Understanding The Importance of Respect

Respecting others is a trait our parents and guardians teach us from a young age. From sharing toys to making sure you are polite in others homes; respect can be shown in many ways, but for some, it is harder to stick to. Whether it be because you are being disrespected in the moment or not even aware you are being so; it happens to the best of us. Although we aren’t blind to the fact that people that do not always mean it, it is still important to be respectful as often as possible, and sometimes that means being so even in times we don’t feel as if we should be.

Respect in environments such as school is where kids tend to show the most of it since that is where they spend most of their time, but in recent years it seems to have diminished. When it comes to student respect for teachers, “The percentage of people who agreed with the statement “students respect teachers” dropped to 31% after previously being at 79% years prior.” (Toppo, 2014). This can be due to many reasons, whether it be the influence of other students, social media and video games or the freedom of being away from parental supervision, but according to some, it is simply because “students respect teachers who respect them.” (Ferlazzo, 2019). This shows that respect needs to go both ways because everyone likes to be respected. If you show a sense of respect to someone, they are more likely to reciprocate, but for those with learning differences, respect can be taken away at times. Since some people in this world are not so kind, they can treat those with learning differences such as ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, etc. Poorly simply because they are different. Although this is not acceptable behavior, it doesn’t mean you should be disrespectful back. It may feel right at the moment, but respect shows you are the bigger person, and ensuring you show that respect to everyone you come across will allow you to always be the better person, no matter the situation.

The reality is that we as people need to show respect even when we do not want to. Whether it be at school, work, or on the street, showing respect to those we see paints us in a light that shows we deserve respect back. Although having various abilities can make it hard at times due to social or processing differences, it is not something that cannot be integrated into daily life. With the help of the Support for Students Growth Center, respect habits such as listening, not saying something that may be harmful or unkind, being in the moment when with someone, keeping eye contact/facial contact, understanding boundaries, etc. can all be taught with the help of their experts. So, if you or your student needs aid with respect, trust SSGC to help.

Dr. Eric J. Nach, Ph.D., M.Ed., A.S.D.C., is a Developmental and Behavioral Specialist who specializes in Autism, ADHD and related disorders. Dr. Nach is the founder of the College Life Skills Program where he and his team of professional’s help develop the Emotional Maturity, Executive Functioning, Life Skill and Social Abilities of college students and those high school students preparing for college. The CollegeLSP is a subsidiary program of the Support For Students Growth Center, located in Boca Raton, FL and providing services nationwide.

 

Toppo, G. (2014, January 23). Respect at school in decline, survey shows. USA Today. Retrieved May 22, 2022, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/23/respect-schools-teachers-parents-students/4789283/

Ferlazzo, L. (2021, March 5). ‘students respect teachers who they feel respect them’ (opinion). Education Week. Retrieved May 22, 2022, from https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-students-respect-teachers-who-they-feel-respect-them/2019/09

 

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Maintaining Manners

Manners are typically taught to children from a young age. Keeping your elbows off the table, not chewing with your mouth open, saying please and thank you, etc. are what our parents teach us are the most important traits to have, but as you get older, the definition of manners begins to change. Then, we are taught that maintaining eye contact, paying attention fully to what another person is saying, etc. Is what is consider important manners to society, but for those with unique abilities such as ADHD, Autism, and Asperger’s, these manners can be harder to adapt to.

Everyone has a different opinion about what the most important manner is. Some think it is saying excuse me while others believe it is saying thank you, but either way, to them manners overall are important. It helps us as people make a good impression on others and develop connections since no one wants to be around someone who lacks manners, but some have a harder time developing them than others. When asked, one-third of 1,000 people say that they believe Americans have poor manners, which is about 333 of the people surveyed. (Onion, 2006). No one wants to be called rude. It is an insult not only to you, but to those who taught you manners, but for some, it is not purposeful. Those with unique abilities can have issues maintaining eye contact in conversations, or being fully present when in a conversation, which for some may come off rude, but it may be simply just because they are not fully aware of the fact that they are doing such a thing. (NIH, n.d.). It is not meant to be rude, but in today’s society, these actions are not considered proper manners, which is okay. It is okay to admit that as a person you struggle with maintaining societal norms of what is and isn’t considered proper manners, but it is also something that is able to be taught.

The best part about being a student is how easily you can learn. Information is sucked into your mind like a sponge, and the Support for Students Growth Center knows that, which is why they offer programs to help teach students from elementary to college, skills such as manners. Manners are so important in life. It helps maintain friendships, provides a good foundation for finding and keeping jobs, and even allows for acquaintances to think highly of you. If people are always saying how wonderful and great your manners are, word gets around quickly and allows for more opportunities to come, whether it be in relationships or work, which is why if you are struggling, you should trust the Support for Students Growth Center to help.

Dr. Eric J. Nach, Ph.D., M.Ed., A.S.D.C., is a Developmental and Behavioral Specialist who specializes in Autism, ADHD and related disorders. Dr. Nach is the founder of the College Life Skills Program where he and his team of professional’s help develop the Emotional Maturity, Executive Functioning, Life Skill and Social Abilities of college students and those high school students preparing for college. The CollegeLSP is a subsidiary program of the Support For Students Growth Center, located in Boca Raton, FL and providing services nationwide.

Onion, Amanda. “Have Americans Forgotten Their Manners?” ABC News, ABC News Network, 6 Jan. 2006, https://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=118277&page=1.

“What Are Some Signs of Learning Disabilities?” Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/learning/conditioninfo/signs.

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