are so similar it is hard to whether
you can have both or not but then there
is an easy way to work it out.
Dyslexia is all to do with reading and
writing but before I go on, never say a person
can’t read and write when they dyslexia,
that is not so to put politely, we just face
difficulties with reading, writing along
the way, for example; mixing up bs and
d.s., spelling words, writing numbers
the wrong way round, 23, 32, bad, dad.
Dyspraxia can be similar but with more added on,
such as untidy handwriting,
Pressing too hard on pens and pencils,
struggling to grip. Dyspraxia affects
every day skills mentally as well as
physically whereas Dyspraxia doesn’t affect
a person physically only mentally.
However’ both have positives in creative ways,
which people are talented in different ways.
Therefore, how did (ASD) and (AS) come
about in the first place?
(AS) was discovered by Han Asperger in
1944.He was doing studies in Autism with
Lora Wing 1981, me and family knew nothing,
I was eleven years of age. He gave he gave
the development condition a form of
Asperger Syndrome. en.n.Wikipedia.org
History of Asperger Syndrome.
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/the-history-of-autism/asperger-syndrome
Since then support has come in place but we still have a long way to go.
More than fifty years ago, Leo Kenner
described his Autistic syndrome but
a German psychiatrist named Eurgen Bleuler
described the most severe cases of child hood Autism as Schizophrenia.
https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/evolution-autism-diagnosis-explained/Leo classed Autism as a pattern of ad normal behavior
back in 1943.
DR Jean Marc Gasped Iraq was a French physician.
She discovered a boy who was afraid and neglected
in a forest.
He could not speak, he was deaf and he
rocked a lot. This was in the 1800s.
There were famous writers who had autism
such as Hans Christian Anderson children’s
writer , Lewis Carol children ‘s writer
Charles Darwin naturalist and geologist,
Emily Dickinson poet, Albert Einstein scientist and mathematician, Thomas Jettison Politician.
Research famous people with disabilities and other
problems for example;
Han Christian Anderson was
born in Denmark 2nd April 1805.
His Father was a shoe maker and him
Mother was a housewife.
He was an only child, had great imagination
with his toys and he was a great
children’s’ fairly tale writer.Google search for example; jobs for people with Autism.
Course search tips, animal care courses for people with autism.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/vaccines-and-other-conditions/vaccines-autism https://www.thevillarifirm.com/2020/11/can-birth-injury-cause-autism-here-s-how-the-two/https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/the-causes-of-autism
Chapter eight
What is mental health and mental illness?
Next up, difference the same if any between mental health and mental illness.
These two differences I
think are rather simple least I think so. we cannot be happy all the time and we can’t be sad all the time.https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/q-and-a/whats-the-difference-between-mental-health-and-mental-illness
Don’t get me wrong it doesn’t mean we all face Mental illness but we all go through length of time of spells of happiness and sadness, meaning mental health is positive for us if or when we have a spell happiness for a certain length, if or and when a spell of sadness for a certain length of time.
It is not always the case that something is bothering us, in some of us, we can go through spells of feeling negative for no reason, which ever way should not be judged.
It all comes down to how we think,
feel, behave, react and even interact
etc to life around us.
When it comes to reasons why we think,
feel, behave, react, interact etc,
if it is negative, is something
that is bothering us, like money problems,
full outs, break ups with those know,
death of those we know, bullying,
abuse and more.
Not saying everyone does this but
for even who those us who do,
are not saying it is right but
when in moment of a crisis,
it is easy for most of us to be
driven to make the wrong choice
like drinking a lot, smoking a lot, drugs etc.
If you are concerned something maybe
bothering someone
Never tell someone to stop or
start doing something but tell them
what is likely to happened if
they do or don’t do what they
decide to do or and don’t do,
it is down to them to decide.
However’ don’t get me wrong,
it is fine to let them know you
are for them if they wish to talk
but let the choice be theirs
and hopefully they will do the
same for you.
We all human we are right all the
time and we are not wrong all the time either.
They may talk to you today, tomorrow,
next week, next year or not at all,
whichever they know you have offered.
They may even talk to someone else
but please do not question if they talking
someone else unless you one another
really well you
know they not mind you asking that,
or even though it will a good thing if they,
if they wish to tell you that is their choice,
if it is your choice. However’
it is concerning for those who
don’t or struggle to open up but
at the same time. You to respect
their wishes and privacy,
if they decide to open up to you,
they will let you but if you need
raise health, safety and concern
only tell those are trained and
qualified to deal with and let the
person know why you need raise
that concern to where or and who.
If they haven’t come to you for a
chat if something is bothering them,
please do not take it personally,
some things maybe private to them,
they may afraid of your reaction
even though you know you wouldn’t
judge them, that may be hard for
them to know unless you know
each other really well, respect
their privacy, not a word to anyone
unless your concerned about their
health and safety, even then only
tell if they feel they can’t to those
work for services etc who can help,
Maybe families etc, only if the
person wants you to anymore
else and only tell who they
allow you to.
Before we look at types of support let’s
look at types of mental illnesses
you may be able to learn about Anxiety,
Depression, Bipolar which is a type of depression
, Borderline Personality,
schizophrenia,
Support and treatment.
For example; cognitive behavioral therapy, art, creative therapy, talking therapy counseling, medication etc.
coping skills such as hobbies, interests, careers.
Schizoaffective. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/
Chapter nine
What is Anxiety, anger and ADHD ?
What is anger?What is the difference, the same, similar between anger and anxiety?
Human behavior
There are at least five types of human behavior mentally, physically, socially, psychologically.
As we all know friendships and relationships link to social behavior, which is sociology, mental behavior psychology.
One of the causes in some cases etc not necessarily all. Is peoples’ family, background and or upbringing.
Some people may have been raised for it to be okay to behave angry, aggressive, or violently towards others, which is hard for us who haven’t been raised that way to understand that. However’ we all have faults every single one of us but how we behave is all different extremes.
You may have been bought up to not complain about anything, which behavior wise is good in the sense of health and safety but what is not good to keep negative inside of you but also not to bring your self down to someone else’s level. Therefore, what is the answer to all this?
Anger is an emotional reaction.
It can make people stressed, anxious, emotional and even depressed. Ashamed, embarrassed, helpless, hopeless, useless, jealous, grief, frustrated, insecure, loneliness etc.
People with Autism face high levels of anxiety but that doesn’t mean other people don’t too.
For eg; struggling with changes.
Like when routine have to change, which may take some getting used to.
The unexpected may make them feel stressed, anxious, even angrily.
When someone is scared of a certain situation but have no choice of the matter, which make them stressed, angry, anxious etc.
Anger is not always to do with mental illnesses necessarily in some people in some situations.
Never judge a book by its cover, never judge what you don’t know.
However’ there could be many reasons why a person feel angry. Things that make them emotional. Where they feel attacked, controlled, powerless, by whatever might bother them.
For example; the way the governments runs countries but it plays on different peoples’ more so than others.
There are different levels of anger and behavior. We need to work out the different extremes of anger and behaviors in the people’s mental health, health and safety.
It is easy when one thinks of the word anger and what it means that one understandably wants to shy away from it because in case someone is a problem. The truth is meaning it can be one or both reasons or no reason at all.
This mean someone maybe facing a problem with themselves or and someone else. That does not mean it makes it right or wrong but whatever it is, it is not making that person themselves or and they may be feeling this way for no reason.
This is not good because it is an emotional, no one should feel ashamed, judged etc but the safety of themselves and others matters.
However’ it is also not good to ignore that emotional to a point it bothers the person more and more. The problem is how to draw the line for the person not harming themselves or and others or or just ignoring the feeling, which doesn’t do anyone any good, which fearing upsetting others maybe one of the reasons why most people don’t try to get help for their mental health.
At the same time though, in some things, anger is a natural reaction.
In some cases anger is as strange as it sounds normal, healthily, and natural where not everyone may disagree on how a person may feel because they may feel the same way, depending what the situation is but anger is how someone feels inside themselves. Yes, there are times that someone or and something is to blame but how do we deal with it in the safest possible way? That is the question.
It can be easy when we are the moment to say or and do the wrong thing. Where we need to think of whatever is bothering us to think of ways that are not going to get us into trouble.
Some things may play on the mind more so than others.
Therefore, for example; Anxiety can cause someone to be thinking about the same thing none stop. Mainly if someone is worried about about something or and someone.
People have choices whether or not they open up how they feel inside but knowing what and why people are angry, should help mental health workers to get the right support and help for them.
There could be more than one reason. To know someone is able to take time to understand them.
It can be hard for most people why the past of negative experiences can haunt most people for so long.
Again no is forced to what they don’t want or do. In fact the truth probably is not so much most people don’t want help but the fact they may not know what to except. Most have coped alone so long they may not be used to any other way. It may take them their own time or not all to have the confidence, self - esteem to try even.
Most people may have seen as children and young people their parents or, and other adult’s anger get out of control with each other or and even other people.
There are advantages and disadvantages of these emotions coming out but anger is not nice to see.
For eg; parents and families understandably don’t like to be shown up in public but then it is hard to know when is the best time for them to express themselves and how.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of panic,
stress,
Emotional
Hyperventilation, sweating, trembling, intense heat rate,
worry, nervousness etc to a point most
people over worrying, thinking,lot, even tension ,depending how
severe the person is facing even risk of
heart attacks, panic attacks, strokes
even deaths,
it not always the case but can be.
Types of Anxiety.
The person could have a mixture of emotions where they want to meet new people of things changing whether it is good or bad, just the fact something is new.
They may struggle to move on from may be some negative situations from their past.
They may struggle to have trust in others., which may be a fear whether they have Autism or not.
Post traumatic stress disorder.
Depression, anxiety and hopelessness.
