discussion question 4 relays

Top of Form

   The word disability has different meanings to different groups and individuals.  The government even breaks down disability into different definitions (Berens & Erford, 2018).  For simplicity, a disability is a limitation that can create challenges and barriers to one’s desired life goals. Older adults over the age of 65 (Berens & Erford, 2018) endure ageism, discrimination against and marginalization of this age group (Berens & Erford, 2018).  The discussion question asked how as counselors can we increase our awareness, knowledge and skills when working with these populations.  I felt that this question in itself marginalized these two demographics and was not culturally sensitive to the many intricacies each of these populations encounter and must overcome.

            There are skills that every counselor has, such as creating a therapeutic relationship, showing hospitality, active listening, collaborating with clients to create goals, and being able to refer clients to other resources as necessary (Berens & Erford, 2018). However, skills needed to work with clients with disabilities or advanced age require specialization and are unique to the individual client.

            In respect to awareness, counselors need to be aware of their own bias and how that may translate into providing care to the client.  Further, counselors need to be aware of current legislation that can provide assistance to either group.  There are numerous acts and laws that protect the rights of those with disabilities and the older population, and being an expert on all of it is a challenge. As well, it is the role of the counselor to be a social advocate for these population groups and to help redistribute the power and resources to make sure their needs are taken care of (Berens & Erford, 2018).

            Knowledge of disabilities and aging - here is where I felt the question really faltered.  As counselors, we all have the general ability to counsel, but counselors also have an area of expertise often led by a passion.  Caring for clients with disability requires a vast knowledge of physical versus mental, polytrauma, biomedical model versus social model, and life-long disability vs a new disability (Berens & Erford, 2018). This knowledge is gained over a lifetime of study, self-education, and client interaction. The same is true of caring for the aging; gerontology. A lot of research is taking place concerning aging as the population continues to live longer.

 I felt the question marginalized the expertise that counselors gain in a specific area and the unique role counselors play in assisting clients to obtain their goals, find resources to help them obtain their goals, and to be social advocates to change the system to help the marginalized population.  Counselors share some general skills, knowledge and awareness, however, counselors become experts in certain areas so that they can be social advocates in this post-modernist world.  

References

Berens, D. E. & Erford, B. T. (2018). Disability, ableism, and ageism.  In D. G. Hays, & B. T. Erford (Eds.), Developing multicultural counseling competence: A systems approach (3rded.) (pp. 224-254). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Bottom of Form