The Peculiarities of Transition Planning

The period of transition from school to the adult life can be considered as rather challenging for every student. Moreover, those students with learning disabilities can experience much more difficulties while transitioning in comparison with the other students. Suzie is an eighteen-year old high-school student who is currently in the tenth grade. She has a mild learning disability known as dyscalculia which means that she has some difficulties in acquiring mathematical skills.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Peculiarities of Transition Planning specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In spite of her disability Suzie should have a chance to get a good education, to be successfully employed, and develop her career according to her interests and skills. Thus, at this stage the main task of the administration and teachers is to prepare Suzie for the vocational school and support or even guarantee her further successful employment. Suzie is interested in a range of possible activities which can help her to find her place in society. Suzie is ready to spend a lot of time grooming dogs or working as a waitress. However, her real passion is cosmetology and barbering. The girl hopes that she could achieve high results in this field. The determination of the student’s long-term goals is the most important task of the educators according to which it is possible to work out the other aspects of the transition plan (Oswalt, n.d.). Thus, the educators should provide the specialized vocational evaluation to determine the professional areas which are the best variants for Suzie. Special educational staff can realize the investigation of the student’s interests, abilities, and goals in several steps. At first, it is necessary to conduct an informal interview with Suzie. Her teacher who has worked with her for a long time should ask her questions about her interests, preferences, and goals with c oncentrating on possible difficulties or successes in providing this or that activity (Stanberry, 2010). The teacher should also ask Suzie why she likes some activities and dislikes the other ones, what are the reasons for her preferences. Secondly, Susie should take the assessment of her learning style with referring to her learning disability and complete the interest inventory. These measures will help the teachers and counselors to identify Suzie’s strengths and weaknesses in learning. This issue is also very important because Suzie may be inclined to continue her education, and it is significant to understand what kind of learning style is quite appropriate for her.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Now Suzie wants to transfer to BOCES in order to become a cosmetologist. It is also possible for Suzie to take the specific assessment which can be conducted by the educators fro m BOCES. In particular, the teachers have to see how she performs the work-related tasks. A kind of the volunteer work or entry-level jobs in the field of cosmetology in association with BOCES can also be effective. In this way, the teachers will help Suzie determine whether she should choose cosmetology as her main area or, for instance, hairdressing and barbering. It is quite possible that the career counselors will suggest some other jobs that Suzie will be able to cope with efficiently. Thus, this assessment will make Suzie’s transitioning to vocational school much easier. When the girl will transfer to BOCES she will be able to choose the career path that completely fits her interests and abilities. The counselors and the guidance service should also help Suzie to get learn the necessary information about the peculiarities of the admission to the vocational school, particularly to BOCES. Suzie should be provided with the information about the admission tests, the require d credits, and about all the required costs (Ruegg, 2003). It is significant to present the material about the peculiarities of acquiring students’ scholarship and participating in such programs as, for instance, Student Financial Assistance. Moreover, during the transition period Suzie should have the opportunity to learn some skills that are necessary for her future profession. She must use the opportunity of the possible job training. Thus, the girl will be able to learn more about her future profession and understand how she should act in various situations or even overcome conflicts that may occur at the workplace. However, it is also significant that the character of Suzie’s learning disability cannot influence the quality of her work. Studying at the vocational school is only the first step in the realization of the life plan. The successful employment can become the next challenge for the girl as well as every student. Nevertheless, the effective transition pla n should cover all the possible areas of the student’s further professional life and personal development.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Peculiarities of Transition Planning specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More After completing the courses at BOCES, Suzie may choose from different options to continue her professional growth. It is important to state that employers are prohibited to discriminate people with any kind of disabilities. However, the preference can be given to those businesses and companies that have a good reputation in employing people with disabilities. In this way it will be easier for Suzie to adjust to the requirements which are set by employers. It is possible to suppose that the work in an enclave or a small group placed within an existing business will be one of the best variants for this girl. Moreover, the educators should pay attention to monitoring Suzie’s progress at the workplace. This monitoring is necessary to make sure that Suzie is not discriminated at her workplace. These are the issues that the educators have to concentrate on in the context of Suzie’s education at the vocational school and her future employment. The second area which is significant to be discussed in the plan for transitioning