Struggling to enjoy activities they may normally or and used to enjoy.
Nightmares, flashbacks, hearing, seeing things they may worry or and even panic about.
They may worry about what someone may say, reaction etc.
Non stop thinking what’s happened or and what may happen.
They may struggle to stop thinking once someone has or tried to trauma them.
Finding it hard to sleep at night or any time, insomnia.
Any situation can cause PTSD such as road accidents, sexual assault, abuse, mugging, robbery, health problems, child birth experiences etc. These situations can haunt the mind for a long time or forever. Really nothing goes away but most of us learn to live with the fact whatever happened.
You might need to learn about other types of Anxiety such as.
Types of Anxiety to search engine.
Body dysmorphic disorders, OCD, General anxiety, GAD, phobias, agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder, selective. Anxiety and more https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/anxiety-disorders/
Interduction to Epilepsy.
Seizures may bought on by stress, Anxiety, panic, tension etc apart from others causes such as brain damage, injuries, trauma etc.
The person may be diagnosed
by their GP,
if they have a lot of
seizures a lot times
rather than just now
and then.
Seizures can start at any age for length of time, stop any length of time, they stop for life or come back, no one knows if or when.
There can be difference in time to how long someone is having a seizure for to how long someone is having to be on medication for.
Just because your seizures may stop for however long does not make you none Epileptic, even they never come back again, it is there in your history. It is a very strange condition where different people who face, face it differently.
For eg; I was born with Epilepsy, I had seizures from birth and taken off medication when I was twelve to thirteen then I was seizure free till I was thirty - one years old till I was forty - three.
what cause Epilepsy and what causes people to have seizures?
Really the cause of Epilepsy is what it is.
It can be a number of things like a lot of stress, tumor, electricity to the brain, chemicals etc; even if the person is worrying a lot about something, someone etc, lack sleep, even too much sleep even panic and maybe more.https://www.epilepsy.com/causes
This could also be if a lot is playing on the mind such as emotional issues, which may affect other issues with their health as well mental health illness such as Money problems, house problems, moving house, falling out or and breaking up with, friends, family, partner, one the other or all three, deaths of people they know etc.
Epilepsy can be a death risk it’s self but not everyone faces it. https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/about/types-of-seizures.htm Seizures like most conditions, problems etc can be from mild, moderate, severe, minor, major etc. My seizures for eg; have been what used to call at the start of my life in the 70s Petty mall, most people have gram mall, chronic Tonic, there is more in the link I put on. https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/about/first-aid.htm
A panic attack and an epileptic fit
can be very similar.
Epileptic seizures do not tend to last long
on the whole where as Anxiety panics
attacks can tend to last up to twenty minutes
on the whole, according to Google.
https://seermedical.com/uk/blog/stress-anxiety-and-epilepsy
The signs of Anxiety panic attacks and epileptic seizures understandably people may get confused with, the link I have just put should tell you why and this is, or could be.
Anxiety can be a sense of fear and panic,
even a sense of anger, worry or and fear,
whether the person is fearing or and worrying
about happens or not.
Seizures and panic attacks can be similar
in a sense that it can be do with the Nerva
system, such as headaches, dizziness, choking,
shaking, going hot and cold, pins and needles,
electrical shocks etc. There can be times a
person may not be aware what is going on
around but it is not necessarily so that
everyone faces that.
There are also similar links between Anxiety,
Autism and ADHD.
Autism sure can cause high Anxiety
and even stress levels it is most common
for those who face Autism to be sensitive
change and some things changing, the unexpected,
built up to positive changes such as studying for
exams, taking exams, driving lessons, driving tests,
moving house, even leaving one country
moving to another as much as even moving areas,
It is not negative things their lives such as bad
new that can affect people but the build up of
positive as well but then passes
if whatever is achieved successfully.
This may-bring on meltdowns but some meltdowns
can be more severe than others,
which maybe caused by Autism
or ADHD or and the treatment they
make having such as medication,
which may need to be looked into,
it may be different for different people.
Anxiety and ADHD are are separate problems,
Anxiety is a mental illness and
ADHD is developmental condition similar to Autism.
However’ there is a strong link between the two.
Like struggling to focus on things,
insomnia which causes a lack of sleep,
it is likely to affect most people’s moods,
frustration, struggling to do and finish a
course or task on time for example,
Surely there is a link between Anxiety
and seizures.certain Google researches,
other years of writing
this book,
not everyone but in some people that
Shingles can be contacted.https://www.healthcentral.com/article/shingles-and-stress
https://www.defeatingepilepsy.org/living-with-epilepsy-series/anxiety-depression-and-epilepsy/
Anxiety and stress.
It may depend on how something
may be bothering or and worrying them.
stress is the worse death risk of all.
Each and every person copes with it differently.
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/anxiety If or and when we
worry too much the risk is that
we may get depressed.
Also, what is a part of Anxiety is apart of
thinking to point like one’s mind is
none stop chatting to one’s self or
not at to a point we can’t think at-all,
which is all to do with the mind,
where at times we can over thinking
or not at all and even over worry,
where it can keep us a wake at night,
which is insomnia.
It is not just the negative things
can be stressful but the build up of
positive things too like achieving and learning,
studying, exams, driving lessons, driving tests etc.
Therefore what do we worrying about?
For eg; Money problems , moving house, job loss, exams, and more.
How do we help people get through it?
Sadly we can’t help with everything
because we are only trained and qualified
for so much but we don’t have the same
strength and weaknesses, this could
be someone you work with, your manager,
you could sigh post or and referral
the person to services that are trained
and qualified to help the person.
Yes I know this is all very me
saying that as due to the cost of
living funding could be cut etc.
This is easy to say to be honest,
help and support off people you may know,
friends, family etc.
The difference,
the same if not similar between
Anxiety and ADHD.
If you have Anxiety you may find it hard
to focus on things but if you have ADHD
you find it hard to focus most of the time
but if you have both the level are high,
therefore’ they are similar but the difference
is if any, it may depend whether or not you
are worrying a lot.
You have to have Autism to have high
stress levels but most people with Autism
have high stress levels of Anxiety and
most have ADHD.
However’ it is possible for ADHD to
affect people physically, mentally or both.
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder, it affects concentration.
This is because ADHD can cause short attention
span, restlessness, fidgety, being impulsive,
physical and verbal behaviors, snuggling with
education, employment, they may need
quite a bit of support to be successful and
get the work done in it’s time limits at same
time as other people whether it is work, study,
causes etc.
The person may be very anxious or and excited.
For example; an excited, we can be happy
with positive things and there is no wrong in that.
With ADHD it cause a person to become over excited
in there reaction but there is nothing wrong in that
either. Anxiousness
as I said before can work in positive as
negative reactions to situations.
With positives it is likely to be for example;
the build up of working positive things, studying, exams, driving lessons and driving tests etc.
Negative and positive ways can build up a person’s stress levels in positive and negative ways, even built up of positive changes.
When it is a negative experience, it could be something unexpected to them, something changing negative ways etc, which we all may need to face but exscream of the person’s reaction, if they do not want to do something or and go somewhere etc.
Help support you can offer for those
who may let you try to help them.
No one knows everything including me.
Counseling, emotional support,
medication, mindfulness, creativity
therapy, talking therapy and more. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/25036313
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/psychosocial/foundations/Pages/types-anxiety.aspx
Going by my own experience has taught me
and this example of any disability, illness,
conditions etc, health prossionals
need to look into whether meditations
are causing these sort of
problems or is it part of the person’s
conditions etc.
Chapter ten What is depression.
Depression is very known illness and can be serious as well. It can be very misunderstood where others may think you being purposely moody but that is not case. It can vary from person to person where to some people it can something bothering, others it can be no reason at all, others each spell can vary from being a reason to not being reason.
It is not uncommon to feel negative at times, sad, fed up low etc.
We can all feel down at times but if it carries on longer than necessary, it is a huge concern.
Depression can make it hard for people to focus on things, even in things you are interested in, and the world around us. It affects your the way your mood, how feel, think, even how you behave, react, even interact. It is like you whole world shuts down on you and black cloud goes over you.
Cases of this can vary to the person, maybe the type of Depression they face, whether or not there is a reason for feeling as they do, there is a reason whatever is bothering them, how long they may have been struggling along, if they told someone, even the support they may have received or and sorts of reasons.
To the point what this chapter is about. What is depression?
Depression is a low mood, it is more than just feeling under the weather. It can go on for any length of time not just a day, few days, a week etc. It can be several days or even months, which can due to concern. Where depression can affects everyday life.
From my experience, depression can go up and down for different lengths of time, spells, different reasons or and no reasons.
Depression is not a mood disorder that people can easily snap out of. Conditions etc are easily misunderstood and even misdiagnosed. Hopefully we are getting better at understanding.
How we feel should not be taken out on others. However’ it has come a long way to what it used to be but we still have long way to go.
For eg; when I was a child, you were seen but not heard, least it seemed that way. People would see it as you were in a mood and you need to snap out of it. Like it is something to be ashamed of, you need to shake it off. No but yes, it can take time.
People would uses sayings like you have a face like a wet weekend.
One of major types of depression part from major depression is Bipolar where you can feel very up and down.
Symptoms of bipolar.
Depression very low mood.
Mania feeling high and overactive.
Depression feeling sad and hopeless.
Not able to concentrate.
Lack of energy.
Emptiness or and worthless.
Guilt and despair
Self -doubt
Lack of appetite
Mana feelings.
Very happy
Talking very quickly
Full of energy
Self - important
Great ideas, important plans
Easily distracted
Easily irrupted or agitated
Delusional, hallucinations, disturbed or illogical thinking
Not feeling like sleeping
The person may spend a large amount of money
Making decisions out of character that maybe risky and harmful
What is major depression?
