Interview Person with Developmental Disabilities

[Cypress]

I am enrolled in an on-line Certificate of Journalism Program. I have an assignment to do a Q & A with someone outside my social circle. Someone unusual in some way. It's a classic interview training for print journalism.

As I work full time and commute, it's tricky to find time with a person willing to talk on my confining schedule. After some challenges, I arranged for an interview with a person I always see at a local public library. The person has developmental disability of some kind. This person is around, accepted as part of community there. I go by him at Book Club each month and only say hello.

The librarian agreed I could do the interview and she would introduce me next Tuesday. What should I ask? Of course, there is standard, your name, age, where from, beyond that, what to ask? Why are you here in the library so much? What are you doing now? What are your interests?

This is my first conversation with this person, I want to be pleasant, but I've never spoken to them beyond hello. I guess I don't want to put my foot in my mouth and say anything insensitive, yet I don't want to treat them as if they are different. They just interact differently.

What should I avoid asking? Maybe I am hyper careful, but I want it to be a positive experience for both of us. I am trying to be PC and maybe blundering along :P

[Miss Cellane]

What is the purpose of the interview? I'd focus more on that than this person's disability. Are there any guidelines for what type of information you are supposed to be getting, that sort of thing?

You could ask about favorite hobbies, or if they have a job, or what their favorite superhero is.

Start with some very general questions--what do you like to do at the library? Outside the library? At home? What is your favorite food/season/holiday/mode of transportation/book/movie/video game? What makes you happy? What makes you sad? Why do you like coming to the library? How often do you come? What do you do here? One or more of these questions will spark an interested response, and you can ask follow-up questions from there.

If they bring up the disability, then you might ask a few related questions. How do people treat you? What would you want other people to know about your disability? What are the advantages/disadvantages of having this disability?

[Williamsmith]

Everybody has a story to tell....unlocking the willingness to tell it is the challenge to interviewing. Sometimes telling a revealing story about yourself will help. Sometimes people just aren't ready. Good interviewers are born mostly and not made. Don't take it personally if it don't work out.

[Zoe Girl]

I like the suggestions. I would have some starter questions and then take his lead. Then get curious, open-ended, but probing just a little.

I am interested in hearing how it goes!

[cdttmm]

What's your favorite book? Why?

If you could meet anyone (living or dead), who would you want to meet? Why? What would you ask that person or what to talk about with them?

Where is your favorite place that you have visited? Why?

Where would you most like to visit that you've not yet been to? Why? What would you want to do or see there?

What are you passion about? Why?

Is there anyone that you consider to be your personal hero? Why? What did they do that gave them hero status in your mind?

You can probably sense a theme here. . . the follow-up question (often "why?") is when you are likely to really get them talking.

This sounds like such a fun assignment -- I hope you enjoy it!

[Rogar]

Anyone who spends a lot of time in a public building must have seen some interesting people or events. The could be an avenue to explore.

I suppose in the world of interviews there are some specific guidelines, but I can see it as being just a general interest interview about an interesting or different person. It could also have a theme or main issue. Like what obstacles do public buildings present to disabled people. Or how could the library be improved.

[Williamsmith]

Judging from the eclectic characters that hang out in my own library.......Cypress might be challenged to make sense of the responses she gets.

[frugal-one]

The one question I ask that always elicits a variety of answers and is very interesting.... "What is exciting in your life?" I ask this of people all the time. Many times they just 'light up" and are delighted to share whatever excites them.

[Cypress]

Wow! I wish I could give everybody a bag of chocolates for the replies. The thing I keep learning through this course is I end up talking and being around people I would never have contact with. I guess it has a way of breaking down barriers and accepting that everybody is walking around with a story to tell. This person comes into the library daily as I think the librarian invited this or made it part of community service to welcome someone with disability. He talks and walks around and is always there. It's probably great for socialization skills and interactions. Apparently, some one comes in Tuesday nights and reads to him. So it's a chance for people to give kindness. These questions are really thoughtful. I am sure it might be me that has to walk in with the best of intentions and encourage a dialog.

[Cypress]

I did some research on the local agency he is connected to. They have a slogan on their Website: Don't underestimate me, I know more than I say, I think more than I speak, and notice more than you realize. I Am Here.

[Teacher Terry]

As someone that has spent years working with people with disabilities don't ask him about it. Just treat him like everyone else and if he wants to tell you about his experiences he will. Chances are as he gets talking and feels more comfortable he will probably talk about it.

[Cypress]

Hi, I had the interview on Tuesday evening. Apparently, the correct terminology is spectrum disorder. It was interesting his body language. The interview was fine. He behaved in a shy somewhat reserved manner. My guess is it was the first time anyone had approached him and asked him about himself. I recorded the interview and was pleased to hear I did not sound rushed, slow, or anything but curious. When I spoke with the head librarian after, we both thought in time, he would open up more once he felt confident in me. Maybe he sees me come into the library routinely, but we hardly interacted beyond a hello. So, he showed good judgement in being cautious about himself talking to someone new. His verbal cues were fine, he was involved in the interview. He often would ask me back what I asked him. Where do you live? What are you reading? How are you? I'll follow up next week to fill in a few blanks. But, the better approach probably is not so direct, more, do a puzzle, play a game and slowly ask personal questions. I learned a lot, I got past a personal problem with how to interact and gained confidence. Most of all, he was treated well and not just a practice interview for me. He is just like anyone else, you have to learn what's the best approach to earn a little respect.

[catherine]

In journalism, there is usually an objective for the interview. Do you have an objective? A particular angle you are exploring? That would be the first place to start: Even if it's just "Getting to know some of the people at your local library."

[Teacher Terry]

It sounds like he has what used to be called Asperger's which is a mild form of Autism. It is now referred to as a Spectrum Disorder. Often people with this disability have problems reading body language, social cues, etc. They often are very successful in college, work , etc but need jobs where communication skills are not the most important thing in their work since this can be an area that they will struggle with.

[Cypress]

That's it! I'll call my person Willie. Willie has a spectrum disorder. The interview was interesting as he made all the right sounds and interactions during the conversation. He turned it into a conversation as would ask me back what I asked him. He asked where I lived, worked, what I was reading. We only had 9 minutes as he was meeting his reading buddy that night. For three years, a woman has been reading to him every Tuesday night. They were just about to finish "The Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell. I loved that book when I was a teenager. He loves to be read to and they have a friendly relationship. He had a habit of looking at me, than looking away when in conversation. He just behaves a little differently but really, not much. He has good social skills and has his habits that get him out into company. He had a job at a local nursery. I think if he knew me better, he would respond better. He tended to answer, I don't know, I don't remember, I don't know, sort of dodging an answer. The librarian said he can be lazy in his speaking and that was typical. Next time, play a game with him or do something that doesn't focus so much on him but on us. I hope to keep at it and get a little closer. It was a stretch for me to talk to him and get way passed some personal barriers. Willie is fine, he just needs some time to get to know him. The interview is almost ready for submission.

I had trouble securing an interview and lost two that I thought had a lot of potential. The first was at a transition house for homeless people. I actually went to the residence for a monthly communal dinner but when I followed up to try and secure an interview with one of the people, the program director would not return calls or email. I was surprised as she gave me her business card and said contact me. The second interview was to have been with an undertaker, but he said his workload was too busy to allow time for it, although he seemed sincere and wanting to offer me the opportunity. It's tough to have a full time job and find a way to fit this in to the day. So, I am grateful Willie was available The goal was to talk with someone outside my normal social circle, someone somehow a little different and unusual. This worked out.