Planning Ahead - Florida Developmental Disabilities Council

CHAPTER ONEGetting StartedWhen children are very young it is simple to leave instructions for the babysitter to follow.For parents of a child with a disability, it is natural to continue this as the child grows.However, as this child reaches adulthood, while leaving instructions may continue, it is often difficultto plan ahead to a time when we will not be available to leave the list of “do’s and don’ts”or “likes and dislikes.” We even find it difficult to plan ahead for the time when we will no longerbe here – who will inherit what, where we want to be buried, etc. This planning ahead is evenmore critical when there is a child with a disability in the family who will grow up continuingto possibly need supervision and support in a few or many areas of their life. It becomes veryimportant to commit to writing what we would like the future to be, to leave a verbal picture fornew supports and caregivers.Planning ahead today is quite different from anything that could have been imagined twentyyears ago. We would never have believed that so many persons with disabilities could be makingmany of their own choices, living in the community, owning their own homes, holdingregular jobs, establishing and working toward their own goals. As you study the handbook andcomplete the Personal Information Summary with your family member, keep these thoughtsin mind so that whatever plan you believe is best now won’t prevent that person from movingforward far beyond present expectations. Words you will be hearing often, and four primaryprinciples to remember are:Inclusion – People with disabilities are no longer separated from those who are not disabled.They participate and interact with others in the community just as you and I do. Inclusion alsoincludes addressing cultural diversity.Self Determination – People with disabilities take control of their own lives, make choices andexercise their rights.Person-centered Approaches & Planning – The focus of planning is done by and with theindividual. The planning process must be geared to the individual’s particular desires and personalwishes. Planning is on-going and responds to the needs of the individual and respectstheir personal choices. Person Centered Planning is not a quick solution or just a written documentto address problems – it is a consistent and on-going approach to support the individualChapter 1, Getting Started3