Major depression is a new form of clinical depression. It can be caused by very low mood, self - esteem and lack of interest in things someone would be interested in normally.
It is one of the commonest types of depression that can be linked to other types of depression.
It can affect families, personal relationships, friendships, studying, work and more.
This could be linked to such types of depression as seasonal affective disorder (sad), Postpartum depression and psychosis.
Symptoms of depression.
Feeling unhappy a lot, feeling hopeless a lot, it may affect all if not most aspects of a person’s life.
Such as work, education, social lives, home life and more.
Psychological systems.
Low mood, upset, crying, a lot.
Feeling guilty, irritated, intolerant towards people, feeling they should avoid people, no motivation, no energy, finding hard to decide what to do, even not to, finding it hard to enjoy life, having suicidal feelings, thoughts of may also self - harm etc.
Physical symptoms.
Moving or and speaking slower than normal, changes in weight, changes in diet, eating more or less than normal.
Conslipation, aches, pains, low sex drive, there maybe changes in the person’s menstrual cycle, lack of or too much sleep, waking up too early or late.
Social symptoms.
Not doing well at school, work etc, grieving people they know who have died, relationship break up, fall outs, family, friends etc.
There is mild, minor and major depression that all have an effect on every day lives.
Treatment and support.
Grief bereavement for people who have lost people, animals, pets etc, types of medication, types of therapy. For example; psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, Electroconvulsive therapy, premenstrual.
https://successtms.com/blog/types-of-depression
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/treatments
It is important to understand what person wants and does want is important.
Whether or not and
who they open up to
is their choice no one
else’s and they do,
if they do.
No matter what we think
all we can do is,
let them know we if are
there for them if or
and they want to open
up to us.
However’ need to let know
if we are concerned
about the health and
safety we need make
somewhere or and someone
who is more trained
and qualified than we
are to deal with
whatever that maybe.
However’ some people’s crises may not as bad as other. Although’ there are concerns and risks with all types of illnesses that they make people risk to others or and their selves but it is not always necessary the case it is with every crisis a person may have or may be with every person you try to support.
Each crisis I have had myself, some have not been as bad as others.
I would say at five times I have felt as if I was not to make it and each time, I have been wrong.
I only once took an overdose and that over the epileptic medication I was taking at the time I was twenty.
If I am honest there was two reasons for that at that time, yes I did feel very to the point I felt as if life was not worth living, I honestly admit that and we’ll say my manager and my tutor at the Camnant Centre in Wales, thought I was having petty mall seizures, I was not that point got the local GP to put me back on the medication so one day when I was home for the weekend, I took the lot because I was so fed up of taking them for no reason.
The most common types of depression is major depression, major depression disorder, Chronic depression, Persistent perinatal depression, (Sad) Seasonal affective disorder.
(MDD) Major depression disorder, you feel as if you have no interest in anything and anyone,
Bipolar
Persistent depressive disorder
Season affective disorder
Antenatal
Menstrual dysphoric disorder
Etc.
where people need to be patient until the person feels themselves again but at the same time your health and safety can be concerning which may last length of time and very concerning not at all. It can very hard to know when should step in and when you shouldn’t.
You aren’t always aware of someone facing this, it is not always possible if you can try to find out if the person has other people in their lives who they know if they need to, you do not need to necessarily need to know who, it is the person’s choice if they tell you or not.
However’ working for a services etc, you may for example need to have the person’s next of Kim’s contact details in case of emergency.
Major and Clinical depression can
affect how the person feels, think and behave.
This can lead to physical as
well as emotional problems.
A person may struggle with
everyday activities and they
not feel life is worth living,
which is hugely concerning.
Depression can cause a person to do
too much of something or and
not enough of something for eg;
eating, drinking, sleeping, even many more.
Some people may feel helpless, hopeless,
useless, feeling as if they are doing
something wrong all the time or and
something they be or not doing, saying etc,
mainly if a lot of people are making
them feel that way.
Some Anxiety may kick in where they
worry too much that they maybe doing
saying or and not enough of anything
etc because others may make them think so etc.
They may worry for eg; feeling as if they
are not doing enough to please others,
where they may overthink and worry
without meaning to because a person
or people maybe put pressure on them,
this can run them down.
Depression can drain a person’s motivation
and energy, where they can feel as if
they have no get up and go.
Always be honest with those you support
but never run those down who do open up either.
Although’ advise you to praise those
who do open up, it can be a struggle
for person try and talk to someone,
mainly if they know, even if your
trustworthy, even if you work for a
service where it is in everywhere these
days righty so to respect patient’s, client’s privacy etc.
Never judge how a person’s life is.
Never tell what to do and
what not to do.
However’ tell them what they
could or could not do, what is
likely to happen if they do or do
not take certain steps to whatever
their situation may be on what
they may talking to you about.
For those who open up,
it takes energy and strength
with whatever they may be going through.
As for those who may not we still must not
judge even
though it is a huge concern, there are
all sorts of reasons why they may not
open up and there’s every chance the person
may know is themselves,
if anyone does it is
likely to be
close friends,
family etc.
We can hope people do not face
crises but that sadly not promised.
However’ how people face them ,
can vary from person to person,
it depends on the type of mental illness
they face,
if they are facing a problem for example;
relationship break up.
The person’s reaction may be
different and how it affects them.
When my ex boyfriend left me for another
Woman back in 1997,
where I feel nothing at all now but distorted
me at the time.
I had a mental breakdown.
Although I hated been at home
and I was out and about I struggled to socialize
but I was oddly okay with people being around
but not making any chat.
Back in 2011,
I lost my work with Men-cap but this affected
me completely
differently to
my mental breakdown where
I was feeling
down if I was not forcing
on something, whereas
With my mental breakdown,
I was struggling to for-us
even things I normally enjoyed.
Treatment and support. What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. (CBT). (CBT) treats Anxiety and Depression trying to help the person feel mostly positive about themselves. You or themselves maybe able to refer them to the NHS talking theory, GP, self harm or medication.
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/depression/types-of-depression
Chapter eleven What is Borderline personality disorders?
Now we know a bit about Depression, I am going to move on to Borderline personality, which is even more serious than major depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, schizoaffective, paranoid put together.
It changes how a person feels, behaves, thinks, reacts, even interacts with people and the world around them.
People with Schizoid personality disorder have concrete thinking, where they will think outside the box so will most people with Dyspraxia and I am one of them. This maybe where they may good at in fact, at researching, problem solving, arts, crafts, poetry, writing short stories, drawing, painting etc.
Autism and schizoid personality both struggle socially mainly when being hurt by others, being misunderstood, meeting new people etc, the person may withdraw or and in some cases they may try to get too close someone who has no interest in them but not really understanding that and why. They may struggle to accept someone is not interested or they may do anything to avoid them. However’ they could come across people they feel to close to them and others they may not want to know. It maybe very rarely or not at all a line in between the two. However’ some people with Autism may over come that behavior the older they get, whereas most people with schizoid personality disorder may not but some may.
It can really make the person misunderstood from others, those who don’t know them. If may take a long time to get to know them and understand them.However’ it may with most people it may affect friendships and relationships with, even in some cases family too, which may mean they may get along with very few people in their lives.
Types of Borderline Personality.
Paranoid personality disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
Anti social personality disorder
Histrionic personality disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder
Avoidant personality disorder
Dependent personality. Disorder
Obsessive personality disorder
Paranoid Personality Disorder.
Let’s start with Paranoid personality disorder.
People who face Paranoid personality disorder may find it hard to confide in family and friends.
They find it hard to trust and believe in people.
They may fear they being taken advantage of, mainly if they have been hurt by other people
They may fear and feel they may not belong.
They may take long time or not at all to get over negative experiences, no how and how extreme they are.
They may find it hard to see the positive in anyone and anything.
They may fear a lot of people or everyone is against them, their choices of lives they make and everything. This may last any length of time or even all their lives.
Schizoid personality disorder.
Mainly after friendships, relationships break ups, fall outs etc, they may struggle to be friendly or and get close to people.
They may chose to live their lives without interference from others.
They may want to be on their own in their own thoughts.
They may struggle to carry on being interested in things compared to how they may when they feel themselves.
They may blow hot and cold on people.
Schizoid personally disorder is rather common even some people may not be aware of it in most people.
Not that all behaviors are down mental illness.
When let down by some people may affect they are with others but that doesn’t mean in everyone, that they are facing Schizoid necessarily, which not easy to prove one way or the other.
Most people may or and feel the need withdraw from people for a certain length of time for whatever reason but if the period time is a lot of years or they are affected from whatever they faced has affected them for life, that is more so due to concern.
I faced mental emotional abuse from my ex partner for third teen and a half year maybe more, it took from 2007 when we broke up to 2019 till I started to feel myself again, not that I am aware that I face any type of Borderline personality but I know what I faced with my ex.
The link between Schizoid PD and Autism.
This does not necessarily mean you have to be facing Autism to face Schizoid PD.
Schizoid personality disorder may be is where the person may have a detachment and indifference to relationships.
This could mean for example; the person may find it hard to accept someone may not want to know them anymore, someone may not love them anymore, someone doesn’t want to be anymore than friends with them or and even to accept someone is not alive anymore. A lot of us can face this but if it takes longer than necessary such as years, or never at all to accept it is due concern. However’ if does and doesn’t necessarily mean they face Borderline Personality.
Some people with BPD may show very little or no interest and ability to form relationships with others. They may struggle to show and express their emotions.
The person may also fear rejection as well, whether is family, friends, partner etc.
Their speech may sound odd or eccentric.
