Does anyone have any experience working with disabled adults

I just got a pretty decent new job where I will be working with mentally disabled adults, and I am having a hard time getting one of them to .. open up to me I guess?

Any suggestions?

It hasn't been long, so I know I need to give it time, but I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips on like conversations to bring up and etc.

I want to care for these people to the best of my ability

try to find out what their interests are like maybe play a card or board game with them, and maybe open up about yourself first, just small chat to get them comfortable

Find out from the other workers what he/she likes to do. What they like to talk about. Your co-works and there family should be a big help.

Quoting ×ø×K·ßear×ø×:" try to find out what their interests are like maybe play a card or board game with them, and maybe open up about yourself first, just small chat to get them comfortable "

Hm, he likes clothes! He has so many clothes and likes to dress nice. I could probably get some magazines or catalouges (sp?) with mens clothes and show them to him or something  

Quoting P♥thogems:" Hm, he likes clothes! He has so many clothes and likes to dress nice. I could probably get some magazines or catalouges (sp?) with mens clothes and show them to him or something  "

that sounds good. and ask him to help you pick out something for someone, or ask him what he likes out of there,if he would wear it.like i said small talk always does good

Quoting Alayah's mommy ♥:" Find out from the other workers what he/she likes to do. What they like to talk about. Your co-works and there family should be a big help."

I'm gonna do that, the others have been with him for 4 and 8 years so they have to know him pretty well.

I always learned about my residents from my coworkers who had been around them longer, then you can use that to figure out your best approach. However, you cannot force him to open up to you though. It may never happen. Each individual is different and likes different people. All the residents had different favorite people and different people they didn't like.

<blockquote><b>Quoting P♥thogems:</b>" I'm gonna do that, the others have been with him for 4 and 8 years so they have to know him pretty well."</blockquote>




That's what I always do when I start taking care of someone new and they normally warm up to me pretty fast.