The starting point for many research articles on the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) inc... more The starting point for many research articles on the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) includes the following phrase: "ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder…" The author agrees that ASD is neurodevelopmental, and calls into question the word "disorder", proposing that rather than being a disorder, autism and other neurodivergent traits are best understood as a way of utilizing the computational strengths of the human brain to adapt to the environments in which human beings live, learn, work and play. Building on research from the field of computational neuroscience, the author provides an alternative understanding of what it means to be autistic and how to best support people on the autism spectrum to successfully adapt to the world in which we all live.
The use of coercion to alter behavior in persons with intellectual and other developmental disabi... more The use of coercion to alter behavior in persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities has a long history. Despite the work of leaders in the development of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), the use of chemical, mechanical, physical or personal, and environmental restraints continues, resulting in traumatization, physical and emotional harm, and in some instances, death. When coercion is used, the trust between people breaks down, and the lack of trust is reinforced by the power differentials present when coercion occurs. Social justice provides an avenue for rebalancing power and regaining trust, but people affected by disabilities have historically been excluded from theories of social justice and, in some cases, do not fall within the definition of what it means to be a person in the paradigms put forth by a number of different authors. The term non-coercive has been used in an attempt to reframe behavior change theories and practices, but this term describes the absence of negative circumstances and interventions, rather than the presence of positive and affirming interactions which improve the quality of life of all stakeholders.
World Health Organization (WHO) classification of violence includes sexual, physical, psychologic... more World Health Organization (WHO) classification of violence includes sexual, physical, psychological and deprivation as the four modes of infliction of violence. WHO defines violence as "The intentional use of physical force or power threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation. Galtung's central premise as a peace researcher is that violence is due to an avoidable impairment of the fundamental human need groups of survival, wellbeing, identity/purpose, and freedom. Some of the categories and examples are generally accepted by law or society as "violence" while others are less uniformly accepted as forms of "violence" by the general public. To be able to connect to more professional audiences the relationships between these forms, we devised a continuum illustrated by an iceberg whose water line divides Mega Violence from Micro Violence
This paper builds on the work of Abraham Masolow who said that his article was meant to be a star... more This paper builds on the work of Abraham Masolow who said that his article was meant to be a starting point for future research into the concept of becoming human. The paper integrates concepts from neuropsychology, neurobiology, and trauma informed services to present a holistic framework within which we can discuss the processes involved in becoming interdependent human beings. Rather than seeing safety as a set of needs within the ddevelopmental framework, the paper presents the concept that safety is the framework, the matrix, within which developmental processes occur.
There has been increasing recent linkage in the literature and press of burnout in healthcare wor... more There has been increasing recent linkage in the literature and press of burnout in healthcare workers (HCW) and ultimate effect on patient care. Burnout of physicians, nurse and other workers is a factor that patients, staff and hospital administrators have to deal with on a daily basis. WPV incidents are less frequent than daily, but have high impact when they occur. WPV prevention has gathered more interest but has a tendency to fall off administrators focus because of the lower frequency factor
Despair is defined in the dictionary as the complete loss or absence of hope. Many if not most in... more Despair is defined in the dictionary as the complete loss or absence of hope. Many if not most individuals feel a deep sense of despair, made more intense by the loneliness that is part of their lives. The power differentials between those who receive services and those who provide services often intensify this sense of despair and loneliness. It is in that relationship between the powerful and the powerless that loneliness and despair start to build, because there is no bridge between the people who serve and those being served. Those of us who provide services and supports to people in need have been taught to be objective and factual, but facts are only part of the story, the roadway so to speak. The foundations of the bridges between people are found in the emotional connections, the places where the stories of their lives take shape. In order to gain the whole story we must listen to the feelings, where the thematic images behind the words present the story of this person’s life.
In his original article on human motivation, Abraham Maslow said "The present theory then must be... more In his original article on human motivation, Abraham Maslow said "The present theory then must be considered to be a suggested program or framework for future research and must stand or fall, not so much on facts available or evidence presented, as upon researches yet to be done, researches suggested perhaps, by the questions raised in this paper" ([1], p370). This article endeavours to build on Maslow's work, incorporating research in the neurobiological impact of childhood trauma which shows that safety is the most fundamental need for all human beings. Indigenous approaches to understanding human needs beyond the ending points of any one individual life and valuing cultural perpetuity are also integrated into this model. The methodology to synthesize this paper is the result of a transdisciplinary approach which values collaboration between disciplines that focus on the biological, social, and psychological factors that interact with each other in the dynamic dance of life. Communication is added as a core need of human beings, with Interdependent Actualization being seen as the capstone of human development. Incorporating the biological framework of the extra-cellular matrix with a visual model that shows the relationships between the parts of a whole, the Matrix of Needs restores the dynamic and interrelated nature of human needs in the same hope Maslow had, that this paper will generate ideas, launch discussions and build a framework for future researchers to better understand what it means to be human, and how to remove the barriers which impede our growth as individuals and as members of the human family.