Concrete, obsessional thinking
Unusual preoccupations
Social withdrawal
Emotional detachment
Odd perspective experiences
Autism symptoms
Behavior and speech difficulty
Emotional detachment
Sensory issues.
What is the difference, the same, similar between BPD?
Most people with Autism have special interests.
Schizotypal personality disorder.
This disorder is not much different Schizoid in the way of affecting social relationships and friendships but different ways.
They may struggle to express their emotions of what they face in life.
They may be unaware of
Their negative behavior on how may upset others.
This is where the person has their own eccentricities, where they may have awkward behaviors, odd ways of thinking.
Like most conditions like Autism, Schizoid, Schizoaffective,schizophrenia etc may affect people socially too.
SPDS is a chronic mental illness, where they have or people understand them to have eccentricities personally, such as magical thinking, being very superstitious or and paranoid in their thoughts, they may avoid those they mistrust.
They may dress odd, or and ramble speech others may not understand. They way they behave may make it hard for them to get by in life, such as work, school etc.
Cause is unknown as far as researcher’s know. They think it may be psychological trauma, chronic stress, even possibly family genetics.https://www.verywellhealth.com/types-of-bpd-5193843
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/personality-disorders/types-of-personality-disorder/
Treatment and support for Borderline personality disorder
There are so many different types of borderline personality disorder, it is hard to know, which treatment and support is for which one is for what.
Such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, cognitive analysis therapy, antidepressants, mood stabilizations, sleeping pills, minor, transitional etc.https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/borderline-personality-disorder-bpd/treatment-and-support/
Chapter twelve what is Schizoaffective and schizophrenia?
Schizoaffective is a disorder and mental health problem. Where people face psychosis as being a mood disorders.
Scizo is symptom of Psychosis.
Affective is mood disorder symptoms.
Some people say that Schizoaffective is in the middle of the spectrum but it is not certain, with one end bipolar.
The symptoms can start at any age. Most start in adulthood for those who face them. They may struggle to look after themselves.
Depression The mood may be low or and negative, the person may feel tired, have no energy.
They may feel helpless, hopeless, guilty even if they don’t need to be.
They may have no interest in what they normally enjoy when they feel well. They may find hard to sleep, eat more or less, change weight, diet, thought of suicide, or and death.
Mania. They may feel positive, life feels good to them.
Over active, restless, too much energy.
Talk too quickly, they may jump for joy, build their hopes up too much on things.
Struggle to focus on one topic.
Thoughts may race through their minds.
They may not need much sleep or and they may not sleep much.
Their mood be aggressive and they may feel irritable.
Yet they may become excited.
Bizarre or risk - taking behavior.
Depressive mood, feeling low.
Those who face Psychosis may face a lack of personal hygiene.
Not everyone who faces Schizoaffective will face all the symptoms, which is no different to people who face other problems either.
For instance no more than one person with the same condition will have the same experience in every thing. Except anything off anyone.
However’ Schizoaffective can be very serious, mainly if not supported because it is linked to Schizophrenia, Bipolar, depression.
Hallucination is where the person may face hearing voices, or seeing things others cannot see and or hear.
Anxiety, ptsd may be linked where they may still hear and see negative experiences they have faced as if they are still happening whether they are or not.
Delusional is if the person has strong beliefs that no one shares with them. They may fear people hearing their thoughts.
The person may struggle to think positively to a point they have too many negative thoughts in their minds.
They may even disconnect their emotions. They may find it hard to focus, with things they would enjoy when they feel well.
They may have a lack of motivation, interest, energy etc.
They may struggle to be aware of others, what they’re doing, saying, feelings etc.
Their mood may change to manic.
Increased energy.
Happy and excited with or without a reason.
Back to mood disorder where they may feel irritable and agitated.
Negative thoughts.
Back to manic, which maybe they will have an increase of sex drive.
Back to mood disorder and negative thoughts.
Unable to focus.
Back to manic, increase of self - esteem and self - confidence.
Manic more active than normal.
Talking to quick.
Very friendly.
Sleep very little.
Spend a lot of money.
Unsociable and taking risks.
The behavior goes from negative to positive, from positive to negative. Changing from one to the other, which maybe very quickly.
They maybe very confident and adventurous.
They maybe untouchable and can’t be harmed.
They may be able to carry on with normal activities and lives.
They maybe able to carry out normal daily tasks.
They may be able to see or and hear things we can’t.
They may do things out of character.
They may take a lot of drug, alcohol and spend a lot of money.
Schizoaffective may affect how they get on with people or most in the case maybe.
They may take serious risks.
From hypothermia to manic.
They may feel unhappy, ashamed of themselves.
The person may make commitments or and take on responsibilities that are unmanageable for them to cope with.
They may only remember so many things while they are in manic and hypomania.
They may feel tired and needing a lot of sleep but struggle to sleep. Over tired.
They may feel as if they need to hit a reset button where they may feel like a different person again.
Again causes of schizoaffective disorder scientists and researchers don’t know but it is thought that it may be imbalance in brain chemicals, family genetics, even subtle insults to the brain of the baby in womb before and during birth.
Treatment and support.
Counseling or psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy CBT, mindfulness - based cognitive behavior therapy MBCT WWW.nhs.Uk
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a life time long term condition.
The symptoms are psychological. The person may not know how to express their thoughts and ideas in reality.
It is very similar if not the same as Schizoaffective.
Where they may see or hear things that are not there, outside the mind, which is hallucination.
Schizophrenia is a major disorder, it affects how people think, feel, act etc. Schizophrenia is not as known as most disorders. However’ it affects the state of mind, where the person, which cause them to see or hear things we can’t.
They can feel emotional, tearful, stressed, angry, at any time, by their thoughts, reactions and behaviors, which affect their mood. There does not have to be a reason as they may have sense of fear, we may not be aware of. Meaning they may be seeing, hearing, feeling etc things not be in our presents, whatever the case may or not be.
Sczioaffective is a mood disorder asI said, which is linked to bipolar, which is a type of depression, with major depression, mood swings, changing from negative to positive.etc non stop very quickly and it is hard to keep up with.
There are similar ties , differences, even the same.
They both have the same symptoms and treatment.
Schizophrenia is a major mental illness that affects the mind, the way we think, feel and behave.
We lose touch with the real world and we are in a world of seeing, hearing etc what is not there, where others may think we are going mad because it is not in their world. The person may feel alone, but we shouldn’t judge, discriminate them etc, just because we may be in different world to them.
They are not alone, there is more than one person who faces the disorder even though it is not everyone so it is our job to learn how to understand.
The misunderstanding is distressing for them and for those who are in their lives.
However’ light treatment and support, so they can have as equal lives as possible to other people.
Achieve education, independence, friendships, relationships etc as much as possible.
They may have episodes of psychosis. There for treatment will need to start as soon as possible.
Schizophrenia may appear between the ages of sixteen to thirty years of age for those who face it. It affects the person’s mood and socializing. Schizophrenia is rare in young children.
The symptoms can vary from person to person. It falls into three categories, psychotic,negative and cognitive.
psychotic symptoms. They person thinks, feels, acts and the way they face the world may change, how they change it is unknown until it happens.
They may lose a shared sense of reality with others, where they might not be aware of what is going on around them, where the mind is in a different life to where our mind is. Anyone who does not understands schizophrenia, may misunderstand in thinking the person is going crazy, mad, they are lying, living in a dream world etc, when it is not the case, it is the disorder.
They may not be aware of what someone is talking about, they could be talking about something different to what the person who they are talking to is talking about.
Without meaning to, they may repeat what they already told you, lose track what and hasn’t said, etc.
This may mean they face hallucinations and delusional, and different mental health conditions.
Hallucination auditory, visual or tactile.
Delusional 1 false beliefs
Disorganized speech
Most people face more symptoms, which may two or and even all three.
What is Catatonia?
Catatonia is under the umbrella of psychomotor. It is a connection between the way the brain works to the person’s body movements.
This is where the person may be mentally and emotionally distressed.
Catatonia can link with another mental condition such as when the person may be facing hallucinations and delusion.
Some health professionals are still using these words but really they are now out dated but still apply. Catatonia Schizophrenia or Catatonic depression.
Catatonia can be caused by depression, bipolar, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, neurodevelopment, ADHD, Autism, substance use disorders.
Catatonia can happen in certain medical conditions such as head trauma, Cerebral folate deficiency, certain autoimmute disorders, diabetic, ketoacidosis. WWW.healthline.com
What else links into Paranoid so what is Paranoid? What is Paranoid Schizophrenia?
Paranoid Schizophrenia faces the symptoms of hallucinations and or delusions.
Hebephrenic schizophrenia may start when someone is fifteen to twenty five years old for those who may face it. It affects behaviors, hallucinations, and delusions.
The person may face speech problems that people may not be able to understand what they are saying.
People facing this type of Schizophrenia may shoal little or no emotion in facial expressions, voice, tone or and mannerisms.
Catatonia schizophrenia is a rare form of schizophrenia, which is to do with the limit of movement from being very active to very still. The person may not speak much, their speech and movement may be limited. Undifferentiated schizophrenia, the person may have signs of paranoid, hebephrenic is a type of schizophrenia that affects behavior and speech.
Psychotic symptoms.
Hearing,voices, sounds, noises others may not hear, which is paranoid.
Thinking others know what they are thinking even if others have not said, believing world events are connected to them. health.Clevelandclinic.org
Cenesthopathic schizophrenia.
If the person has had a history of Psychosis so they may face negative symptoms. For eg; slow movement, poor memory, struggling to focus, and poor hygiene.
Simple schizophrenic
It is rare in the Uk, which are the same symptoms as residual schizophrenic but happens sooner and worse but linked in with positive symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized, thinking but it is rare.
Cenesthopathic schizophrenic
The person may face different sort of body sensation.
