Monarch Presents Leading Behavior Expert David Pitonyak July 31

David Pitonyak, Ph.D. will present “Beyond Behaviors: Supporting Competence, Confidence and Well-Being,” from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tuesday, July 31, at Alliance Behavioral Healthcare in Durham. Monarch is joining several key partners to host Pitonyak’s workshop which will provide insight on how to deal with the difficult behaviors often experienced by people who have direct impact on caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

During the session, Pitonyak will examine seven quality of life indicators that he believes are often missing in the life of those experiencing direct care services. This one-day seminar is based on the idea that a person’s needs are best met by people whose needs are met. Pitonyak will explore such strategies as ways to support not only an individual who experiences disabilities, but also the needs of his or her caregivers.

“The core of my work, the foundation of my work, is that we are relational beings. Our brains are hardwired to belong,” Pitonyak explains. “The problem for people who experience disabilities is that they are lonely . . . From my point of view, the work is to help people find meaningful and enduring relationships. There is nothing else that we can do that would be more important.”

Pitonyak will also focus on positive approaches to difficult behaviors. His experience has shown that difficult behaviors are actually messages which can tell us important things about a person and his or her surroundings: “Understanding the meaning of an individual’s difficult behaviors is the first step in supporting the person and the person’s supporters to change.”

Pitonyak has provided consultation and training for individuals, families and professionals throughout the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, England and Ireland. His experiences include working with people in a variety of settings including home and professionally-staffed residential settings, schools; supported, competitive job sites, sheltered workshops and day activity programs.

Those interested in attending the educational event can click here to register. The cost for the event is $25 and includes lunch. The workshop will be held at Alliance Behavioral Healthcare, 4600 Emperor Blvd., Durham, N.C.

Registrants are asked to print materials and bring them to the session. Click here to download materials. For any additional information needed or questions, please contact Monarch’s Director of Organizational Development Kara Froberg, [email protected].