Universal LifeStiles, L.L.C.   ...Overcoming Life's Obstacles

Dealing with anger and its consequences is one of the most difficult and important challenges we face in supporting people with developmental disabilities. This presentation is focused to provide attendees with “best practice approaches” which will assist them in supporting others in diminishing the causes of anger. It is through the tools and values of Universal Enhancement (UE) that we support others in having a life free of the influences that tend to lead toward aggression and other forms of socially unacceptable behavior.

In this presentation Dr. Pomeranz assesses the medical/biological, psychological/psychiatric and environmental influences of socially inappropriate behavior. Emphasis is placed on proactive strategies to identify and respond to the unmet needs of the individual. Limitations of classical behavior management approaches are discussed. Through
example and short story Tom makes it clear that “anger communicates unmet need.”

Getting a life for people and coaching them into it-- is an effective intervention for supporting people in behaving in more socially acceptable ways.  Supporting people in possessing and experiencing “things” of value in their lives (hobbies, volunteering, education, spirituality, and leisure pursuits) noncontigently, promotes a quality life. The quality of one’s life is enhanced when family, friends and others who support them behave in ways that embrace the
tools of UE. Lives void of value and meaning result in anomie - if my life has no meaning and my life has no value, I will behave in a way to cause your life to have no meaning and no value either.

As a consumer recovering from mental illness, addictions, brain injury, co-dependence, criminal behavior, and hopelessness (of years of system negligence), he has hit the mark!  Thank you!! Polk County Positive Behavior Support Network, Des Moines, IA

I absolutely love the practicality of it.  It really brings things back into perspective.  Futures Unlimited, Wellington, KS

The view and approach is compassionate and calls for staff/client relationship to develop in a genuine, honest, holistic way.  Modern Support Services, Glendale, CA

Holistic approach to working with people.  Tom is shedding light on a much needed perspective.  Long overdue his presentation and energy was inspiring and motivation.  Community Options,
San Diego, CA

This man has a pure awakening into realistic, workable solutions to having a loving and cooperative and working family.  I have begun to implement his techniques into my own family and it works!!  Bring him back many times over.  North Dakota Family Connections Conference, Fargo, ND

You really made an impact on how I think about services regarding the routines we expect folks to follow, etc.  You’re just about the best speaker I've heard in Human Services.  ANCOR National Teleconference

Your presentation was incredibly inspirational to me as I relate it to the experience we have in raising our son.  He’s got a lot of issues, but you reminded me again how much we end up limiting
him, as opposed to giving him the chance to push out as far as he can. Thank you Tom. California Rehabilitation Association, Sacramento, CA