Unspecified schizophrenia.
It meets the general condition to be diagnosed, it is not in the above categories. Whereas there are two types of schizoaffective Bipolar and depression, which I have already gone through.
https://mentalhealth-uk.org/help-and-information/conditions/schizophrenia/types-of-schizophrenia/
Major depression episodes.
Major sadness, feeling destroyed, they may feel ashamed, guilty etc.
They may lose interest in things people are interested normally even.
They may sleep too much or two little.
They may eat too much or too little.
They may drink too much or too little, such as soft drinks, alcohol, hot drinks etc, depending what you they like.
They may increase on addictions such as drug, alcohol etc.
struggle with diet.
They may be fatigue.
They may find it hard to make decisions.
They may have thoughts of suicide or and death.
Revision.
Remember schizo means psychosis.
Affective means mood.
How does psychosis affect schizophrenia?
How does Affective affect mood?
Psychosis is seeing or and hearing things others don’t. Hallucinations
Delusion. Strong beliefs, no one shares. WWW.mind.org.Uk
Mood going from mantic to depression.
Suicide feelings and thoughts. Study on the mind website.
Mood disturbances where the person’ mood changes from negative to positive and the other way round.
Cognitive impairment is memory difficulties, struggling to plan and organize things, struggle to pay attention to people and world around them. Finding it hard to focus.
Diagnostic DMS - 5 to diagnose with Schizoaffective disorder, major mood, which may last at least two weeks and may the next two weeks without mood symptoms https://health.clevelandclinic.org/schizoaffective-disorder-vs-schizophrenia/
Chapters third teen learning disability and mental health awareness for services, ogainazins , charities and more.
A Mentor is a role model, who supports, guidance, inspiration, moves a Mentee forward in positive ways, professional friend, good communicator, patience researcher, help fix goals, share experiences, easy to talk to and flexible.
The Mentor empowers the Mentee to achieve goals the Mentee wants to achieve, who supports and listens to the Mentee. communicates and builds the Mentee’s self confidence and esteem up. The talks through the answers to any questions and problems the Mentee may have.
Don’t want to put a restriction on this but it counseling, mentoring, Advocacy etc is conditional as possible but important contacts should be considered. I would advise that you both have your phone etc on silent but near you so you see calls coming through. I would advise one let’s the other know you need to leave the room to take the call and you be back when call is finished. If you can’t for whatever reason like, the session due to finish by the time call is finished, then whoever got the call need to contact the other to let them know, the call took longer than they thought but they needed to take it for whatever reason. If the call is not it important whoever gets the call ask the other person in the room if it is okay, if they can give the caller a quick text to say they will contact them soon as the session ends.
Room safety.
Health and safety for both to you and the person.
Check with person what sort of room they want.
No noise and distractions.
Suitable layout of building and room.
Correct temperature of room not too hot not too cold.
Suitable amount of space in the room.
Easy place for the mentee and you to travel to.
A room and building that is comfortable for both of you.
It may not always be possible but it is never an easy one. Try to get quiet area with less traffic, which may it easier for you and the person.
Most people with Autism may struggle with sound and noise.
You both have right’s for privacy but people in the building need to get about too, therefore it may an idea to try for a building that is soundproof, so less of what is less likely what is said is not heard and so you and the person can focus.
Appointments. You time should be grateful for whether you paid or not. Your clients, mentees etc; have responsibility to cancel appointments, and the other way round too. mainly you have planned to meet at places not local to you both and the fact you will be working hard to. You will need to contact the building know, your canceling the appointment or the client, mentee etc is, you won’t be needing the room after all.Your personal safety.
It should be-your rights to report the person if face this.
Personal safety, boundaries, safety guidelines.guarding .
You should not have accept any verbal, none verbal, emotional, physical abuse etc, violence, aggression, if they behave in ways you feel is not acceptable.Cameras should be in the room mainly when there is just only you and the person in the room.
Try to make sure there is someone working in the building you can call, text, email etc, in case you face any problems with the person, even if they don’t work with with you. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20/contents
Make sure there is enough space for you both-to sit in a chair opposite the door.
Make sure wires are out the way, maybe a table for a laptop etc.
Make sure exits are clear.
If the mentee doesn’t feel comfortable, they make struggle so make sure the building and room is comfortable as possible.
Try to see that there is a clock in the room that is tell the right time, in case which is unlikely that you don’t remember you devices but if the tick on the clock irritates one of you both make sure you have the time some other way. If this is so maybe ask the manager if he or she is there, ask them if the can be take out. If none of you a device with the time or no device at all, ask manager or staff in the building if there is anything with time on you can borrow and you will give it back after the session. If not tell what time you are finishing, ask if it possible someone could come up to room at that time, when it is time for you both to go, there is no access of time in the room.
If needs be find out if the client mind a landline in the room because there is no access to the time at all, make sure you get a phone number, email etc of someone in the building so you could call them if you need to for whatever reason.
Your personal safety.
It should be-your rights to report the person if face this.
Personal safety, boundaries, safety guidelines.guarding .
You should not have accept any verbal, none verbal, emotional, physical abuse etc, violence, aggression, if they behave in ways you feel is not acceptable.Cameras should be in the room mainly when there is just only you and the person in the room.
Try to make sure there is someone working in the building you can call, text, email etc, in case you face any problems with the person, even if they don’t work with with you. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20/contents
Contact your manager to let him or her know what has happened, they are responsible to do the right thing whatever the case may be.
Your rights to leave etc if you are not happy with the way the manager has dealed with it. There are all sorts of extremes of behaviors, situations etc and different ways of dealing with them.
If you just leaving the service and sorry is-not goodness enough, maybe look online how you can take things further but hopefully you will never find yourself in your career having to deal with anyone who is unsafe.
Most behaviors not all are down to mental illness but some are on purpose.
That does not mean you safety doesn’t matter as well as the person’s.
Contact your manager to let him or her know what has happened, they are responsible to do the right thing whatever the case may be.
Your rights to leave etc if you are not happy with the way the manager has dealed with it. There are all sorts of extremes of behaviors, situations etc and different ways of dealing with them.
Such as contact detail form, Mentoring session action plan, first meeting check list, confidentiality agreement.
Counseling,Useful skills to learn for Mentoring, coaching, counseling, consulting, Advocacy and more
Think about the skills and qualifications you need and already have, such as personal safety, the Mentee’s safety, boundaries.
Some not most IT, device and internet skills.
You may have to use counseling skills such as active listening, focusing, attending, paraphrasing, summarizing, clarifying, reflecting, silencing, communicating verbally and nonverbally, understanding, supporting, sharing, engaging, encouraging, empowering, trust building, empathy, moving things forward, building confidence, health and safety rules, boundaries, policies, analyzing, studying, researching, counseling, none judgments, including people from all backgrounds, completing partnerships forms, chairing meetings, reporting concerns, keeping everything to do with the Mentee confidential.
Useful skills to learn, interviewing, shadowing, teaching etc.
practicing sernarioes, looking for work-placements, do you need support to find the education and employment for you? Learn about the role in what you want to do.
Learn how to answer questions Mentee’s may ask.
The good thing to thing to see, is see the mentee improving, feeling good about themselves, improving confidence, communication, relationship building rewarding but relationships building with in the mentoring only.
Making things easy for those with special needs, disabilities, mental illness and more.
We spend a lot of time so unaware how much counseling is needed but understandable why most people can’t and won’t open up. Also, to understand that over the last so many years, waiting lists have increased in professional mental health services and charities etc. people have choice of opening up or not but always the case for everyone, most people can’t but are possible risk to the person’s mental health the more time they don’t to open up but it is also understandable why not as much as why. Like finding out waiting lists are full and or other reasons.
However’ this why I decided to write this book. Not everyone wants to work in the mental health field but mental health charities and services are very busy and struggling to find time to support those who open up to mental health support and it is huge concern as well to the ones who do not for whatever reason, which means more people who have the interest learn how to support those who do open up.
Communication skills.
Where your field of work is counseling, mentoring, coaching, advocacy etc. It is important to prepare your self to have as many communication skills you can get as you may come across different sort of people with different sort of and more.
Personally I think it is important when someone contacts to join your services, you find out from them or and if the have major needs etc, someone they know like a parent, support worker, carer, etc may contact on their behalf, though you may need to hear voice etc to prove whoever contacted to start with is contacting on behalf of a vulnerable person. As for people who can’t speak or and only have a limit of speech, maybe plan a video chat, with the person who has contacted so you can see the person they are supporting, even if they have no or very little, limited communication skills.
Therefore’what how many communication skills you may used may vary to people’s needs etc.
Communication skills is not just needed in counseling, advocacy, mentoring, coaching etc but anything to do with in the work fields of supporting vulnerable people, plus counseling skills.
what is parroting?
What communication skill you need to you use depends on the person’s needs, disabilities and more.
parroting means copying and reflecting on what the person is saying. Also, parroting meaning copying in the actions for eg; if they move their arms you may need to move yours, which is their form communication.
Accessible information, easy read, large print, difficult color, paper and writing to the person’s choice.
Different types of support different things.
Education and employment.
Counseling skills come in handy for other skills such as Mentoring, coaching, teaching, Advocacy and more as well as counseling it’s self.
Helping people to achieve goals, For example; education and training-coping skills in emotional wellbeing and more.
Advocacy.
Advocacy is empowerment to give those people a voice who struggle to speak for themselves in different ways of life. Empowering people to cope with hard legal situations. Such a money, benefits, crime etc. https://www.pohwer.net/what-is-advocacy
Empowering and encouraging self confidence, self esteem, potential, insights, actions etc.
Mentoring. Advising, training, knowledge, transfer etc.
Finding things.
Consulting. Analysis, research, remediations etc.
