Contents
- Results Up Front - Negotiations
- Legend
- Structured Temporal Reconciliation
- Overwhelming
- Asking for Help
- Subjective Units of Distress (SUD)
- Hard to ask for help
- Test Messages
- Brief
- JB 99% Great Match
- FYI - Autism Screening Assessment
- Asperger's Syndrome Symptoms
- Key Events
- Reduced Productivity with Age
- Consumer Para-health Worker (PHW)
Finding a great shared room roommate
To find a great shared room roommate, clearly list your deal breakers—like sleep
schedules and cleanliness—and screen candidates thoroughly. Use local platforms
to connect with people nearby, filtering for shared habits rather than just
mutual interests.
Transparency Principle
The principle of transparency dictates that actions, decisions, and
processes must be open, clear, and
accessible to stakeholders. It ensures that individuals can scrutinize
how decisions are made, verify information, and hold organizations or
governments accountable. In practice, this principle operates across several
core fields, emphasizing accessibility
and truthfulness.
Deal Breakers – High Weight Items
- Sleep
- Peace
- Noise
- Intentional Aggravation
- Sleep Apnea
Results Up Front - For Harvest
Negotiations & Matching Tool – 29 Items (HSF)
What DAR and Keith Torkelson Agree Upon
1.00 = Yes (Agree) | 0.50 = SoSo | 0.00 = No (Disagree)
69 percent described qualitatively
Translating a specific number like 69% into a qualitative description
means converting a hard mathematical figure into descriptive, human-readable
language. Instead of citing an exact percentage, it expresses the proportion
using intuitive categories that communicate the weight or frequency of the data
at a glance.
Qualitative Translations of
69%
Depending on the context, field, and tone of your writing, 69% can be
described using various categorical
frameworks:
Descriptive Frequency:
"The majority," "a
significant majority," or "roughly two-thirds".
Research & Thematic:
In qualitative data analysis, researchers
often group responses into tiers. A figure in this range is typically
characterized as "most" or "predominant".
Academic Grading:
In standard academic grading systems, this
percentage represents a D+ (or a flat D depending on the exact institutional
scale).
Customer Feedback &
NPS:
In business metrics, this score signifies
"moderate satisfaction" or "room for improvement" (often
categorizing respondents as passive).
If you tell me what specific context this percentage
comes from (e.g., survey results, student grades, or customer reviews), I can
help you refine the qualitative description to perfectly match
your audience.
Is a D+ failing?
Technically, a D+ is often a passing grade that earns you credit, but it usually doesn't fulfill graduation requirements if the class is for your major, general education, or a prerequisite. In these cases, a grade of C or higher is required, meaning you would have to retake the course. A D+ equates to a 1.3 GPA and roughly 67--69%. Because specific requirements vary heavily between schools and departments, check your college's syllabus or consult your Academic Advisor to see how this impacts your specific degree path.
How is it that something is Overwhelming?
Something becomes "overwhelming" when the emotional and
sensory inputs of a situation exceed your brain's current capacity to cope.
This triggers a physical reaction where your logic-processing prefrontal cortex
slows down, while your emotion-sensing amygdala goes into overdrive. It’s a biological tipping point rather
than a flaw.
This experience usually occurs for a few core reasons:
Sensory and Cognitive
Overload: The
brain can only process a certain amount of information at once. When you take
in too many details, emotions, or tasks, it creates a mental traffic jam.
The Freeze Response: Biologically, when the
brain senses more pressure or threats than it can manage, it shifts into an active "fight-or-flight"
(or freeze) state. This causes simple tasks to feel paralyzing.
Narrative of Depletion: Overwhelm often hits when
you have mentally run out of
bandwidth to categorize, prioritize, and manage the things happening
around you.
Because the reaction is deeply rooted in your nervous system, it often
shows up in your body, leading to a racing heart, shallow breathing, or mental
fog.
Subjective Units of Distress
20260710-F-Pertains to DAR = Doug
https://www.thepsychcollective.com/blog/what-are-subjective-units-of-distress
It is hard to ask for help with an intervention
Asking for help with an intervention is hard because it forces you to face
vulnerability, shame, and fear of making things worse. It means admitting a
problem is out of control. People also worry about burdening others, facing
judgment, and dealing with anger from the person they want to help.
The main reasons it feels so difficult include:
Fear of the Unknown
Families often prefer the safety of their
current routine, even if it is
painful, over the uncertainty of how their loved one will react to a
planned confrontation.
Guilt and Shame
Society often attaches a stigma to
conditions like addiction. Families may feel like they did something wrong and
fear being blamed by others.
The "Burden"
Myth
People often mistakenly believe they will be a burden or inconvenience to
professionals or friends, so they avoid
asking.
Fear of Rejection
The anxiety of asking for help and being
told "no" keeps many people silent.
Control Issues
It is hard to hand control of a crisis over to a professional. Families often fear a stranger will not understand their unique situation. Reaching out is an act of bravery. It is the first step toward breaking the cycle.
Test Messages
Test Message - July 10, 2026 (F)
Greetings Betty (Single point contact),
For the most part things are going well with DAR. Things DAR and Keith agree on: Lighting, Temperature, no Televisions, door to room, blinds, back door, and printer sounds. Things we sort of agree on: Phone calls, Computer use, sleep, headphones. We don’t agree on his moaning and excessive loud coughing. DAR has been moaning loudly. He says his moaning is because he is bored. I know he is trying hard to fit in here at Harvest. Could you please help us get a handle on Doug’s moaning and coughing? It is OK for DAR to moan when I am not in the room. Thank you, Keith Torkelson
Test Message - July 10, 2026 (F)
Greetings Betty,
For the most part things are going good with DAR. I think I may be getting DAR sick. He is coughing and moaning a lot. Can you help us with his moaning and coughing?
