Raising a child who lives with a disability can feel overwhelming at times with all of the professional services that can be part of the daily routine of getting your child the help they need or that has been recommended. In meeting the therapeutic, medical, educational, and other needs of our children, we sometimes forget the whole child and to include their perspective.
One strategy to help parents is to help identify and prioritize goals, as well as develop a simple action plan to make progress on goals for your youth or adult. A proven effective method to ensure that individuals (youth/adult) voice is central to this process is to develop a strategic Person-Centered Plan. A well-developed Person-Centered Plan can create a comprehensive picture of your child, focusing on the important people in their lives, personal interest areas, identifying successful routines, as well as areas of difficulty, strengths and weaknesses of both your child and his/her support system.
This comprehensive picture of your child helps lead into the development and prioritization of goals and a simple action plan with clear steps to achieve the set goals. Another outcome is also the development a one-page person-centered profile that helps other who work or are with your child (teachers, therapists, coaches) get to quickly know your youth and better meet their needs.
With a well designed Person-Centered Plan, a person-center profile is created, which
helps others who are working with your child (teachers, therapists, mentors, coaches) get to know and understand your child more quickly, ultimately allowing them to better meet their needs.
There are many levels that person-centered planning can be approached. I am happy to discuss and work with you do design what level makes the most sense for you and your family.