Emotional wellbeing.
Counseling. Personal, psychological problems, emotional problems, guidance etc.
Psycholotherpy. Past experience, self reflection, treatment.
Interduction to Mentoring.
Rapport, build the relationship.
Introduce your self to the mentee. Find out who they are.
While building the relationship, ofter the mentee a drink.
Tell them your name, your job role, name of the organization and your work , works.
Ask them if they are happy with the way the service works and ask them whether or not they want to sigh up, if so help them.
find out their name, age, date of birth etc to sign up to the service.
The Interduction is always a chance to any paperwork that needs doing, which may or may not take up the first appointment session. Health, safety, policy, rules of the services you need to explain to the Mentee.
The Mentee’s and Your personal safety as a Mentor.
It should be-your rights to report the person if face this.
Personal safety, boundaries, safety, rules, guidelines.guarding on what is except and what is not.Boundaries are put there to stop you from doing things that should and should not do in the eyes of the law. There are consequences if they are broken.
It is important to keep what the mentee says to you confidence but raise any concerns of health and safety only with the manager or and people you work with if for any reason the manager is not free or and around. As a Mentor, counselor, coach etc, you must be trustworthy, good communication skills mainly listening,
Both parties should have respect and freedom of information of expression.
Also, if they have the respect and trust the Mentee will feel more secure and confident.
By having that Mutual trust it will help the Mentee to talk to the Mentor without worrying about trust being broken and they can share experiences without confidentiality being broken.
You should not have accept any verbal, none verbal, emotional, physical abuse etc, violence, aggression, if they behave in ways you feel is not acceptable.Cameras should be in the room mainly when there is just only you and the person in the room.
Try to make sure there is someone working in the building you can call, text, email etc, in case you face any problems with the person, even if they don’t work with with you. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20/contents
Contact your manager to let him or her know what has happened, they are responsible to do the right thing whatever the case may be.
Your rights to leave etc if you are not happy with the way the manager has dealed with it. There are all sorts of extremes of behaviors, situations etc and different ways of dealing with them.
If you just leaving the service and sorry is-not goodness enough, maybe look online how you can take things further but hopefully you will never find yourself in your career having to deal with anyone who is unsafe.
Most behaviors not all are down to mental illness but some are on purpose.
That does not mean you safety doesn’t matter as well as the person’s.
If you just leaving the service and sorry is-not goodness enough, maybe look online how you can take things further but hopefully you will never find yourself in your career having to deal with anyone who is unsafe.
Most behaviors not all are down to mental illness but some are on purpose.
That does not mean you safety doesn’t matter as well as the person’s.
Contact your manager to let him or her know what has happened, they are responsible to do the right thing whatever the case may be.
Your rights to leave etc if you are not happy with the way the manager has dealed with it. There are all sorts of extremes of behaviors, situations etc and different ways of dealing with them.
Such as contact detail form, Mentoring session action plan, first meeting check list, confidentiality agreement.
The relationship must be within the mentoring within working hours whether you know the person or not. People you may know who you may know for sure are going to be a problem, you must let your manager know and are responsible to decide what is the right thing to do.
Whether the your service is mentoring, counseling, coaching etc, when it comes to the Interduction, when someone calls to join the service health and safety check should be considered, when the person firsts contacts before the first face to face appointment, or and appointment, such as video chat etc. I understand it is not always possible to check important things from the start.
However’ dishonesty, unreliable people etc can cost the service a lot of money and a lot of time wasted for managers and staff.
It is possible the Mentee may have found your service online, the service’s website, newsletter etc.
Many times when I have come across services, I have been asked more than once.
How did you find out of about us?
This may be something you may need to ask people who come across the service you work for or even manage.
When the person has first contacted, you may need to check what sort of location the person likes, health, safety etc.
For eg; most people may not like very hot room.
Others may not like a very cold room.
Make sure there are no flicking lights for example.
Where is near to them and you?
Transport, traveling etc, for you and the person.
Checking appointments.
Checking with your manager what the service does and doesn’t do.
You may need to contact places then get back to the person to them know what is possible and what is not so make sure you get their contact details and keep everything confidential.
It also, important to make sure the person is reliable because your time is important not to waste, mainly when your traveling to see them wherever it may be. Such as making and canceling appointments etc.
Introduce your self to the mentee.
What is a role of a Mentor?
A role model of a mentor is someone who someone looks up to and learns from. Someone who empowers and encourages someone. Someone to look up to, similar if not the same as yourself.
Someone to support you, someone to give you support, advice and guidance.
Someone to inspire you and move you forward in a positive way. This is why Mentoring services match up Mentees to Mentors with similar if not the same to them, to be listened to, professional friend within the mentoring, communicator, someone who is patient, easy to talk to and flexible.
A researcher, a person who fixes goals, share experience, someone you can trust and respect.
As a l Mentor, if you weren’t a good role model, you wouldn’t be able to gain the Mentee’s trust. Therefore, it would not be successful.
Start of session.
Listening skills are important because this will encourage the Mentee to talk as the Mentor listens and makes notes. No interrupting while the Mentee is talking. Using eye contact, watching body language theirs and yours,
Leaving your emotions, arguments, thoughts behind, get rid of any distractions.
Start with asking the Mentee the reason or reasons for the sessions.
Feedback sandwich Model.
Begin with the same position comments regarding the situation in question.
Give praise for the person’s strong points.
Give complements.
Give caustructive criticism.
Remind them of their strengths and strong points.
Give thanks, ofter support in areas that are for improvement and leave at a positive note.
Use the tool. Mentor and Mentee need to look at what needs to change to become the Mentee’s goal, the Mentee wants to achieve. It must be a smart goal that is specific, measurable, achievable realistic and time -bound.
It is important to empowerment the Mentee to try to solve the problem or reach the goal. The Mentor may have to consider were they are missing skill/information needed to the goals -current reality.
Establish objectives and explaining the possible options.
Give feedback is a key role of the Mentor to the Mentee’s need regular, constructive feedback to continue the process and develop. Provide feedback can also increase morale, bring on teamwork and enhance the quality of the service given. Therefore’ feedback can be source of anxiety for both giver and receiver.
There is a lot of advice about giving feedback: some of it is down to view of learning.
Listening skills are important because this will encourage the Mentee to talk as the Mentor listens and makes notes. No interrupting while the Mentee is talking. Using eye contact, watching body language theirs and yours,
Leaving your emotions, arguments, thoughts behind, get rid of any distractions.
Ask open and closed questions to understand what the Mentee wants from the meetings. They allow longer responses, make sure you find out important information. For eg; what happened?
Checking. Ensure that the Mentor understands correctly what the Mentee says. Eg;Are you sure?
Listen carefully, use positive body language such as nodding your head to say your listening and paying attention to what they are saying.
Make notes either hand written or on word processor on an IT device.
We all make mistakes at times, say too much etc. It is important to see if the Mentee is happy with the way you have written about their situation so make sure you clarify and paraphrasing,
In counseling you cannot give advice, you can only make suggestions and offer opinions, with Mentoring you can do all three of those but with both Mentoring and counseling the person you are trying to help has rights to their choices whatever the case maybe.
.
Ask open and closed questions to understand what the Mentee wants from the meetings.
Listen carefully, use positive body language such as nodding your head to say your listening and paying attention to what they are saying.
Make notes either hand written or on word processor on an IT device.
We all make mistakes at times, say too much etc. It is important to see if the Mentee is happy with the way you have written about their situation so make sure you clarify and paraphrasing.
In counseling you cannot give advice, you can only make suggestions and offer opinions, with Mentoring you can do all three of those but with both Mentoring and counseling the person you are trying to help has rights to their choices whatever the case maybe.
When focusing, you have the full attention on the client or Mentee’s wants,needs, feelings emotions, behaviors, reactions, thoughts, what they are saying, interactions etc.
Your study case one.
Susan is forty years of age.
She has been an abuseive relationship with B.
They had one child together.
B is not allowed to see his daughter without supervision.
A wants a job and wants to go back to college.
She wants to do childcare.
She had low marks in her maths and English and other subjects at school, due to the face of having losing her son as she was young as at time, she was still at school education age.
She is a young single Mom but she also has an older boy Mark whose in care, who she has been frighting to see all his life, he is in his teens or twenties.
Her first child was taken into care because she was so young when she had him.
He was conceived of a rape, when she was third teen and the youngest child is her exe’s, who is a girl Julie, she is eight.
Despite of her negative personal life, she is wanting to focus on her career in a positive way.
How would you empower A to help herself?
Would you get your manager, staff you work with or and other services etc involved, if so why?
Role play
If you are with another student or and trainee, take in turns to play the part of the mentor and mentee, dealing with a situation like Susan’s. How would you try to them as a Mentor. As a Mentee, what can the Mentor do for you? Also, when the being Mentee how you help yourself? Mentor, how can you empower and encourage your mentee? Put yourselves in the Mentee’s shoes, empathy.
Case study two.
Name of Mentee. Fred Blogs.
Seventeen year old Fred wants a career in computers.
He has special needs and struggles to comprehend and he has lost his confidence because no one in school didn’t have the patience to support him.
To support and empower the mentee to ask education and employment to achieve his goals, what would those steps be?
Set up an environment where the mentee can feel comfortable and safe.
Let the Mentee do most of the talking, focus on what they say.
Take them seriously.
Respect the mentee’s opinion and beliefs.
Explore the Mentee’s world and yourself in the Mentee’s shoes. Empathy.
Give suggestions, opportunities, options, feedback etc.
Give them choice response ability, and control of what they want to do.
Empower the Mentee to do what the achieve.
Role play.
The same as case one, if you are with another student or and trainee. Take it in turns to be the mentor and mentee. As a mentee try to put yourself in Fred’s place, he struggled to learn in school. He really wants to achieve.
