Using the thinking behind One Page Profiles to plan for 2015 #1PPin2015

Before Christmas, we shared tips on how to produce and use a One Page Profile.  We discussed how to find the information to put in each section, explaining the difference between important to and important for; we talked about how motivating it can be, for you and your child, to find out what others like and admire about them and we also looked at how you can introduce the concept of One Page Profiles into your child’s school.

We have put together a page collating all of these posts so you can find, and share, them easily.

Now the New Year is here and we are all thinking about how to make 2015 the best year we possibly can, so we wanted to show you how you can use the thinking behind a One Page Profile to plan for 2015.  Katie has been using this over the Christmas break with her daughter, the gorgeous Nadia.

Katie and Nadia’s planning

How to use the thinking behind a One Page Profile to plan for 2015.“I was lucky enough to spend a couple of days in the wonderful company of one of my favourite people New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day – my daughter Nadia.

It was perfect timing not to have any Personal Assistants around and to have the opportunity to do some reflection and some thinking together in preparation for 2015.

We have done lots of person centred thinking in our house for many years.  The thinking behind a One Page Profile has become the norm and so Nadia and I got out the flip chart paper and the pens (although I am not a graphic artist by any means and can’t even draw a stick man!).

The place we started was to think about what was good in 2014 – the idea being to then think of doing more of the good to make 2015 even better than 2014!  There was no point in fixing things that definitely are working and don’t need fixing!

I think we were both surprised that many of the things Nadia likes doing were things with her family – especially when it came to holidays (paid for by us of course!) and going to concerts which is something all 8 of us love doing together.

The reflection and thinking took about an hour.  Nadia uses an electronic communication aid and sign language as she is deaf and has no speech.  She would not let me leave her side even to make a cup of tea until we had finished the first poster!

From the What was Good about 2014 it was obvious What Was Important To Nadia – family, gigs, holidays, feeling included, trips away to London and doing work that made a difference, talking about current affairs, her dog etc.   This will help in making sure that her Personal Assistant are able to support her to do the things she likes doing and that are important to her.

We then looked at the What was not Working in 2014 –  these were the things that she was going to “chuck out” and “get rid of” – this was a good time to have a fresh start.  She wanted all her Personal Assistants to support her to make the necessary changes in her life to move onwards and upwards.  We called this poster The Worst Bits About 2014.

The next thing we thought about was her job in 2015.  We went through all the things she Likes when it comes to a job, and all the things she is Skilled at.  This took about one hour and I sat patiently (now both with drinks and food to sustain us) whilst she used her communication aid.  Every so often she wanted her dad to come in (her favourite person!) to see what she had said.  As she wrote on her communication aid I scribbled down what she said for a record.

This felt a real achievement and then led to our planning for 2015 which is, and will continue to be, work in progress throughout the year.

Instead of feeling tired Nadia felt invigorated, listened to, in control, and in charge of her life.  I was just the scribe and the facilitator.

2015 is going to be a year of lots of fun, laughter, family, learning, music festivals, work, holidays and doing the things she feels included and part of such as Rainbow House (Conductive Education physiotherapy on Fridays), going out for meals and seeing friends, theatre and cinema, reflexology and swimming.   Other than the physiotherapy everything else is non specialist.

Now we are in 2015 Nadia and her team are busy planning again and getting the calendar on the walls sorted out and organised.  Leaving some space for spontaneity and last minute ideas.The rota is filling up quickly too and PAs are queuing up to go to concerts and festivals.  I have put my name down to do a bit of Natural Support – to go and see George Ezra with her!  I love him even more than she loves Ed Sheeran!  Actually Nadia has said she is going with me to support me not the other way round!

Hoping your 2015 is very person centred and you do more of the things you like to do and less of things you don’t like!

Katie and Nadia Clarke”

Now it’s your turn

Have you been following our One Page Profile posts but put off producing one due to the chaos that is Christmas?  Welcome, you’re one of us!  However, let’s do this.  Let’s start the new year with a bang, let’s make this year a person-centred year and see what a difference this can make to you and your family.

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Debs Aspland

Mum to three great kids, each with a different SEN. Transplanted from the NW to the SE. Co-founder and Director of Bringing Us Together

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