is the peculiarities of the student’s residence. Today Suzie lives with her mother who can contribute to her needs. However, it is quite possible that the girl will have to live alone, especially if she has to work in a place that is far away from home. Therefore, it is the task of the administrators and counselors to help Suzie find the appropriate apartment. It is significant to note that Suzie disability will not prevent her from living in a usual apartment. However, the girl has to be visited occasionally by social workers who can consult her in relation to any problem questions. The key role of the special educators is to make sure t hat Suzie is able to live alone in a supervised apartment. There is a range of aspects to which it is necessary to pay attention. The counselors can also consult Suzie when she has any difficulties or problems with such everyday activities as doing shopping. It is particularly important for Suzie because this activity requires the girl’s ability to calculate successfully, and it can be a real challenge for Suzie who suffers from dyscalculia. Suzie’s financial needs have to be of the priorities for the guidance service and counselors. She must be able to manage her money effectively. At the beginning Suzie will receive Supplemental Security Income and her earned wages. Thus, she will have to manage her money, and this task can be very challenging for a person with dyscalculia. It is necessary to involve parents, in this case, Suzie’s mother in the financial planning.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is also possible to have some savings that can potentially help her daughter in the long-term future. Nevertheless, it is also necessary to take some precaution, for instance, it can be useful for Suzie and necessary for her mother to set up the special needs trust. Such trusts are traditionally designed for children with different kinds of disabilities. This money will be managed by independent guardians who will ensure that Suzie cannot lose these funds. In particular, she may use this money for various needs such as insurance settlements or definite medical fees. However, she will not be able to spend all the money or give it to someone else. These are the main precautions that should be taken. However, it is also important to give Suzie all the necessary consultations which include the points connected of her everyday budget and planning the purchases. Such consultations should be provided by the specialists in the problem of dyscalculia in order to prevent the girl from any possible difficulties and inconveniences. Suzie’s recreational needs should not be disregarded. In her case, the teachers and counselors should emphasize the independent recreation and leisure. Therefore, the girl should be told about all the opportunities that she may have in order to have a good rest. For instance, one can mention travelling and all the kinds of tourism because Suzie enjoys these activities greatly. Moreover, she should be informed about the possible recreational programs that are intended for people with learning or mental disabilities such as dyscalculia. She may not necessarily use this program, but she should know about them at least because such programs provide the work with the specialists in this kind of disabilities and with psychologists. When developing transition plan for Suzie, teachers and social workers should not forget about her medical needs. The girl has no any other health problems except dyscalculia. There are also no any special needs which can be caused with the girl’s learning disability. Suzie can be inclined to apply for Medicaid, but she should also be informed about the other insurance coverage programs and their possible advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, Suzie will inevitably have to use the services of therapists, dentists, or gynecologists. Thus, the social workers should help find these healthcare professionals so that she could have the scheduled meetings with them. Completing the transitioning plan, it is also important to pay attention to the fact that Suzie has social and sexual needs as any person. She has a lot of acquaintances and friends, but sometimes she can experience difficulties in establishing the close relationships with people. This fact can be explained by Suzie’s lack of confidence partly caused by the effects of her learning disability. Thus, the girl is inclined to believe that in definite everyday situations other people can look at her with some prejudice be cause of her learning disability. That is why it is important to let the girl have access to the counseling services which can provide the psychologist’s help. It should be also noted that Suzie’s low self-esteem and lack of confidence in her abilities can affect not only her social relationships, but, in many cases, it will adversely influence the peculiarities of her performance at the workplace and her professional growth. Using transportation is essential for every person who wants to be an active member of society. Currently Suzie is transported by her mother. In the future the girl is inclined to use the public transport and have some consultations according to using money and possible calculations there. All the legal needs should be provided with the participation of Suzie’s mother who can be responsible for the legal needs during Suzie’s studying. With referring to the character of Suzie’s disability, it is important to pay attention to th e peculiarities of the money management as the most challenging task for the girl. All the necessary consultations should be provided by the counselors, social workers, and the specialists in dyscalculia. Finally, the teachers have to make sure that Suzie has developed basic skills that are necessary for every person. With focusing on the details of Suzie’s case, it is possible to say that the girl does not require help in home management including housekeeping skills and meal preparation skills. Transitioning plan for students with learning disabilities should include all the areas of the person’s everyday life because of the necessity of working out the most effective plan for the student’s further educational, professional, and personal development. References Oswalt, A. (n.d.). Transition planning and services. Web. Ruegg, E. (2003). Social competence, transition plans and children with learning disabilities. Web. Stanberry, K. (2010). Transition planning fo r students with IEPs. Web. This essay on The Peculiarities of Transition Planning was written and submitted by user Kylee Perkins to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Savage garden Affirmation essays