When focusing, you have the full attention on the client or Mentee’s wants,needs, feelings emotions, behaviors, reactions, thoughts, what they are saying, interactions etc.
Good communication skills are helpful and important such as gestures, body language, listening, paraphrasing, parroting, sign language, brail etc skills will come in handy to help understanding of vulnerable people, depending on disabilities etc they face.
If the Mentee feels they are not understood, they may go quiet. It is important to focus on the reason why the Mentee has come to see you.
Looking back on the Mentee’s reason or reasons for the session.
Reflect on what they are taking about. Reflection is action, which means you are taking what the Mentee is saying seriously. Look at what did and did not go well. It will be used to improve the Mentor’s performance how to help the Mentee.
It will help the mentor to find out their strengths and weaknesses in skills as a Mentor and change to practice when necessary. Clarification, don’t make assumptions.
Awareness raising. Purpose develops a sense of responsibility actions and commitment for eg; How did it feel when you were doing that?
Justifying. Games of responsibility attitudes and feelings. eg; What makes you think that?
Hypothetical. Interduction to a new idea of concept. For eg; What if?
Probing. Added detail. Eg; how did you did that?
Supporting mental illness. Even though I only know basic counseling skills, I have faced Anxiety and Depression all my life but start without being aware of it.
Even though I have been Mentor Befriender, I can fully understand why people who won’t go for counseling won’t but really basic counseling is only emotional support. However’ I also understand those who will feel comfortable with nothing else but counseling either. I myself don’t mind either way but not everyone is the same. Depending what you are facing etc, you may or may not feel you more than one treatment, support etc. For example; antidepressants and counseling or emotional support etc.
When I had a nervous breakdown when I was twenty seven back in the last nineties, I was advised by friends counseling and antidepressants I refused both first because I was afraid I would get worse and people would think I was mad etc. As time went on I decided to go for counseling but not antidepressants back then because I was afraid I may over dose because I had done so on Epilepsy medication when I was twenty.
My Father me to see a psychiatrist, all she said was that I just needed to get on with life, which I did not find it easy to take on board, I was not sure why at the time but years later my counselor at time told me, by what I had been telling her, I had been facing mental emotional abuse from my ex partner for years.
Like everyone and everything really some people benefit from counseling others do not. I am not expecting everyone to be like me, I am not saying I was right or wrong, there is no right or wrong, it is what is best for you, well the person, but you never know unless you give it a go.
Personally for me now, I am on Anti depressants, which I started about a year ago.
Whereas I used to refuse to go antidepressants before.
Now I realize how much I need them.
Before I was afraid of being addicted, now maybe I am but I still have my moments but admit I am not as unhappy, moody and as anxious as I was but it still never goes away. However’ it may be different for others.
I am on Citalopfiam, I think I maybe quite a bit calmer than I was.
I think I still over think things but maybe not as much as I did. At times it has been as if someone is in my head telling me off. I use to a lot feel as though I either should be not be doing, saying something.
Going over what you people said to me through the day etc. It still happens but it has got a bit less now plus a bit less suicidal thoughts as well.
Interduction to basic counseling skills.
Just to let you know that learning counseling skills does not necessarily make you a counselor but you may learn the basics, which you maybe able to take into any or and most career’s your in, family, friends etc.
However’ Counseling is in important because trying to help people’s’ emotional wellbeing is important. When our emotional wellbeing is not good it affects our lives, the way we work, socialize and more.
When most things are going good for us, it helps us work, socialize and do more better.
The basic of counseling is more so emotional support. A little bit like first aid psychical and mental, which help the professionals.
Before the Covid 19 pandemic there had been many cuts on services, which mental health, counseling etc was one of them.
When Covid 19 pandemic kicked in, it a huge affect on a lot people’s emotional wellbeing where the government started to put more money into services but the waiting lists were too high, they were so busy to a not everyone could get appointments.
Lockdown lasted on and off for two to three years from March 2020 to 2022.
Since then we have had the Russian and Ukraine war, cost of living crisis, Israeli and Gaza war, which another crisis costing us a fortune, where mental health services etc is still struggling more so.
Counseling and emotional support is a type of support and treatment that empowers and encourages people to open up to someone about what is bothering them.
Not necessarily to solve their problems but help, empower, encourage them to be independent enough for them to try to solve their own problems or and learn to live with what is going on around them.
No one is force ed to go for emotional support counseling etc but it is an option that is offered.
I think it is understandable why someone will not and will consider it.
There are other types of treatments and support, such as therapy, mindfulness, meditation, medication and more.
Not everyone considers any sort of help for many reasons, that is their choice but I will honest to say unless they are managing it on their own, the problem won’t even try to get sorted if a person doesn’t try to get help.
No one deserves to suffer in silence but nothing has the chance of getting better if they don’t try.
You don’t have to be a qualified, trained, professional counselor to be there for someone who is not feeling themselves for whatever reason or even no reason at all.
All it takes is being a good listener, not judging, value the way the person thinks, feels, behaves, and reacts etc even if you disagree, it is all about the person.
Despite of that, that does not mean you have to tolerate any unsafe behavior either, which is your rights to report.
Whether is in a workplace or elsewhere. Even the smartest amount of support may safe people’s’ lives, in what they maybe facing, how it may be affecting them, how they may be feeling etc. Get in touch with the professionals if needs be, don’t do anything your not qualified and trained to do, mainly when it comes to health and safety.
Reason why people won’t or will try to get help, for example; not wanting to talk to people they don’t know, even though everything has to be confidential, fear of how others react, what they may say, what they may think even though the counselor has to consider the client’s feelings, opinion etc not their own. Yet there are other people may feel comfortable talking to someone they don’t know rather than those they do for all sorts of reasons only the person knows themselves.
Basic counseling skills.
What is counseling skills?
It is important for the counselor to help the client explore the problem. The client is likely to be stressed with the problem.
Counselor needs to encourage and empower the client to focus on their feelings, it is the counselor’s job to do that. The counselor needs to find out from the client what they want improve and achieve, then help the client achieve their goals.
The counselor needs to make the client aware of confidentially.
Counselors do not judge.
The counselors do not give advice but suggests things and ofter opinions that is not promised to solve the problem but it is also the counselor’s job to empower the client to things for themselves, get support by the manager, staff in the service, websites, other services etc. counselors can referral clients to certain services etc if needs be and if the client agrees.
Coping skills such as cognitive behavioral therapy
Active listening skills
Paraphrasing, reflecting, mirroring, researching.
Attending
Eye contact
Full attention to what the client is saying
Body language
Gestures
Facial expressions
How to speak to the client.
Counseling skills can be useful in and out the workplace because you never know who may need you help. Your friend, family etc are just as important as your client’s, patience etc.
For the last four years or more at least. Waiting lists for counseling and Emotional support maybe still is and has been high plus funding issues. Being there for people should not cost anything, you don’t need to make someone feel completely themselves again to help mental health professionals out. You just need to make people feel comfortable until someone can the help the person some more.
Health and safety room and building check. For eg; ask the person if they like the window open or closed.
Would they like the heating on etc?
Check out traveling, transport, where’s best for the person and you etc.
Check lights are working, no flickering lights etc, if any problems find out if they can be fixed at the time you are going there. If not talk to the person about other places, get in contact with them. If you are helping someone out of work etc, friend, family member say, for eg; your place or theirs.
With people you don’t know you may need to find out of how they feel com-table whether it is in or out of work, training etc.
Consider privacy, know who and what to report to if the person’s or and your health and safety is in danger.
Same with appointments, times, dates, etc.
Interduction and build a rapport.
Health and safety guidelines.
Build the relationship meaning within the counseling, which helps the client get to know you as a counselor and you to get to know the person as a client.
However’ if you know the person already, if the session takes place in your workplace, or and working hours etc, they are your clients the same as your other clients are.
As important looking for your clients are, this is only for the problems, if they have come to see you, it needs to understood you cannot and cannot get close to one another so you need to draw that line.
Any close bond between you and those you know already you need to separate that from work and out of work, if that is hard for, this not the job for you. This is because services are not responsible for behaviors out of the workplace, health, safety etc.
Whereas out of work and hours it is seen as socially and friendship but considering the person who is struggling at all times.
However’ if you come across someone you know and don’t get along with who comes into your workplace etc, it should be your right to ask your manager to arrange for another counselors to try to help this person. Also, if you for sure the person’s behavior maybe a danger to others and themselves, you a duty to your manager know what you know about them etc.
Even though it is your job to your client, their situation etc, you matter as well, you should be able to report any behavior etc from the client that you feel worried they may be putting you in danger etc. Most mental illnesses, strength of mental illnesses, such people who face major ones,
Start the session.
Introduce yourself to the person if you don’t know them already.
A bit about yourself work wise maybe a little bit about your past work experience and about how the service you for now works.
Find out their name, give them a chance to say a bit about themselves.
Offer them a drink.
If you do know them, if you are working , training etc, let them know you, you need to be forcing your job only , meaning the reason why the person has come to see you.
Even not in work try to still stick to safety etc as much as possible.
If in work, training etc, you may need to through paperwork with the person, health and safety act such as Data Protection act, Freedom of Information etc.
Explain the rules, laws, boundaries of the service you work for etc,
Help person sign up to the service etc.
What is the problem?
Ask the person what is the problem? How can you help? Think about how the problem can be solved.
Self awareness.
Active listening. Let the person talk , listen to what they say, and write notes as they talk. Let them know you are listening.
No one is skilled and trained with everything so you may need to find help from someone or and-somewhere. What one person cannot do, another one.
Such as websites online information, people you work with, etc.
