If there is one phrase in the human language that should be abolished, it is the phrase “special needs.” All people are unique individuals and should be considered special, but their needs are as unique as themselves and should be considered unique to the individual.
A person may have needs that are medically complex, or a person’s health may be considered medically fragile, or a person may have needs that are unique with respect to a specific developmental disability. It is better to consider the individual special and their needs unique to the individual rather than to consider the individual as a person with “special needs.”
Here’s why: If you divide the world into two types of people, those with special needs and those without special needs, you sub-consciously classify people as “normal” and “not normal.” That’s a negative approach to helping someone have their needs met and will, more often than not, result in a negative outcome in meeting their needs.
Ignoring an individual’s uniqueness frequently results in “cookie cutter” solutions that offer no regard for an individual’s specific strengths. When focusing on an individual and their unique abilities, strengths, and needs, problem solving with regard to that individual’s needs results in responses and services that are based on informed decision making.
Certainly, when addressing an individual’s needs from a person centered approach, there are some obvious universal accommodations that cannot be overlooked. Someone who uses a wheelchair, for instance, will need an environment that embraces the use of the wheelchair rather than rejects it. Ramps will be needed to facilitate transitions between levels. Wider hallways and doorways are also more easily negotiated than narrower ones.
However, focusing attention on the individual who uses the chair allows consideration of whether that individual can maneuver the wheelchair independently or will require assistance.
We talked with TaskMaster Pro about this subject, and they added that the best way to ensure that problem solving remains person centered and focused on the individual is to involve that individual, as much as possible, in the planning process itself. They said, “Many state and private provider agencies who provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities use the catchphrase ‘no meeting about me without me.’ This helps all parties involved to remain focused on the person in question.”
Even if an individual is not able to directly participate in a planning session, important information about that person’s strengths and abilities can be obtained from family members and from other professionals who have provided need-specific services and assistance in the past. In some cases identifying family members, friends, and staff can be both tedious and cumbersome. Using specific tools such as genograms, ecomaps, and family relationship maps can help overcome this obstacle.
Another important factor in planning care and services that are person centered is the inclusion of every identifiable professional currently in contact with that individual. Doctors, physical therapists, members of the clergy, and others may not be able to directly participate in the planning process, but their input can easily be obtained by survey and their specific knowledge of the individual used to the individual’s benefit. It is important to have, whenever possible, prior signed consent, from the individual, when discussing that individual’s needs with third parties.
The final stage of the person centered process is implementing the services and strategies that have been selected as most appropriate for the individual. In all instances, it should be extremely clear “who is going to do what.” To that end, one member of the team should be selected to follow up with all parties, at specific times, to identify any specific issue that requires further attention.
Using a little common sense and using available web resources can eliminate much of the stress of providing person specific services, whether you are dealing with a young child, a young adult, or an elderly member of your family.
After all, improving the quality of life of everybody concerned is, indeed, the ultimate goal.
