We had a consultant, Tom Pomerantz, come to inspire us with some fresh ideas in working with people with intellectual disabilities. You can visit his website for some of his ideas. http://www.universallifestiles.com/Universal_Enhancement.html.
Pomerantz's main objective is to increase the quality of life for people with disabilities. He made a particularly salient point : The reason we don't do things is the exact reason why we should. He cited that the majority of people with cognitive disabilities have never cracked an egg, never unlocked their own door (or any door), never pumped gas. And he said the excuses given are that they don't have the skill or dexterity to be able to accomplish these tasks. And that's the reason why they should do them - so that they can build the dexterity and skills.
When Pomerantz visited a group home, he asked a staffer why the person in the wheelchair couldn't do their own laundry as the individual watched the staffer bring the laundry basket to the bedroom and commence to fold their clothes for them. The answer given was that the person had contractures and could not physically do it. They likely had a physical or occupational goal, though, and that goal of reaching and stretching could be achieved by carrying and folding laundry. The reason they didn't let the individual fold their own clothes is the exact reason they should let them fold their own clothes. I had never thought of it that way.
It takes longer to have the individuals do the work when there is so much to do and you are on a time schedule. And it takes great patience to resist taking over so that it can be done faster. It is their life, though, and they should have the opportunity to be involved in every moment of it.
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