Managing risk in human service settings has become a major part of how we do the work of supporti... more Managing risk in human service settings has become a major part of how we do the work of supporting people affected by all forms of disabilities. Quality assurance in most organisations means risk minimization, and has led to services that avoid risk and also minimise growth in individuals served. Creating safety provides an alternative approach to risk management that can manage liability whilst promoting self-determination and choice at the same time. In this approach, the focus is on moving towards safety which will move away from risk whilst increasing self-determination and choice for individuals served. A methodology to structure safety at an organisational level will be presented by the authors.
Decision makers have little time to study literature on the prevention and management of workplac... more Decision makers have little time to study literature on the prevention and management of workplace violence (WPV). In a health care workplace setting, identifying the person, stimulus, and environmental interactions that can lead to violence is a complicated process. Those in positions of leadership make decisions that affect many individuals, agencies, and communities. Often, they come from different professional backgrounds yet need ways of rapidly understanding concepts of violence that transcend their profession, training, or experience. Translational models (TMs) in WPV visually summarize and interprofessionally facilitate this understanding of concepts, enhancing the chances of more effective collaborative solutions to WPV. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how TM can be used in interprofessional settings to find effective solutions to reduce WPV.
Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, 2011
PurposeThe purpose for writing this paper is to help develop and apply integrated models and meth... more PurposeThe purpose for writing this paper is to help develop and apply integrated models and methods of best practice that can prevent and manage workplace incivility (WPI) and workplace violence (WPV).Design/methodology/approachThis approach uses the framework of the public health model to integrate neurobiological, behavioural, organisational, mental health, and educational theory into a holistic framework for the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of WPV. The key concepts built into this model are those of organisational violence (OV), trauma‐informed services, and positive behaviour support (PBS). This approach is further illustrated by case studies from organisations that have successfully implemented safety protocols that demonstrate the effectiveness of such an integrated approach. This method is derived primarily from qualitative data based on the expertise and experience of the authors in the areas of psychiatry, social work research, and instructional implementati...
As a behavioural consultant, one of the most common phrases used in referral information is that ... more As a behavioural consultant, one of the most common phrases used in referral information is that the individual is engaging in a series of behaviors "just to get attention". Attention has been postulated as a motivation for behavior by the most widely used behavioral assessments such as the Motivation Assessment Scale, the Functional Assessment Screening Tool and others. This article will present the concept that people do not want attention, rather they want the things attention brings, such as safety, affection, acceptance and other needs. In a sense, attention is the means to an end, and not the end itself. A conceptualization for identifying the reinforcers sought by people using behavior to get the attention of others is presented within the context of a single case study.
The starting point for many research articles on the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) inc... more The starting point for many research articles on the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) includes the following phrase: "ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder…" The author agrees that ASD is neurodevelopmental, and calls into question the word "disorder", proposing that rather than being a disorder, autism and other neurodivergent traits are best understood as a way of utilizing the computational strengths of the human brain to adapt to the environments in which human beings live, learn, work and play. Building on research from the field of computational neuroscience, the author provides an alternative understanding of what it means to be autistic and how to best support people on the autism spectrum to successfully adapt to the world in which we all live.
The use of coercion to alter behavior in persons with intellectual and other developmental disabi... more The use of coercion to alter behavior in persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities has a long history. Despite the work of leaders in the development of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), the use of chemical, mechanical, physical or personal, and environmental restraints continues, resulting in traumatization, physical and emotional harm, and in some instances, death. When coercion is used, the trust between people breaks down, and the lack of trust is reinforced by the power differentials present when coercion occurs. Social justice provides an avenue for rebalancing power and regaining trust, but people affected by disabilities have historically been excluded from theories of social justice and, in some cases, do not fall within the definition of what it means to be a person in the paradigms put forth by a number of different authors. The term non-coercive has been used in an attempt to reframe behavior change theories and practices, but this term describes the absence of negative circumstances and interventions, rather than the presence of positive and affirming interactions which improve the quality of life of all stakeholders.
World Health Organization (WHO) classification of violence includes sexual, physical, psychologic... more World Health Organization (WHO) classification of violence includes sexual, physical, psychological and deprivation as the four modes of infliction of violence. WHO defines violence as "The intentional use of physical force or power threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation. Galtung's central premise as a peace researcher is that violence is due to an avoidable impairment of the fundamental human need groups of survival, wellbeing, identity/purpose, and freedom. Some of the categories and examples are generally accepted by law or society as "violence" while others are less uniformly accepted as forms of "violence" by the general public. To be able to connect to more professional audiences the relationships between these forms, we devised a continuum illustrated by an iceberg whose water line divides Mega Violence from Micro Violence
This paper builds on the work of Abraham Masolow who said that his article was meant to be a star... more This paper builds on the work of Abraham Masolow who said that his article was meant to be a starting point for future research into the concept of becoming human. The paper integrates concepts from neuropsychology, neurobiology, and trauma informed services to present a holistic framework within which we can discuss the processes involved in becoming interdependent human beings. Rather than seeing safety as a set of needs within the ddevelopmental framework, the paper presents the concept that safety is the framework, the matrix, within which developmental processes occur.