Savage garden Affirmation essays The song Affirmation is written and performed by Darren Hayes (lead and back up singer) and Daniel Jones (keyboard, synthesisers and drum and rhythm programming). They are better known to the world as the Australian pop group Savage Garden. Some of the poetic devices that are used throughout the song are rhyme and repetition. The film clip shows many different messages throughout it such as love, hate, peace and war. The words in the song Affirmation are strengthened by the visual effects of the film clip. Without the film clip the words to the song dont have the same effect they do with it. Although some of the lyrics are sometimes hard to understand or interpret, the visual effect makes their meaning easier. This type of video clip was very effective as it was able to expand the viewers understanding and perception of the song. The major theme throughout the whole song is truth, hope and life. All the themes are connected in some way to each of the visual and sound devices used in the song. The beginning of the clip shows a film reel and then the images appear but they seem to be in black and white. The clip then progresses into colour, which shows the advances in technology over the past century. As the song starts, the first image after the film reel is that of Martin Luther King, which coincides with the words I believe. The significance of showing Martin Luther King with these words was that he was a civil rights activist who fought for equal rights for African Americans and for their acceptance into society. He was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize and in his speech he spoke about his dreams of accomplishing what he had fought for. His inspirational speech changed many peoples perspective of life and in the song Affirmation, Savage Garden have recognised and portrayed this. In his speech Martin Luther King repeats the very famous words, I have a dream and ...

Black Rook in Rainy Weather Essay Example for Free

Black Rook in Rainy Weather Essay I an infrequently lost for words. I like to think of myself as quite an eloquent and articulate speaker and writer, but there are times when I feel neither. It is ironic that the very subject of this poem, a lack of words, or rather a lack of inspiration, is exactly what is holding me back from writing the things I would like to write. Although I know how this poem makes me feel and I know the emotions it conveys, I cannot bring myself to write about them or to speak about them, I simply cannot find the words. Each time I read the poem a rush of thoughts dash through my mind, so quickly that I cannot recollect them in time to consider them in the detail they deserve. This poem deserves consideration, thought, analysis, it deserves appreciation and admiration, because it describes exactly how even the most expressive and eloquent writers are sometimes at a loss for words. Although the poem is a metaphor and is about many things that lie deep beneath the surface of the words, it is beautifully written even in the most literal terms. Plath uses adjectives to describe every object, every movement of the poem, ‘stiff twig’, ‘spotted leaves’. She uses many other poetic devices, such as alliteration in the lines ‘rare, random’, ‘walk wary’, ‘so shine as to seize my senses’ and personification in the lines ‘mute sky’ , ‘minor light may still lean incandescent’. The poet also uses short phrases broken by commas to increase the tempo of the poem and to give it a rushed feeling. However, these poetic devices are not simply used to embellish a purely literal piece of writing. They are used to demonstrate the beauty of the mundane, the magnificence of the ordinary. The poet says ‘I do not expect a miracle or an accident’ which suggests that she is content with the mundane and can see it’s splendour. But as the poem progresses we see that she could not survive on the ordinary, but needed to express herself in her poetry and needed inspiration to do so. Though Plath tries to persuade herself she survive on the ordinary and the imple, it is obvious that desire for inspiration, ‘the angel’, are the only things that can make these mundane situations bearable. She contradicts herself when she states that ‘miracles occur. ’ She contradicts her previous idea that there is beauty in the ordinary and instead describes moments without inspiration being similar to ‘trekking stubborn through this season of fatigue’ . This suggests that during these periods of time she is not living, but barely surviving. Her entire life depends on the moments of inspiration, ‘for that rare, random descent. ’ She is a poet, and her survival depends on her writing. She can only express herself through her writing, and without it, without her inspiration, she feels nothing. This nothingness, this lack of inspiration is to her far worse than the feelings of depression she felt constantly throughout her life. Her ‘fear of total neutrality’ consumes her and scares her. This ‘fear of neutrality’ refers not only to writing, but also to life in general. If one feels nothing, if life is constantly similar to ‘trekking stubborn through this season of fatigue’ then there is no reason to live in the first place. Life is a constant wait for inspiration, for meaning, for purpose, and often this purpose does not appear. Plath realises, unlike many others, that without purpose, without inspiration, there is no beauty in the mundane. Without ‘that rare, random descent’ of an ‘angel’ there is little reason for life at all. Black Rook in Rainy Weather. (2017, Feb 05).

