| CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY AND BEHAVIOURS THAT CHALLENGE |
EMERGING VOICES - ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The Callan Institute for Positive Behaviour Support as part of the
St. John of God Hospitaller Services celebrated 10 years as a
consultation and training service involved in the promotion of
Positive Behaviour Support for individuals with intellectual
disability and behaviours that challenge.
Since it’s establishment in 1994, the Callan Institute has
provided many training courses and workshops, and supported
individuals along with their families and staff teams to
understand and support behaviour that challenges in a positive
way.
EVENT POSTSCRIPT
The celebratory event entitled ‘Emerging Voices’ was hosted in
Dublin Castle on October 7th 2005. The participants included many
individuals who have received Positive Behaviour Support services,
their families and staff members from St John of God Hospitaller
Services, and other organisations around Ireland.
Bro Finnian Gallagher OH, opened the event, on behalf of Bro.
Fintan Brennan Whitmore, Provincial of St John of God Hospitaller
Services. Dr Pat Walsh, Director of the Callan Institute then
presented the historical context of the development of the
Institute, from it’s early inception by a team within St John of
God Hospitaller Services, to the development of a relationship
with Dr Gary LaVigna and Dr Tom Willis of the Institute of Applied
Behaviour Analysis(IABA), LA, USA., on which the Callan
Institute’s work is based.
Dr Gary LaVigna revisited the themes of Positive Behaviour
Support, reminding us that as behaviour is a language employed by
people to tell their story, we, the people who support them need
to ‘listen’. Dr Brian McClean, Brothers of Charity, Roscommon
highlighted the importance of supporting individuals to remain
connected to their families, and the need for friendships,
partners and intimacy. Ms Deborah Harding, Trasna Training
Services, Brother of Charity, Cork, spoke about early services
support and training families in Positive Behaviour Support. And
finally Professor David Allen, discussed the years ahead,
highlighting the need for evidence based practice.
‘Quick Bright Things’, Theatre Group, based in St John of God
Carmona Services, under the Directorship of Mr Declan Drohan,
performed a piece on Positive Behaviour Support, based on The
Tempest by William Shakespeare. This powerful performance
symbolised how individuals with intellectual disability may be
‘controlled’ by the ‘good intentions’ of others, when in fact,
individuals wish to exercise choice in how they live their lives.
This one-act play, ended with the main actor Mr David Power who
portrayed, Caliban, shouting ‘THIS IS MY ISLAND, THIS IS MY
ISLAND’. The applause was terrific, with many encores!
Throughout the afternoon, many individuals who have received
Positive Behaviour Support over the last number of years,
presented their stories.
These stories in their simplicity and ordinariness depicted the
freedom gained from a language understood. These people shared
with us a glimpse of what it is like to be in their shoes and how
they now ‘have a life’. The symbolic gesture of Ms Joyce Ann
Corcoran in lighting a candle to lead us forward was a powerful
and moving moment, representing hope, expectation and the road
ahead.
A formal presentation was made to Artist, Mr Kevin Fricker, who’s
painting ‘Storm’ needs to experienced to be appreciated. It pulls
you into its depths where you experience the turbulence and
excitement of a night at sea. Mr Fricker’s work is represented on
The Callan Institute’s 2005 literature and provided the
illustrative theme for the conference. He received a well-deserved
rapturous applause by the audience on the day, in recognition of
his work.
The Callan Institute wish to thank everyone who made the afternoon
such a success and who has contributed to the work of Positive
Behaviour Support and the ‘Emerging Voices’ of people with
intellectual disabilities and behaviours that challenge.
The Callan Institute for Positive Behaviour Support.
Springing from the Christian values and holistic approach
advocated and practised by its founder, the Hospitaller Order of
St. John of God is dedicated to the provision of social,
education, welfare and health services. It has a mission to ensure
that persons availing of its services receive the highest quality
care, education, training, treatment or assistance in accordance
with their needs.
The Callan Institute for Positive Behaviour Support, as part of
the St John of God Hospitaller Services, promotes positive
practices in the area of intellectual disability and behaviours
that challenge. It was established in 1994 as a consultation and
training service to advocate and support the use of effective,
non-aversive methods for working with individuals who have an
intellectual disability and challenging behaviours.
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