Learning to Listen : Positive Approaches and People with Difficult Behaviour

[the author] reflects on the history of the management of difficult behaviour and provides many fascinating examples of the extraordinary ways in which previous generations have tackled similar issues... historical analysis is interwoven with vivid accounts of people who have been referred to him for advice. But this book is more than a set of case studies. Lovett hopes that we will be stimulated to reassess how we relate to our clients and to reflect on our own experience and practice... this book is to be strongly recommended.'

- Community Care

'The analysis of how labelling, politics and control have dominated the provision of care is full of insight. The book is relevant to day-to-day interventions, while providing points for consideration when local services are being planned.'

- Nursing Times

`...offers alternatives to professionals dealing with people with intellectual disabilities. He [the author] shows that, by building an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, many of the more unpleasant answers to behavioural problems can be avoided.'

- In Touch Newsletter

'An encouraging book with an impact! It provokes thought on the way in which services and individuals are involved in the lives of people with a learning disability'

- The National Association of Occupational Therapists working for people with Learning Disabilities.

Learning to Listen offers alternatives to professionals dealing with people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of the book is to promote a more interactive approach to caring, taking the views of both the client and the carer into consideration, on a personal rather than a clinical level. Through the use of illustrative use of case studies Lovett suggests that many of the behaviour modification techniques in present use are overly controlling and ignore the client concerned. He shows that by building an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect many of the more unpleasant answers to behavioural problems can be avoided, with benefits to providers and users alike.

He urges carers to be more open and sympathetic to the past and present needs of the client, pointing out that a wider knowledge of the client can be of use in determining the cause of their behaviour, so as to come to a more informed conclusion about the best action to take. This straight-forward yet sensitive book leaves the carers providing a better service and the clients with their dignity in tact and with greater autonomy.

CONTENTS: Chapter 1, Learning to Listen. Chapter 2, The Politics of Behavior and Behaviorism: The politics of labeling behavior. Chapter 3, The Hierarchy of Control. (a) 'Positive' reinforcement. (b) Overcorrection. (c) `Ignore and redirect'. (d) `Time out'. (e) Physical restraint. (f) Chemical restraint vs Medication; Medical models vs Personal support. (g) Mechanical restraint. (h) Aversives: The use of pain to control behavior. (i) Behavioral surgery and mutilation. Chapter 4, People Who Hurt Themselves. (a) Agnes. (b) Abuse, trauma and self-injury. (c) Medical aspects of self-injury: Norma. Chapter 5, Choices and Challenges: The Practical Struggles of Positive Supports. Appendices.

Herbert Lovett, Ph.D., was a clinical psychologist, who worked for inclusive, person-centered educational, residential and vocational services for children and adults with disabilities throughout North America and Europe. He was a founder and past president of the Autism National Committee, a social justice organisation.