Computer Programming I Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Computer Programming I - Essay Example C# is employed in software development projects intended for a huge amount of Windows and Microsoft products like that Microsoft Access, SQL Server, Microsoft Office, ASP.NET, and Web based platforms development through ASP.NET, Document Sharing, and Microsoft SharePoint intended for collaboration as well as Intranet Development plus a broad amount of other products. The C# programming language as well helps and supports the development of applications for the PocketPC or mobile development as well as Desktop or Windows development. The need for C# programming skills is yet elevated even in the present economic climate. We can verify these facts from today’s top job advertisement website like that Monster, Dice or Career-Builder or some of the other top job websites. C-Sharp (C#) language based software developers having six months of computer programming expertise and experience are capable to obtain full-time jobs, contracting or consulting positions at any province, state o r city. C# programming language developer salaries vary from $60,000 to six figures. Although, six figure pay are more widespread for C-Sharp software development advisors as compared to full-time workers, they are yet available for truly good C# developers. One of the most excellent secrets of becoming a computer programmer is that we are able to learn computer programming at home as well as improve our abilities to a capable level without initially obtaining a programming job. As it is figured out that total cost of investments of taking expertise and effective knowledge of C-sharp computer programming training would be small enough in comparison to how much we pay for studying law or medicine in college. What we need is to stress for a computer programming profession regarding taking expertise in coding skills, software development knowledge as well as some programming experience that is connected to the job we are

Negative advertisement when it works Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Negative advertisement when it works - Essay Example Propaganda, in this sense, serves as a corollary to censorship in which the same purpose is achieved, not by filling people's minds with approved information, but by preventing people from being confronted with opposing points of view. What sets propaganda apart from other forms of advocacy is the willingness of the propagandist to change people's understanding through deception and confusion rather than persuasion and understanding. The leaders of an organization know the information to be one sided or untrue, but this may not be true for the regular members who help to disseminate the propaganda. Importantly propaganda is a powerful weapon in war; it is used to dehumanize and create hatred toward a supposed enemy, either internal or external, by creating a false image in the mind. This can be done by using derogatory or racist terms, avoiding some words or by making allegations of enemy atrocities. Most propaganda wars require the home population to feel the enemy has inflicted an injustice, which may be fictitious. The home population must also decide that the cause of their nation is just. Politicians take the advantage of such policy through political advertisement to grab power. EVIDENCES ON HOW PROPAGANDA WORKS AROUND THE GLOBE According to Naom Chomsky, the 20th century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy. Privatization being one of such corporate tactics, propaganda politics began to flourish amongst the democratic nations. In the early 2000s, the United States government developed and freely... This "Negative advertisement when it works" essay describes different cases of the negative ad and its effect. According to Naom Chomsky, the 20th century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy. Privatization being one of such corporate tactics, propaganda politics began to flourish amongst the democratic nations. In the early 2000s, the United States government developed and freely distributed a video game known as America's Army with an intention to encourage players to become interested in joining the U.S. Army. Research proved that 30% of young people who had a positive view of the military said that they had developed that view by playing the game. Politically Soviet propaganda meant dissemination of revolutionary ideas, teachings of Marxism, and theoretical and practical knowledge of Marxis t economics, while agitation meant forming favorable public opinion and stirring up political unrest. The Nazis believed in propaganda as a vital tool in achieving their goals. Adolph Hitler, Germany's Fuehrer, was impressed by the power of Allied propaganda during World War I and believed that it had been a primary cause of the collapse of morale and revolts in the German home front and Navy in 1918. Broadcasters and journalists required prior approval before their works were disseminated. The Nazis produced a number of films and books to spread their beliefs.

