Practice Examples

Now you can practice the LAF, don't CRY strategy:

  What To Do

• Review the steps in the LAF, don’t CRY strategy. Keep it bookmarked or keep it posted beside your computer as a reminder to use positive communication skills.
• Now read each of the 3 examples below and click on the response that would be the best one for the mentor to give to the adolescent or young adult. Remember that the mentor will be most effective if he/she uses positive communication skills (LAF, don’t CRY).
• After you click on the answer button, read the feedback to see "why" the answer is correct (or not correct).

  Example #1

You are Sheila's mentor. Sheila is in high school. She lives at home with her parents and two brothers. She likes all kinds of music and also likes dance. She has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. She uses an alphabet board or computer to communicate. She sends you this E-mail message:

"I had such a boring weekend. It poured rain and I had nothing to do. I got so sick of watching TV."

Which of these answers would be the best one for you to send if you were Sheila’s mentor?

	"Sheila, you shouldn’t feel sorry for yourself. If you are bored, find something to do. Don’t just complain!"
	"Sheila, it sounds as if you were pretty bored this weekend. I remember I used to be really bored in high school. I didn’t have many friends when I started high school. But in the end it all worked out. I’ve got tons of friends now and I go out all the time."
	"Sheila, I'm sorry you had such a boring weekend. I remember I found it really difficult to make friends and get involved in activities when I was in high school. What do you usually do on the weekends? What kinds of things do you like to do to have fun? Maybe we can brainstorm about some things you could do to have more fun on the weekends."
	"Sheila, sorry to hear that you had a lousy weekend. Mine was great! I went out with some friends on Friday night and then on Saturday I went on a picnic. The weather was great and it was so beautiful at the lake!"

This research is supported by Grant #H133G8004 from The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and no official endorsement should be inferred.