Brief
When DAR (Doug) was moving in his friend indentified that he is mildly autistic. We found the following assessment online yet lack enough education and understanding to use it. This is an example of an assessment to be used by professionals. DAR is an approximately 50 year old overweight, diabetic, Caucasian, male. We shared a room with him for approximately three weeks. DAR began coughing and moaning uncontrollably about week 2 which progressively got worse by week 3. We had high hopes for DAR as a great match. Even though our association (match) scored 69.0% he didn’t pull through on some deal breakers such as permitting sleep and maintaining Peace. We worked hard negotiating with him. Unexpectedly DAR was relocated. Since June 20, 2024 in our retirement community (Harvest) we have had four Rent a Shared Room (RASR) roommates. In terms of user friendliness they rank: JB (Best) > RJD > TK > DAR. JB was a 99.0% match. Unfortunately, JB passed away. We share this material with the hope that others may benefit from our lessons learned.
FYI - Autism Screening Assessment
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
https://mc3michigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ASSQ-v2-ages-6-17.pdf
High-Functioning ASD Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ)
Adapted from Ehlers et al. 1999, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 29(2): 129-41.
Name of individual__________________________ Date of birth __________________
Name of rater ______________________________ Date of rating _________________
This individual stands out as different from other individuals of his/her age in the following ways:
No | Somewhat | Yes
Asperger's Syndrome Symptoms
Asperger's is a form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) defined by
challenges with social interaction, specific communication styles, and highly
focused interests. Unlike other forms of autism, individuals typically do not
have language delays. Symptoms vary widely but most commonly involve:
Social Challenges
Trouble reading body language, difficulty
understanding sarcasm or humor, and awkwardness
in conversation.
Narrow Interests
Obsessive focus on specific, often highly detailed subjects (e.g.,
train schedules, specific academic topics).
Routine & Repetition
Strong reliance on daily routines and
intense distress if these habits are disrupted.
Sensory Sensitivities
Heightened or lowered reactions to lights, sounds, textures, or tastes.
While "Asperger’s syndrome" is often still used to describe
someone with "high-functioning" autism, it is no longer an official
medical diagnosis. The medical community now groups all these symptoms under
the broader umbrella of Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-5).
Key Categories of Symptoms
1. Social Interaction and Communication
People on the spectrum often struggle with reciprocal social dynamics,
finding it hard to form and maintain peer
relationships.
Non-verbal communication
Avoiding or struggling with eye contact, unusual facial
expressions, or rigid posture.
Conversation patterns
Tending to dominate conversations by talking
at length about their special interests rather than engaging in two-way dialogue.
Literal language
Taking idioms and figures of speech literally, making it difficult to catch subtle meanings or humor.
2. Restricted or Repetitive Behaviors
These behaviors provide a sense of structure and comfort.
Rigid routines
Requiring the same daily habits (e.g.,
eating the exact same meals) and experiencing anxiety when schedules change
unexpectedly.
Repetitive movements:
Engaging in self-stimulatory behaviors, or
"stimming," such as hand-flapping, pacing, or rocking.
Special interests
Developing encyclopedic knowledge about narrow, specific topics.
3. Other Common Signs
Sensory processing issues
Being over-stimulated
by crowded, loud, or brightly lit environments, or having a fascination with
certain textures or sounds.
Motor skill differences
Experiencing clumsiness, poor coordination,
or an unusual gait or
posture.
Emotional responses
Difficulty regulating emotions, which can
occasionally lead to meltdowns, outbursts, or emotional exhaustion from attempting to fit in.
02_Move_Plan_Phase-VI_14121902_Adjustment V2026
Reduced Productivity with Age
Research on aging and productivity reveals that average workplace
productivity often remains flat between the ages of 20 and 60, though it can
increase in complex tasks and decrease in routine ones. However, age-related cognitive changes,
chronic health conditions, and early-onset neurodegenerative diseases can
significantly impact output over time.
Key Factors Impacting
Productivity
Cognitive Speed vs.
Experience: While
processing speed may decline, older workers often excel in complex,
knowledge-based tasks due to accumulated experience, institutional knowledge,
and strong decision-making skills.
Health and Medical
Conditions: Chronic
conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or arthritis can reduce endurance and comfort, impacting
daily energy and focus.
Early-Onset
Neurodegeneration: Recent studies, including a report in the American Academy of Neurology, show an association
between reduced work productivity and early-onset
dementia, with productivity drops sometimes preceding clinical
diagnosis by 6 to 15 years.
Strategies for Productive
Aging
To maintain or enhance productivity as you or your workforce ages,
focus on these actionable strategies:
Ergonomic Adjustments: Modifying workspaces (e.g.,
adjustable desks, better lighting) can reduce physical strain and fatigue.
Task Matching: Leveraging older workers
for high-complexity projects or mentorship roles while adjusting routine task
loads maximizes their strengths.
Workplace Flexibility: Incorporating self-paced work, flexible schedules, and regular rest breaks helps manage energy levels effectively.
Health Management: Prioritizing preventative
health care and condition management can mitigate
age-related physical and cognitive decline.
Consumer Para-health Worker (PHW)
A consumer para-health worker, often known as a Peer Support
Specialist, Community Health Worker (CHW), or Consumer Provider, is an
individual who uses their lived experience with mental health, substance use,
or chronic health conditions to support and guide others. They serve as
mentors, system navigators,
and advocates.
Concerns
When to See a Neurologist?
https://www.rush.edu/news/when-see-neurologist
Make an appointment with PCP
ND = Not Diagnosed | RT = Real Time | LSF = Low Scores are Favorable
Scale
0.00 = No | 0.50 = SoSo | 1.00 = Yes
