Case Study 1 Katie has recently started work with a disability agency, which pro

Question

Case Study 1

Katie has recently started work with a disability agency, which provides a day program for people with disabilities. Disabilities range from neurological, psychiatric and physical. Most of the clients are teenagers, or are in their early twenties. It is Katie’s first job in disability work, as she has just completed her Certificate III.

One of the objectives of the agency is to support clients to develop skills to enhance their daily living activities, and support them to access employment opportunities. The agency has links with a number of employers that have a policy to employ people with disabilities.

During Katie’s first day of training, her supervisor asks her to reflect on her own ability to work inclusively and improve her self-awareness and social awareness. Katie’s supervisor says this is a critical component of her training, as having strong self-awareness benefits her ability to work with diverse clients.

On the same day, one of the clients Katie is introduced to has a toileting accident in the café. She is asked to support the client to be cleaned in the bathroom, and change his clothes. She is given clear instructions about hygiene and infection control.

Another client she talks to has Tourette syndrome, which causes him to yell out intermittently.
1) Use the reflective cycle to reflect on Katie’s self-awareness on her first day in the program.

2) Describe the actions Katie could take to improve her social awareness

Explanation / Answer

1.

Using the reflective cycle to reflect on Katie’s self-awareness on her first day in the program will include a description of the two incidences; one of the clients Katie is introduced had a toileting accident in the café and another client she talks to has Tourette syndrome, which causes him to yell out intermittently; on the first day i.e. what happened; when it happened and where it happened. Who else was present and what they did? What was the result of these situations? Discussing the feeling related to these two situations is the next step and how others feel about these situations. The next step is the evaluation step involving the evaluation of the positive and negative impact of the situations. Drawing conclusions should follow to improve the situation in future and avoid the risks. Lastly, some possible actions that the team members and Katie can take to deal with similar situations more effectively in the future.

The actions Katie could take to improve her social awareness include; listening to the client with genuine interest, having a positive body language as it will benefit her interactions with other people. Asking for honest feedback from the clients. Taking ownership of her behavior and willingness to apologize for lapses or errors in judgment or insensitive actions. Becoming aware of behaviors in the client that may cause her to respond negatively.   

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