Constructive Functional Diversity presents a more dynamic and constructive paradigm than the ones that presently exist, to describe and change the impact of impairment and disability. The reflections contained are inspired by my personal and professional frustration with the existing polarised ideology of human function, which fails to adequately describe the diversity of physiological and psychosocial function amongst people. It aims to provoke and inspire dialogue about our current paradigm of human function in relation to value and capacity. I critique society’s biases regarding of functional deficit relative to the subconscious fear of losing function. I question the polarity of the negatively framed language of impairment and disability. I offer constructive, creative solutions to describe the experience of atypical function. I present an entirely new language of diverse human function and my concept of Constructive Functional Diversity (CFD), which includes a complex yet logical array of modes and outcomes of function. Finally I suggest the benefits of a more dynamic paradigm of functional change in enhancing rehabilitative outcomes, including client-directed practice.

1. Constructive Functional Diversity
A NEW MINDSET AND LANGUAGE
OF FUNCTION FOR REHABILITATION
Philip Patston
CQSW, Dip App Soc Studs
Managing Director
Diversity New Zealand Ltd

2. How would you respond?
• I’d Hate it to happen
• I’d Fear the unknown
• I Wouldn’t mind
• I’d be at Peace with the world
• I’d Love it to happen

3. …waking up tomorrow morning with
these changes
• You have different coloured hair
• You are rich and famous
• Your gender has changed
• Your sexual preference has changed
• You are another race
• You have 50% of your physical, intellectual,
sensory or emotional capacity
H F W P L

4. Have you heard of these conditions?
• Chronic Physiological Superiority Syndrome
• Ineptitude Imperfecta (Einstein’s Disease)
• Aesthetic Arrogance Disorder

5. • Cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Asperger’s syndrome
Have you heard of these conditions?

6. Why do we use medical labels for some people and not others?
• values, beliefs, attitudes
• sadness, a focus on loss, pity, denial
• shock, horror and devastation
• our own fear of losing function
• dysfunctionphobia

7. What needs to change?
• facilitate a constructive change in the
language and thinking used to describe
and understand function

8. Edward de Bono
Precision in the use of words
Positive thinking keeps us in undesirable
situations
Constructive thinking moves us towards the
desirable outcome.

9. CONSTRUCTIVE
FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY
(CFD)
A new way of thinking
about function

10. IN A NUTSHELL
25% 75%

11. IN A NUTSHELL
25% 75%

12. Four core elements:
1. Modes – how we function
2. Outcomes – why we function
3. Value (or desired state) – the level of
importance placed on function
4. Capacity (or actual state) – the level of
ability to function
CONSTRUCTIVE
FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY
(CFD)
A new way of thinking
about function

13. CONSTRUCTIVE
FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY
(CFD)
A new way of talking
about function

14. Enabling rehabilitative outcomes
Psychological benefit
Client directed practice
Understanding motivation to recover

15. Contact me
• Philip Patston
Managing Director
Diversity New Zealand Ltd
• email philip@diversitynz.com
• web www.diversitynz.com
• @diversitynz
• facebook.com/diversitynz