But He Says “NO!” :Integrating Learning Into Day-to-Day Life in the Community

Patricia TomanelliBarbara Morell John Innis

Where Do You Start?

• From highly-structured to …what?• Who determines the type and amount of structure?• And how does this decision get made?

• What are the goals? What is the vision?• And where does that come from?

Person-Centered PlanningTransition Planning

• Person-centered Planning – Michael’s experience

• Transition Planning• Life Skills Assessment

• Personal Skills• Wellness Skills• Home Skills• Community Skills

IEP Goals Transition Activities Valued Outcomes

Products of PCP• Identification of the “team” or “Circle of Support” and their roles• Individual• Natural supports • Family• Paid staff

• PCP provides a “roadmap” toward valued outcomes• Including potential obstacles that might stand in the way

• PCP provides what you need to create a plan and a schedule

Person-Centered Planning Is An On-going Process

• Updates at each Circle of Support meeting• You might learn that:• Maybe a counselor or psychiatrist appointment has to be made• Maybe staff needs training from a behaviorist (IDGS Clinician)• Maybe a job/volunteer site needs support to break down steps of

a job responsibility• Maybe a team member is not following the plan and making it

difficult for everyone else

So, now there is a plan…• The Circle needs to be on the same page

• Make sure that everyone knows the results of PCP and share prior assessments with them (avoids surprises)

• Who does what? • Individual, parent, Broker, MSC, Support Professionals

• The COS needs to be focused on the individual’s goals and how to move towards realizing them

Consistency

• Develop a system for effective team communication• Look for other learning opportunities• e.g., in any given environment:• What does the individual do that no one else does• What doesn’t the individual do that others do?

• Have a contingency plan for the unexpected• Scheduling • For the individual• For the team

Build a Schedule

1. Place all set appointments and commitments on the calendar• These are obligations and do not involve choice

2. Add all “To Do”s based on current needs and responsibilities• These are “shoulds” and you can choose time and place

3. Add time to explore areas of interest• These are optional and can be considered as “free time” and/or

reinforcement activities4. Add 1 or 2 opportunities to try something new• Also optional, but can serve to expand horizons and lead to

personal growth

Finding Meaningful Activities• All team members must be a professional• Make community contacts with people involved with

preferred activities / “themes” from PCP• Utilize a job developer or a strong team member who can

assist reaching out to preferred places (airport, auto part stores, fishing in January, karate, must work at a carnival, etc.)

Finding Meaningful Activities (cont.)

• Look for activities that promote integration for individuals with varying support needs• Genuine• Equal Access• Positive Energy• Freedom to Choose• Affordable• Active Involvement• Reasonable accommodations• Respect

Finding Meaningful Relationships

• Take time to establish rapport• Look in your community for:• shared-interests clubs• community groups• library classes, continuing education• social media (Facebook groups, Meetup.com, the Patch, etc.)

• Provide relationship instruction: Circles Program

Handling Unexpected Changes or Situations• “No!! Not today!!”• Changes• Job/volunteer site• staff

• When anxiety hits an all time high• When behaviors speak volumes

Before We Panic…• Call a team meeting• Trust the plan• Sometimes best wait to see if things will work

• Patience, patience, and patience

• Problem-solving • What is the function of a behavior?• Who is present?• Is this the right environment? Where does it occur?

• Consider asking for help

Anxiety• What works? What doesn’t? • What calming techniques have been implemented, taught or

practiced with everyone?• Consider social stories, yoga, breathing techniques

• What meaningful reinforcers can be utilized in certain settings?

• Is the team trained to model calming techniques and patience?

Tools are available, use them• People (COS, community, therapist, doctors, clinicians)• Programs (Circles, social skills curriculum)• Check lists (life skills, community activities)• Task Analysis• Break complex goals into small steps for the self-determined

person to learn• Weekly planner for everyone • Hard copy, electronic, Google calendar

• Apps for:• Communicating, scheduling, reminders, budgeting, social stories,

To-Do lists

Life Unfolds…

Thank you!• Questions?

• .

• Patricia Tomanelli• Barbara Morell • John Innis