Communication non verbal, verbal, sign launage, brail etc, active listening,
Empathy.Try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. How would you feel if you we’re facing what they have, have you faced the same but similar etc? What would you do or try to?
Attending. Make sure you the client your full attention that you are doing everything you can to help and empower them to solve her problem. Make you sure they know you are paying attention to what they are doing, saying etc and you are taking everything into consideration. That you value their wants and needs.
Silence and active listening skills. Let the client know your listening to every word they say. Let them talk and take notes as you listen.
Normal sessions are hour, going by when I was a client but if someone has a necessary reason to need extra time, then that may be something you may be able to talk to your manager about. As far time is concerned, this may also depend on how the service you work for.
Give the client free space to say what is bothering them. Let them gain clarity on the difficulties, they face and consider a possible way forward. They may need to say how they feel, think, etc, which you will need to focus on what they are saying to how you can help them improve the situation or and how they can can try to improve the situation.
Person centered approach. Empathy, try to put yourself in someone’s shoes and situation. This is not an easy one unless you have been wherever yourself.
Learn to understand the person’s point of view. Congruence. A counselor must be a genuine person.
Unconditional positive regard, the counselor must not judge the client.
You may need to involve someone or and somewhere etc but make sure the client has a say if they are okay or to have someone or and somewhere involved. Also, make your manager aware as well.You are not here to solve their problem but support, encourage, empower them to least improve their lives.
This is where the client may need more time to talk, maybe an hour and a half instead of an hour, depending on whether or not your manager can afford to pay you for your time, government funding, whether or not the client can afford to pay, if so how much etc, whether or not the service is private etc.
Reflection Let the person know you are listening to them. Make sure you knows your listening and understanding. Reflect on what the client has said, make not pick on everything they are saying as it is hard to write or and type in time of someone talking, mainly if you face Dyslexia. However’ if that is the case, yours workplace should offer you special equipment. Also take the client’s needs considerations as well and make your manager aware.
Read to the client what you have written
Ask them if you have understood them, written down everything important to them, do they need you to take information out, do they need you to put in information in etc?
( parahasing).
Now I understand you may only have so much time with the client but it is important to make sure you are understanding the client as fully as possible. Make you go over everything till your client is satisfied with what you have done.
However’ I am sure the client will understand you may not get a lot done in hour. Therefore’ may you could go over their report after the session or and give them their next session to check, even get their email address and email it to them before the next session.
Do not pass any client’s details, information etc to anyone without their permission. However’ if something concerns theirs or and your health and safety, only your manager or even people who work in the same service and job you are etc, therefore you should tell the client what you are going to do and reasons why.
Try to make sure you pick on the gist of the problem, for eg; if the client has been hurt etc. such as relationship break up, abuse, rape, bullying, family problems, rows, fall out with friends, bullying and more.
This could be a person age with or without disabilities etc. Children, teenager, adult, middle age person even the elderly, just that different services may have different age groups etc.
Everyone should matter.
Try to empower the person to make changes.
or not.
What is not likely to happen etc.
The person has a choice and it is up to them to try.
You should not give them a hard time if they don’t try either. If they do try it is in their time only.
This could be giving suggesting, and options counselors are not allowed to give advice advise because the idea is to try to help the person be independent as possible.
Here’s an eg; you don’t tell them to go left, the middle or right. You don’t tell them to climb a mountain or not but you can tell them what is likely to happen if they go one way or the other
You just need to tell them things to bare in, whether they try soon, the future or not at all.
However’ you can tell them what the consequences are likely to be if needs.
If things don’t work out for them, you can others suggestions, options etc. Always do your research beforehand so you don’t give the wrong suggestions, options etc.
This may not just mean the internet etc but people your work etc but always ask the person if that’s okay with them first.
Don’t do what they don’t want to do. However‘anything you are uncertain ask your manager or even someone you work with etc, never do anything your uncertain of.
Questioning
Thinking clarifying opening and closing questions.
Clarifying. Make sure the client knows they have your full attention. Bring on open and closed questions. Example of open questions what happened? How did it happen? Did he do this? Did she do this? Did they do this? How are you today? Good morning good afternoon as an open statement. Start of the session.
Open questions start with How?, Why? What?
Closed questions would, will, could, can, have, has, which, who, when and where?
Example; Open question. How did happen? Yes and no questions. Did he do this? Did she do this? Did they do this? This whatever it is likely to be what the client has gone through.
You explore the problem. Eg; Freda Bloggs got robbed at the bus stop. Who robbed her? She may say Fred Blogs. What did he take? He took my bag. You ask her to describe the her bag. She tells you black leather say. You may say. What was in there? 25.00 in cash in read purse, and iPhone six and house keys say.
What did he look. She tells you he has dark brown curly short hair and brown eyes.
Naturally she is feeling very upset and may be shaken. She may feel frightened, she may feel she has no trust in anyone.
You may ask, Did you call the police? She may yes. That is an open yes or no question.
You may ask . What was the outcome? She may say that she has do a statement. He was six foot three, dark brown curly hair, brown eyes. She may say, the police told me they will be in contact.
You may ask when did this happened.she says 24th November 2023 say.
You may say, Where did this happen. She says Outside the Gunmakers Arms Wolverhampton.
What happens now?
Freda’s state of mind is not likely to be good naturally. She is just waiting to hear off the police.
You want to ask her if she has got her locks changed and, sorted. If she says no, ask her if she is staying with someone she knows, you don’t need to know who as long as she has someone to stay with somewhere and the person is someone she knows. If she says no and a day or two since the problem to when she sees you has gone by. You may need to ask where she has been sleeping etc. Hopefully not but she may have been sleeping on the streets say. This is a health and safety concern so there for you need to tell the person, you need to speak to your manager, maybe another member of staff who works with you or look for help and support online such as mentor service, the council etc for her to have somewhere her to stay or and live.
learn to understand the reasons why people would and would not consider counseling.
Learn how to use counseling techniques correctly and affectedly.
The client has the right to say what they like without being judged.
However’ you have rights to report any unacceptable, unreasonable or and unlawful behavior to your manager, if the person behaves in way you don’t deserve to face.
Counselors should explore the client’s feelings, emotions, way of thinking, behavior, reactions, interactions, etc.
You must wonder why I am writing about suicide awareness and prevention.https://www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/research-policy/suicide-facts-and-figures/latest-suicide-data/
This is understandable because it is a sensitive subject but it needs to be understood why people may feel as they do. At the same time I want to try and save as many lives as possible so people feel at ease to tell people what is bothering them as much as possible.https://www.supportline.org.uk/
This is not an easy subject to write about but I feel it is important for us to learn support as many people possible to live.
A lot of people may struggle to talk about how they feel. They may worry about worrying people. They may feel guilty about their feelings and thoughts even if they don’t need to be.
Of course family, friends, other people they know matter. Losing people and animals in your lives are huge losses.
The first thing that goes through a lot of people’s minds, when they hear about people thinking about talking own lives, having suicidal feelings or and taking their own lives, that the person does not think about how the people they know feel. They are neither right or wrong. Of course it is a complete heartbreak for those who know them like parents, family, friends and more. Also, when feeling so low in yourself to a point you feel as if you are not going to get through. You see no way of coping, when in the moment of dispear you don’t feel strong as if you cannot see how you can bounce back.https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/world-suicide-prevention-day/
People’s reactions may not be the only reason, there may be all sorts of reasons and different situations hit different people in different ways. With some things it may be hard for one person to why a certain thing may hit them harder than them.
Therefore’ not saying it will help with everyone but there may be times I come out with May be the wrong things to say, the wrong tone etc, meaning we all or a lot of us may need to make each feel as relaxed to talk to one another as much as possible. Others reasons may be some people may worry how they going to tell someone and what they will say and think.
Don’t get me wrong I welcome people to talk but I don’t force people to do and do not force people to-talk either.
As much as everyone’s feelings count and it is understandable why those around the people will feel hurt.
We don’t know how long someone has been struggling but however long or short, they feel as if they have the weight of the world on their shoulders.
We don’t know why and how they struggling unless they tell us but there may be all sorts of reasons why they may not say either.
This is why it is important to not judge and not to make them felt guilty about how the problem is driving the person or and what is making them feel unhappy and to remember sometimes in some people it is no reason at all.
I understand when it is no reason it maybe hard you understand why someone feels unhappy and why this unhappy.
It not be the case for everyone but the most common reason when there is no reason is very often loneliness.
It might be if someone has lost their careers such as job, business loss etc. Money problems.
Therefore, it is easy for us to say go on a course for example but if they can’t afford that, it may not be an easy one for them. They may or may not feel ready yet.
Therefore, you may suggest asking what they enjoy hobby wise for example, this may or may not help or take time till it does as when not feeling one’s self some people may not be able to force on even the things they normally enjoy.
Truthfully none of us really know our strengths and even weaknesses, when in the moments of negativity, the reaction of different people and different situations life throws at us, is different.
For eg; there could be a difference between how we react to a person who doesn’t want to know us anymore to if someone we know dies.
Even then some of us are more sensitive and we may feel less stronger than others.
As much as everyone’s feelings matter, without putting any shame and guilt anyone.
I cannot help but say because it is most likely true.
One of reasons most people may not try to get help is because they may be afraid of upsetting others why they feel that way and how they may react in other ways even. This is very concerning.
Examples of possible reasons, loneliness. Money problems, cost of living housing problems, social ing problems such as family, friends, and other people we know, careers problems, cuts, job, business losses etc.
People could be struggling with their own problems, feelings and emotions.
They may feel alone in their thoughts because they may worry about people’s’ reaction, that may upset people how the problem is driving them to do.
It is important we learn to make people feel comfortable so people feel they can talk to us but not to say it is going to encourage and empower everyone.
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