Can Biology Based Learning Assist Non-Verbals in Career Selection?
Author: K Tate

Biology Based Learning is an exciting new field applying the scientific understanding of how the brain is wired to the rest of the body to how it processes information in learning. A new area of application is currently being developed which seeks to use this knowledge to assist non-verbals in career selection and improve work flow design.


Case History 1
George is a student at a special needs high school in Christchurch, New Zealand. He was brought for career counseling by his teachers because he had reached the age where he should be leaving school, but because he was so unresponsive, they did not know what options to present him. George was perceived as unresponsive because he always slumped over with his head down. Actually George was doing exactly what he needed to do to process information because he only receives it through his right ear. Having discovered this, we demonstrated to his teachers that when we spoke to his right ear, he did respond. George subsequently went on to practice answering phones in his work shop classes. He was very proud of this and as long as he was not required to take written messages, he did very well.

Case History 2
Catherine is an Intellectually Disabled client in Christchurch, New Zealand. Catherine is a receptionist who has never been trusted with filing because she always gets it all mixed up. Catherine was given a biology-based learning test and it revealed that she processes information mainly through her right eye. With this knowledge, Catherine’s work station was redesigned so that the main flow of information came to her from the right. She was taught to file from Z to A instead of A to Z and has become quite proficient at it. When instructions are presented to her in reverse sequential order, she does quite well. For example, if you would like Catherine to put 5 cheque books in particular pigeon holes by the end of the day, you would present the information as follows:

1. Catherine, by the end of the day, I would like these 5 cheque books to be in these pigeon holes.
2. Before you can do that, they must be recorded on this computer file. This is how you do it.
3. Before you can do that, they need to be recorded in this special book.
4. Before you can do that, they need to be date stamped.
5. Before you can do that, they need to be taken out of the mail bag.

Because Catherine processes information mainly through her right eye, she was advised that Reception was not a particularly good career choice for her. She was encouraged to aim for clerical work instead. Catherine is currently learning to type and is proud to say that she is currently typing at 20 wpm with 90% accuracy. All of her managers report they have never seen Catherine function at such a high level, noting marked improvement in confidence and competence. Well done Catherine.

Catherine’s career alternatives were based on the following biology based learning results which I then interpreted using my knowledge of the skills required for the jobs she was interested in:

IF brain = right
AND eye = left
AND ear = right
AND hand = right
AND leg = right
THEN Receptionist = NO
AND Secretary = YES


The Biology Based Learning test employed took 5 minutes to administer. With that information, decisions were made on work space design, information processing and career alternatives. More research needs to be done in this new application to determine if biology based learning can assist non-verbals in career selection.

© 2003 By K Tate
Career Alternatives
www.christchurchcareeralternatives-co-nz.150m.com
christchurchcareeralternatives@yahoo.com.au






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K Tate of Career Alternatives is experienced with people from all walks of life and cultures, including non-verbals and intellectually disabled. Her unique skills combine biology based learning (how the brain is wired to the rest of the body and how this affects career choice, work tasks, study and information processing) with cross-cultural communication and specialised skills for survivors of violent crimes. She participates in the Career Practitioners Association of New Zealand, and has over ten years experience providing career and lifestyle planning.

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