Functional Living Skills is all about promoting a pathway to independence for people with developmental disabilities. Although there are many ways to do this, in today’s post, we’d like to focus on how important positivity can be throughout the process. Just as negativity is contagious, so is being positive. As you probably know, the need for a pathway towards independence is vital, and the good news is that we are here to help you navigate successful teaching for the learner in your life.
It’s amazing what the power of positivity can do in everyday life, and that’s exactly what we’d like to explore in today’s post. If you can find ways to be positive, the benefits will be numerous. The journey can feel challenging at times, and that’s to be expected, but focusing on being positive will make a massive difference, and we’d like to show you how. Keep reading to learn more.
The Science Behind Being Positive
You have probably found that you and your learner have a tendency to adapt with one another. For example, if he or she is having a bad day, it starts to have an effect on you as well. This is a two way street, and as we mentioned above, the more positive you can be, the more it will affect the learner in your life as well. Emotions can be contagious, and that’s why whether you’re focusing on daily living skills such as doing the dishes or you’re out and about exploring the community, the more positivity and confidence you can exude, the more smoothly everything will go.
In fact, the Mayo Clinic notes that “Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include increased life span, lower rates of depression, lower levels of distress, greater resistance to the common cold, better psychological and physical well-being, better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease, [and] better coping skills during hardships and times of stress.” In other words, there is power in positivity.
Other studies from Harvard, Johns Hopkins University, Psychology Today, and others confirm the same thing. Although many of these studies are ongoing, there is definitive evidence of the fact that being positive can make a huge difference.
What You Can Do
Many of these studies also note that being positive isn’t something that necessarily comes naturally to people. The good news is that there are steps you can take to be more intentional about being positive. Some suggestions from the Mayo Clinic include finding areas where you can change your thinking, constantly evaluating yourself, being open to humor, following a healthy lifestyle, being around people who are good examples of positivity, and putting positivity into practice.
Whether that means finding more opportunities to enjoy a lighthearted joke, making sure to get plenty of exercise, or making it a point to say something positive throughout the day, being a good example of positivity for your learner can make a big difference. If you can lead with positivity, it will make a world of difference.
Learn More About the AFLS Protocols
The Assessment of Functional Living Skills offers you a chance to put positivity into practice in the form of protocols including Basic Living Skills, Home Skills, Community Participation Skills, School Skills, Vocational Skills, and Independent Living Skills. The goal is to generate successful programs for your learners that put them on the pathway to independence, and our programs have been shown to work time and time again.
From children to adolescents to adults with disabilities, the AFLS can be utilized any time, anywhere. It’s easy to understand and simple to use, and you can customize it to suit the unique needs of your learner. Learn more here and don’t hesitate to contact us today with questions.