Diary of A Teenage Girl. Becoming Me :: essays research papers

Diary of A Teenage Girl. Becoming Me Title Page: On the cover of Diary of a Teenage Girl, Becoming Me there is a girl with long silky brown hair. I get the impression that she is sad or lost because she is twirling her hair in between her fingers. Her head could possibly be tilted down in a depressed motion. I think her hands are the only thing visible because the author is trying to set of the mood of th young girl, and I think this is shown by the twirling of the hair between the fingers. Publication Data: Carlson, Melody. Diary of a Teenage Girl, Becoming Me. (United States of America, Multonomach Publishers, 2000) Setting: The setting is the time and place of a narratives actions. The setting in this novel is New Jersey. Three specific details of this setting are: a.) Caitlin and her family live in a small, narrow duplex with 3 bedrooms and one bathroom; b.) their house is central New Jersey and located next to a large park; c.) the house is a light brown with cream coloured shutters and has two large doors in the front. Caitlin and her family live in the duplex with one other family although the duplex has three floors.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Living central allows Caitlin and her family easy access to school, church and work. She is able to attend track and field after school and hang out with her friends at the local diner. Caitlin learns more about herself by adventuring out into New Jersey and going to youth group as much as possible, learning more about God. Plot: Plot is a series of incidents which provide a solid framework for the development of a narratives conflict. Conflict is a struggle between two opposing forces. The main conflict in this novel is man vs himself. Caitlin struggles to find her true self and learn more about her religion. She makes many choices through out he novel that will impact her life forever.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The conflict begins when Caitlin starts being more adventurous and starts going to parties and hanging out with the wrong crowd that she thinks are the cool kids. She meets new people that aren’t her true friends and aren’t good people. These people try and get her to do thing’s that she really doesn’t want to do and she makes the right choice in saying â€Å"No.† She immediately goes into a room where she can’t be pressured and decides not to hang out with those people anymore.

Case Study Tod and Reggie Essay

After speaking with Mr. Todd and Mr. Reggie I have concluded that they would be great candidates for couples counseling. Taking away the fact that they are the same sex, I do not feel that it should affect the outcome of the services that will be provided for the couple listed above. I am very proud of Mr. Todd and Mr. Reggie for coming in to seek counseling as a couple. That within its self speaks volumes to the commitment of their relationship and love for one another. I advised both parties involved about the necessity for counseling. Letting them know that most couples come in to seek help when they feel that this is the last result before breaking up. It’s difficult to move forward in a relationship when anger and resentment have built up to such a degree that there are few conflict-free areas of discussion. Seeing a professional to help you talk to each other so you are not disagreeing on the smallest of things and arguing over the same situations with no resolutions, ca n be a very good idea. I assured them that we would do all in our power to make sure that we set some realistic goals at the ending of each session. We went on to talk and I gathered some information that I felt was interesting and important. I feel that I would like at some point to speak with each Mr. Todd and Mr. Reggie on an individual session. I will determine that as we move further into the sessions and gather if they would like to have a session where they are able to speak with me one on one. I have devised a plan that would help them with the extended family issues that they both are undergoing, also some information on anger and domestic violence, as well as some communication skill building exercises that they a can work on with each other as well as for their personal gain. Going over their family issues I felt held a lot more value in their lives and if could be addresses would help remove some of the stress and anxiety they both undergo on a day to day basis. We talked about the effect that they felt the roles of the absent extended families where causing in their relationship. I did ask questions such as â€Å"Are you families aware that you are an interracial couple?†, â€Å"Is that a reason that you have limited or no contact?†, â€Å"What was the reaction of your family when you told them that you were gay?†, â€Å"Where your families there for you while incarcerated?†, â€Å"How was your relationship with your family before telling you were gay?† , â€Å"Was you and your family closer before you went to prison?† They each answered honestly about the feelings they had incurred during the past few years of their lives. We talked about a support system outside of each other and their families. They both agre ed the lack of family support had a negative impact on their relationship, and have not been able to fully accept it. I informed that their families’ acceptance of their relation would take time, and should be viewed as a process. They would have to make some tough choices to whether or not to continue to try and have their family in their lives are work solely on their relationship. They will have to some type of understanding on their extended family situations. Not dealing with it can be unhealthy and they will need to ask which relationship is most important to them at this time. I did advise until their families where ready to come to terms with their relationship, they should look into starting a family of friends and others who understand their relationship. This could consist of friends who are straight and homosexual. I handed them some fliers to some local coming out groups that meet in there are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I felt it would be a great way to give them another outlet to network amongst individuals who have been through are going through what they are currently going through. I handed out pamphlets on domestic violence to each Mr. Todd and Mr. Reggie. I felt we needed to address the issues of anger and physical threats or actions toward one another. I did also advise them that they I would have to report any physical violence that I am made aware of. To help alive them of the stress they both made out contracts of good faith agreements