1. Harman has provided expertise in autism and challenging behaviors to help staff at BAC better understand and support residents. Through training programs and introducing approaches like Low Arousal, Harman has helped reduce incidents and transform how residents and staff function. 2. Harman has consulted at the senior management level, ensuring the organization's focus remains on supporting residents effectively. Her expertise has given the organization credibility and aligned it with leading research practices. 3. Harman's impact on improving residents' lives and transforming the organization will be long-lasting, despite not realizing the influence she has had. She has helped lay the foundation for a more individualized, community-focused approach.

1. 1. Harman’s expertisein Autism and related disorders hashelped usto understand theneeds ofour
residents morefully. SinceI havebeen here, I haveseen amazing differences in our residents,e.g.
residents working, learning new skills, making new friends – enjoying lifemorefully and contributing to
their community.
2. Harman taughtthe“Understanding and Managing Challenging Behaviour” program for us. The
knowledgegained through thatprogram has helped usagain to better understand theneeds of our
residents and how to bestsupportthem. Wehaveseen thedifferencewhen staff knowand understand
theissues underlying behaviours.
3. Theintroduction of theLowArousal Approach to workingwith individuals with challenging
behaviours came attheinitiative of Harman. When Harman initially broughtthis to meI was quite
excited to know therewas amuch better way to deal with very difficultsituations then theNVCI that
has been around for many years. Hearing from someofthestaff aboutthedifferencewith using this
approach is amazing. Itwill taketimefor this to befully integrated here, butitwill come. Thewhole
world for peoplewith disabilities is changing and I am pleased wearehelping tolead thechargein our
sector. So Harman, thank you forthat!
4. Thereduction in incidents with residents is aclear demonstration thatwecan supportindividuals with
disabilities to function and copewith their stressorsin avery differentway. Weall haveto remember
Harman
Itis with sadness and joy thatwesay goodbyeto Harman. Sinceshewill
provideconsultation services for us,I am particularly thrilled!
Harman is spreading her wings. SheandI used to talk aboutindividuals,
staff and residents, here blooming, transforming andspreading their
wings likeabutterfly.
I think Harman does notrealizetheimpactshehas had atBAC - I need to
remind her of so many examples thatdemonstratewhatsheprovided
hereand with her team, helped so many peoplegrowand develop,
sometimes when they either didn’twantto or didn’texpectto:

2. that this is notan ideal homeenvironment, and if wehad to livewith ahundredother people, I wonder
how our behavior wouldbeafter awhile!!
5. Harman’s expertisein PositiveBehaviour Supporthasalso been agodsendto us. Although Ihavestudied
in this area, itis notmy expertise. For Harman to beableto work with theBI’s tosetoutaplan for an
individual residentis no simplefeat. Wehaveto takethetimeto understand whatis happeningwith the
person – whatis causing their behavior. Sometimes itcertainly isn’twhatwewouldassumefirst.
6. Harman has been influential at theSenior Managementlevel in helping us to determinethestrategies and
directions for thefutureof this organization. Often times, shehas broughtus back to reality and ensured
our focus remained on whatis bestfor thepeoplewesupport.
7. For mepersonally, Harman has provided confidencethatweweredoing therightthingin focusing on
education and skill developmentfor staff and forresidents. Becauseof her expertiseI did nothaveto
worry aboutwhether wehad therightapproach to supporting thoseweserve.
8. Harman also added to thecredibility of this organization. Shealigned us with research andleading
practices in supporting peoplewith disabilities. Theresearch with Studio III; VirginieCobigo and the
AgeWell Research Study haveallowed us to beapartof on-going research in howto besthelp
individuals with disabilities to live afull and meaningful lifein their communities.
So Harman whileyou may notrealizewhatyou havecontributed to this organization, yourimpactwill befar-
reaching. You havehelped us lay thefoundation foravery different organization thatfocuses ontheindividual’s assets,
strengths, desires and their need to liveinclusivelives in their communities. Although changesometimes is notas fastas we
would likeitto be, wehaveto understand theseed has been sown! Itwill continueto grow becausewewill ensureitis
nurtured, taken careof and fertilized for thefuture!
Thankyou somuchforwhatyou have
doneforus!
Millie