You are invited to spend the day learning with Dr. David Pitonyak.  Dr. Pitonyak is known around the world for his work with people who experience disabilities and with the people who support them.  

The conference is based on the premise that being connected to the people we love is critical to our emotional and physical well-being, and the observation that people with disabilities are often isolated from loving relationships and instead interact with a series of persons who are paid to do so. Loneliness is one result. When people are lonely their actions are often experienced by others as “challenging behaviors.”

Dr. Pitonyak will share ideas on how to support people to develop enduring, freely-given relationships.  Participants will learn about topics that include: the importance of belonging; seeing difficult behaviors as intentional communication; and understanding behaviors that result from unmet needs. There will also be a discussion on opportunities for people with disabilities to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives in their homes and communities. 

More information about David Pitonyak can be found at his website: www.dimagine.com.

For more information about this workship, contact Timothy Pratt, Outreach Director at the Georgia Advocacy Office at 404-885-1234 or tpratt@thegao.org.