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Why is H.E.A.R.T. important to the person with developmental challenges?
Every person learning and working in the H.E.A.R.T. Program gets it. They understand that through this program they have a place they belong, a job to do, responsibilities to assume and accomplishments to be proud of. They are not just idling their days away. What they do matters.
A large part of their confidence comes from the mentoring process where higher-functioning participants take responsibility for and teach others. For most of us, being able to teach someone else something is no big deal, but for those with developmental disabilities it is a very big deal. To be trusted not only to learn and do your own job, but to help someone else learn theirs makes trainees stand tall, increases self-esteem and helps establish self-sufficiency for both participants. Everyone can take pride in their accomplishments.
Once again, the focus is not on their limitations, but on their potential. A visit to the H.E.A.R.T. Program is all it takes to see the success of this approach.
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