Case Study
Thomas, who has a learning disability and is not able to use
words to communicate, sometimes shouts and pounds on the tray attached to his
wheelchair. One day, his support worker Valerii notices that while he is
shouting, he is also staring at something on the floor – a dropped tissue. When
he picks up the tissue and puts it in the bin Thomas stops shouting. It appears
that Thomas does not like things to be out of place and prefers things to be
tidy and neat. Now when Thomas shouts Valerii asks him if something is out of
place and Valerii looks at where he is staring. When Valerii has worked out
what is out of place and puts it away, the shouting stops.
1. How might person-centred thinking help Thomas
(and Valerii) further?
It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the response you have chosen to this scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague and ask them to tell you if they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your tutor.