1. These needs are genetic and we are all born with them.
2. All people do is behave, and they behave to get one of their 5 needs met.
3. These behaviors are always the best the person can think of at the time.
What I like about working with the 5 needs is that it leaves no room for criticism or judgement. If you see the behaviors as being the best they could think of at the time, then you can help them evaluate their choice and see if another behavior will better help them meet their needs.
This program will never be a quick fix, because it takes time to teach and evaluate. It takes tremendous patience on the part of the staff and social workers. The joy is in the little changes we see as the program progresses.