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An Introduction to Person Centered Planning

Author : Lisa Simmons
The basic assumption behind person centered planning is that EVERYONE; verbal or nonverbal, “normal” or profoundly disabled has goals or values that are central to them having a satisfying life experience. However, one of the most common mistakes made by service coordinators new to person centered planning is the assumption that everyone has similar goals/values. This makes the next leap (that everyone’s goals & values are similar to our own) incredibly easy to fall into. We all must struggle to remember that life values are formed out of life experiences and life experiences VARY DRAMATICALLY from person to person. When we look at the life experiences of the average middle class American & compare them to that of a disabled adult who may have spent a significant portion of their life institutionalized the difference becomes even more dramatic. Add into this picture the fact that the individual you are supporting may not be able to easily communicate their desires & preferences & the challenge is laid out. So where do we begin?
1. Can you identify any issues right off the bat that have been ‘struggle points” in the past? This probably indicates that the issue is important enough to the person to fight for. Usually these are issues of control. Having access to things they want, having control over the pattern or pace of their day, having control over their diet or access to specific food items. Usually direct support staff are your best source of this information if the person cannot tell you him/herself.

2. Once the issues are identified, brainstorm with the individual & their support team (all the important people in their life) to find a workable solution. This may mean helping them purchase desired items or it may mean assisting them to budget toward the purchase of a larger item like a TV. If the pace or routine of their day isn’t working, can their activities be rearranged or the pace changed to something more comfortable. Activities (whether work, leisure, or domestic) that generate “struggle points” should be seriously looked at. Most of us don’t continue to participate in things that we find objectionable. We find something else to do, or if the activity is essential, we find someone else to do it. If the issue is food related, it may take some creativity to balance real health issues against the individuals preferences. If it’s a particular food item such as pop or high fat snacks, explore the possibility of substituting fat free or caffeine free items. Trade offs are necessary for all of us at times when our health is on the line, but only the individual can decide which trade off is the most acceptable. Creativity is key during this part of the process.

3. Once the obvious problems have been resolved, the support team can move on to explore expanding the individual’s quality of life. Is the person satisfied with his or her living arrangement (who & where)? Does the person like his or her job? Is the person making enough income to support the lifestyle he or she wants? Does the person have hobbies or recreational activities to enjoy during free time? Are there any new skills (leisure or work related) that the person would like to learn? Does the person have satisfying relationships with friends & family? Are there any long term goals the person would like to start working towards? As issues are discovered they will fall into 2 categories: short term easily addressed issues & long term goals that will take several steps to reach. If Joe has an interest in music & would like to buy the latest compact disc by his favorite group – that’s a short-term issue. It is easily resolved as long as he has the money to purchase the CD & a CD player to play it on when he gets home. Your role may simply be to supply transportation to a local store or shopping mall. If, on the other hand, Joe wants to go to backpacking in the mountains on his next vacation – that’s a long-term goal. Your role will probably be to help Joe in a number of steps to get ready for his trip (saving the money needed, learning the skills needed to backpack in the mountains, finding a reliable tour group or hiking partners, building the stamina to vacation outdoors, etc. etc.). Our role is not say, “no problem – whatever you want”. Our role is to say, “that’s a great dream – here’s how we get there from here!”

Copyright 2000 Lisa Simmons

About the Author

Lisa is the director of the Ideal Lives Project, providing practical support to special needs families & professionals. Visit on-line at http://www.ideallives.com or subscribe to her free newsletter at: mailto:ideallives-subscribe@topica.com

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