What are some common misconceptions about persons with developmental disabilities?
A. We come to understand people by our experiences with them. Without experience, stereotypes tend to lead us. But anyone who has spent time with persons with developmental disabilities comes to realize that the commonalities between people are greater than the differences. They have needs, hopes, and fears just like the rest of us. Ironically, I am finding that as healthy people age, we actually become more like those with developmental disabilities. Older people may face cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimers disease, or sensory impairment that affects communication and emotional responses; there may be cardiac problems and other health issues that are similar to those experienced by persons with developmental disabilities. People with disabilities have typically been somewhat devalued in our society, and unfortunately that may often be the case with our senior population as well. What stereotypes exist in connection with the areas of dealing with loss and grief? A. A common stereo
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