There has been increasing recent linkage in the literature and press of burnout in healthcare wor... more There has been increasing recent linkage in the literature and press of burnout in healthcare workers (HCW) and ultimate effect on patient care. Burnout of physicians, nurse and other workers is a factor that patients, staff and hospital administrators have to deal with on a daily basis. WPV incidents are less frequent than daily, but have high impact when they occur. WPV prevention has gathered more interest but has a tendency to fall off administrators focus because of the lower frequency factor
Despair is defined in the dictionary as the complete loss or absence of hope. Many if not most in... more Despair is defined in the dictionary as the complete loss or absence of hope. Many if not most individuals feel a deep sense of despair, made more intense by the loneliness that is part of their lives. The power differentials between those who receive services and those who provide services often intensify this sense of despair and loneliness. It is in that relationship between the powerful and the powerless that loneliness and despair start to build, because there is no bridge between the people who serve and those being served. Those of us who provide services and supports to people in need have been taught to be objective and factual, but facts are only part of the story, the roadway so to speak. The foundations of the bridges between people are found in the emotional connections, the places where the stories of their lives take shape. In order to gain the whole story we must listen to the feelings, where the thematic images behind the words present the story of this person’s life.
In his original article on human motivation, Abraham Maslow said "The present theory then must be... more In his original article on human motivation, Abraham Maslow said "The present theory then must be considered to be a suggested program or framework for future research and must stand or fall, not so much on facts available or evidence presented, as upon researches yet to be done, researches suggested perhaps, by the questions raised in this paper" ([1], p370). This article endeavours to build on Maslow's work, incorporating research in the neurobiological impact of childhood trauma which shows that safety is the most fundamental need for all human beings. Indigenous approaches to understanding human needs beyond the ending points of any one individual life and valuing cultural perpetuity are also integrated into this model. The methodology to synthesize this paper is the result of a transdisciplinary approach which values collaboration between disciplines that focus on the biological, social, and psychological factors that interact with each other in the dynamic dance of life. Communication is added as a core need of human beings, with Interdependent Actualization being seen as the capstone of human development. Incorporating the biological framework of the extra-cellular matrix with a visual model that shows the relationships between the parts of a whole, the Matrix of Needs restores the dynamic and interrelated nature of human needs in the same hope Maslow had, that this paper will generate ideas, launch discussions and build a framework for future researchers to better understand what it means to be human, and how to remove the barriers which impede our growth as individuals and as members of the human family.
Managing risk in human service settings has become a major part of how we do the work of supporti... more Managing risk in human service settings has become a major part of how we do the work of supporting people affected by all forms of disabilities. Quality assurance in most organisations means risk minimization, and has led to services that avoid risk and also minimise growth in individuals served. Creating safety provides an alternative approach to risk management that can manage liability whilst promoting self-determination and choice at the same time. In this approach, the focus is on moving towards safety which will move away from risk whilst increasing self-determination and choice for individuals served. A methodology to structure safety at an organisational level will be presented by the authors.
Decision makers have little time to study literature on the prevention and management of workplac... more Decision makers have little time to study literature on the prevention and management of workplace violence (WPV). In a health care workplace setting, identifying the person, stimulus, and environmental interactions that can lead to violence is a complicated process. Those in positions of leadership make decisions that affect many individuals, agencies, and communities. Often, they come from different professional backgrounds yet need ways of rapidly understanding concepts of violence that transcend their profession, training, or experience. Translational models (TMs) in WPV visually summarize and interprofessionally facilitate this understanding of concepts, enhancing the chances of more effective collaborative solutions to WPV. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how TM can be used in interprofessional settings to find effective solutions to reduce WPV.
Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, 2011
PurposeThe purpose for writing this paper is to help develop and apply integrated models and meth... more PurposeThe purpose for writing this paper is to help develop and apply integrated models and methods of best practice that can prevent and manage workplace incivility (WPI) and workplace violence (WPV).Design/methodology/approachThis approach uses the framework of the public health model to integrate neurobiological, behavioural, organisational, mental health, and educational theory into a holistic framework for the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of WPV. The key concepts built into this model are those of organisational violence (OV), trauma‐informed services, and positive behaviour support (PBS). This approach is further illustrated by case studies from organisations that have successfully implemented safety protocols that demonstrate the effectiveness of such an integrated approach. This method is derived primarily from qualitative data based on the expertise and experience of the authors in the areas of psychiatry, social work research, and instructional implementati...
As a behavioural consultant, one of the most common phrases used in referral information is that ... more As a behavioural consultant, one of the most common phrases used in referral information is that the individual is engaging in a series of behaviors "just to get attention". Attention has been postulated as a motivation for behavior by the most widely used behavioral assessments such as the Motivation Assessment Scale, the Functional Assessment Screening Tool and others. This article will present the concept that people do not want attention, rather they want the things attention brings, such as safety, affection, acceptance and other needs. In a sense, attention is the means to an end, and not the end itself. A conceptualization for identifying the reinforcers sought by people using behavior to get the attention of others is presented within the context of a single case study.
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Papers by Robert Bowen