that they would walk away and respect the others space if a conversation was turning violent and they felt it may result in a physical altercation. We all shook on it and dug deeper into why they felt they needed to result to physical or verbal violence. They were informed of the domestic violence statics in relationships that end in death. Both men agreed that that is not what they wanted for one another. They were encouraged to do some research on domestic violence which they both where highly surprised by what they had found. We also started anger management skills for the both of them. I had them make a rule poster to place in their homes to remind them of the session. We went over 10 steps that would help them both with managing their anger. I did inform them that it would not come over night and they would have to make conscious decisions to apply these skills once they leave the session. Taking time to cool off before addressing why you are angry would be the first stop. Then calmly once you have gathered all your thoughts letting the person or your partner know why you were angry. I noticed how in shape Reggie was and advised maybe exercising or doing something that brings joy and peace to them. Think before you speak was a very good one. That way they did not say things they truly did not mean. Once you say something you cannot take it back so you must watch what you say. Next try and come up with a solution to help you not from becoming so angered by an action or comment. That could be just walking away or making a joke to ease the tension. Use the â€Å"I† statement and not the â€Å"You† statements. Once you have talked about it, let it go. Do not keep it bottled up inside you and have resentment for the person. Again make a joke or say something off the wall when you feel that it may be heading towards you becoming angered. That could be let’s just get some ice cream and talk about this later, to you see that squirrel fly by on the balloon? Just something that will lighten the mood and redirect you both to important situation at hand. Maybe making a relaxation area or technique that you can do, that helps calm you down. That could be reading a book, going to see a movie, shopping, cleaning, or writing. Lastly when all else fails and you don’t know what to do. Seek help before something bad happens. After a few sessions I was to hear that they had implemented these practices and things had started looking better for them. Those anger management exercises lead into working on their communication with each other. Reggie may have been more physically dominating, but Todd was more verbally dominating. I noticed that Todd would over talk Reggie in sessions, and I didn’t think he meant to do it on purpose. Todd was unaware of it and did not fully understand that it would cause Reggie to feel in adequate therefore Reggie would lash out with violence because he felt his voice and opinions where not heard or valued. Todd was amazed that something so small could be so powerful. We began working on listening to each other. Really hearing what the other was saying and validating each other’s opinions and values. The way that had been raised played a large part in the way they communicated with each other. Being open and honest with each other would help them go along way as well with communicating. It would bring them closer with each other. Also paying attention to the nonverbal cues that they give off when feeling frustrated. Staying focused on what they are talking about at the time. Not talking about something that happened in the past or what could happen. Just stay focused on the subject at hand and make sure to settle that issue. Try to not get so emotional when talking about subjects that are important. Look at the whole picture and not just how you feel about the subject. Know when to just throw your hands up and walk away from the discussion if you feel that it is not going the way you want it to go. You do not always have to be right, and it gives your partner the comfort that you are willing to compromise in tough situations. Again make jokes or just go in for a big kiss. That always helps and lets your partner know they are more important to you. Again that brings down the tension in the conversation and gives you both a chance to rethink things over. Never know that kiss may just make them forget what was being said and you can go for some ice cream. Lastly remember communicating is more than talking, it is also actions. Maybe leaving notes or gifts, or just signs that you are thinking of each other always helps. It could be as small as taking out the trash with our being asked to as large as a vacation to a beach resort. No matter how big or small the gesture your partner will appreciate it. After these sessions with Mr. Todd and Mr. Reggie I have seen growth. I am happy to report that Reggie’s back home with Todd. They both have found jobs and are currently making their apartment cozier and entertainment friendly. They continue to go out and meet people in there are who accept them for them. They have a network of support and are also helping out with recently released inmates who are also gay and going through some of the same obstacles that faced. Todd’s mother has actually came and visited him and Reggie. Todd stated that it will take her some time to get used to but she is giving some more support. Unfortunately Reggie’s sisters had not come around but we were able to help Reggie get some closure of his mom’s death. He continues to seek therapy for the loss and he is doing a wonderful progress. He did admit dealing with his family issue and the death of his mom have helped his anger issues and he is able to calm himself down very easily now. Todd and Reggie are listening to each other and communicating with each other very well. They still have a ways to go, but in the short time they have started practicing the techniques they have made excellent strides towards approving. Todd listens more to Reggie rather than over talking him. It doesn’t matter who you are the same fundamentals of love are all the same. We start from our personal backgrounds and to the way we communicate with each other. Todd and Reggie are all of us in some sort of way. Being gay or straight we all have the same problems. With the correct education and help and support we can all over come any obstacle that is placed before us. References Grohol, J. (2009). 9 Steps to Better Communication Today. Psych Central. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/04/14/9-steps-to-better-communication-today/ Mayo Clinic.com (1998-2013). Anger Management: 10 tips to tame your Temper Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anger-management/MH00102