Person-Centred Planning with People on the Autism Spectrum

This training supports the planning towards a better personal future for adults with an Autism Spectrum Condition. At its core, autism is a social disability. The most noticeable effects are on how people interact with others, which in turn affects how they learn, make choices, use language to communicate, make decisions and how they behave. Being ‘person-centred’ or using a ‘person-centred approach’ means ensuring that everything we do is based upon what is important to a person from their own perspective. Person-Centred Planning (PCP) discovers and acts on what is important to a person but this can be difficult to unravel for a person with an ASC.

The purpose of this course

• Recognise that PCP is a learning disability model and there are important differences in typical strengths and limitations between people with ASC and those with LD.
• Consider and discuss barriers that impact on accessibility to a PCP model.
• Understanding patterns of thinking and communication strengths.
• To provide a forum for the sharing of experience and good practice and to develop innovative practice through an increased understanding of how autism impacts on learning and quality of life.

The key content

• What is autism?
• Exploring the term Autism Spectrum and the PCP process.
• Understanding the impact of communication and language, social and emotional understanding, sensory perception and environmental responses on Person-Centred Planning.
• To learn the necessary skills and strategies to enable people with ASC to work out what they want, the support they need and how this can be achieved.

Expected Outcomes

• Demonstrate an understanding of the range and variation of the Autism Spectrum.
• Understand why is PCP can be difficult for many people.
• Support the typical patterns of communication and thinking in ASC to elicit real meaningful information
• Consider the personal, sensory, physical and mental health issues associated with autism.
• Appreciate the danger in reinforcing rigid patterns of thinking.
• Develop the ability to listen and interpret using knowledge of ASC to plan an appropriate individualised programme/person-centred plan with an individual and ensure a good quality of life or transition.