Wendy Sullivan, President of Life Skills, offers tips for interacting with someone who has a developmental disability. 

1.      Follow the golden rule. Treat your neighbor the way you want to be treated, or in this case, treat your co-worker, patient, friend or acquaintance at the grocery store the way you want to be treated. Everyone deserves the same respect whether or not he/she has a disability.

2.      Remember that the person is an adult, and unless you are informed otherwise, can make decisions for him/herself.

3.      Don’t use baby talk or talk down to a person with developmental disabilities. Gauge the pace, complexity and vocabulary of your speech according to theirs.

4.      Pictures or diagrams can often help someone with developmental disabilities find his/her way around a facility.

5.      It can be difficult for someone with developmental disabilities to make quick decisions. Be patient and allow the person to take his/her time.