What Is Practice Without Pressure (PWP)?
Practice Without Pressure, a program created by Power to Marc, is a transformative approach designed to help caregivers and the people they support navigate medical, dental, and daily care with confidence, dignity, and cooperation — without fear, restraint, or struggle. It’s about putting the person first and empowering them to participate in their own care.
Why it Matters
Care routines and appointments — like brushing teeth, dental visits, shots, or medical exams — can be stressful, especially for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Traditional approaches often rely on restraint or sedation, leading to trauma and avoidance of essential care. PWP offers a calmer, respectful alternative that builds trust and cooperation.
What You’ll Learn
The Family Caregiver Series teaches PWP principles through an online, flexible eLearning course tailored to family caregivers:
- Foundations of PWP: Understand the philosophy and process that supports cooperative care.
- Practice Leadership: Learn how to guide practice sessions step by step, leading with confidence and patience.
- Tools, Strategies & Techniques: Gain practical skills with real video examples showing how to reduce fear and build trust during care tasks.
- Collaborative Care: Discover how to work with health, dental, and personal care professionals to ensure accessible and respectful experiences for your loved one.
Contact

Susan Blessington
Outreach Coordinator
outreach@dsadelaware.org | (302) 464-6276
Want to start the eLearning course, or have questions about Practice Without Pressure? Contact Susan!

