| Name: Rick | Date: February 10, 2011 | Completed By: sister |
| Skills | Challenges | Accommodations |
Expressive Communication: |
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| Preferred method(s) | ||
| Body proximity Eye contact Guttural sounds Some written words (prompted) Selecting and exchanging photos Great memory |
Little initiation Unfamiliar people may not notice/understand his attempts to communicate | Verbal prompts (OK, go ahead, show me) Observe carefully for subtle changes in body posture, eye gaze, sounds and facial expression Have photos available |
| Questioning | ||
| If he is unsure will come right up to your face, use intense eye contact and may make a noise | Rick requests but doesn’t have a consistent way to question Can appear threatening |
Use verbal and visual explanations |
| Indicating yes/no | ||
| Walks away for no Smiles for yes May make a guttural noise for yes |
Difficult for people who don’t know Rick to interpret his responses Rick wants to please people so he may go along with things that aren’t his choice | Allow him to walk away when no is his answer |
| Choice Making | ||
| Can print some words when cued with “Tell me what you want” Rick can choose from a visual display of words or pictures | If presented in a linear way he just chooses them in sequence | Rick prints a phrase beginning with “I want” On a bad day someone else may need to print the “I want” Present the pictures in a random scatter on the table |
| Unique words or phrases with a specific meaning | ||
| None at present except if he is upset his sounds are louder and more “sing-songy” | ||
| Non-verbal communication | ||
| This is Rick’s primary and most constant form of communication | ||
| Writing ability | ||
| Rick can print at least 500 words but not without prompting and usually related to requests or labelling in response to a picture | Needs to carry writing tools since he no longer uses an electronic device | Needs to practice this skill regularly |
Receptive Communication: |
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| Understanding instructions | ||
| Rick responds well to verbal instructions when he is calm | When upset Rick’s comprehension decreases | Repeat an instruction, break a sequence into smaller steps Allow him time to complete the request |
| Understanding questions | ||
| Rick’s receptive communication is good | Rick may understand but it is difficult for him to demonstrate that by responding in a timely fashion | Allowing him time and offering multiple options to allow him to respond (writing, photos, body language) |
| Choice making | ||
| Can select from a variety of pictures | Ensure the presentation is random | |
| Reading ability | ||
| Rick has a large sight vocabulary | Random selection of words can be used to make choices | |
| Rick appears to have a very finely tuned ability to read others’ intentions | He makes quick decisions about who he does and doesn’t like | He responds well to people he likes and who are comfortable with him |
| Reaction to others talking about you (him/her) | ||
| If Rick is in the room address him directly, don’t talk about him as though he isn’t there Rick has a great memory | Rick may shut down if negative things are being said about him | Focus on positives and be very careful when addressing something that may be a challenge If you say you’re going to do something be sure to follow through |
Self-Regulation |
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| General disposition | ||
| Rick is a generally a happy and easy-going person | When he is not feeling well or can’t express something that is upsetting him | Pay attention if he lies down during the day (other than his nap) or looks pale |
| What calms/coping strategies | ||
| Evening baths Afternoon naps (30 minutes) Sawing wood Going for a walk Sweeping Sitting by the fire |
Rick needs someone with him to engage in some of these calming activities | May occasionally need a verbal reminder to choose a calming activity Someone needs to run his bath |
| What upsets | ||
| Being rushed Not being included unless it is his choice Someone else touching or using Rick’s special items |
Someone else sitting on the fireplace bench or using Rick’s afghan or pillow | Ask Rick for permission first before touching his things |
| Reactions when upset | ||
| Vocalizations get louder Pacing Shutting down and falling asleep |
If Rick gets too upset he can’t self-calm | In intense situations make suggestions of ways he can calm himself If he is under-stimulated he needs a suggestion about ways to be active |
| Things to avoid | ||
| Talking about Rick rather than to him Excluding Rick |
If people are sitting and chatting Rick needs a way to participate | Make sure Rick has a role – serving food, taking coats, tending the fire and has his photos/words available if he wants to join in |
| Essential routines | ||
| Housecoat ritual Fire ritual Needs to wear a hat Daily nap and bath Table must be properly set for meals and grace said |
A bathtub isn’t available | A hot tub is an acceptable substitute Warning if a change has to occur |
| Preparation for change/transitions | ||
| Rick is becoming a lot more flexible With a day’s warning Rick can adapt most of his routine |
Someone needs to take time to sit quietly with him and explain what will happen | |
Social |
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| Greetings – others and yourself | ||
| Rick will shake hands, he will accept hugs but does not initiate them He greets others only when prompted |
Will walk past people without acknowledging them | Provide a verbal prompt |
| Conversational rules | ||
| May get up and walk away when someone is speaking to him | Have a sense of humour about this | |
| Comfort in groups | ||
| Because he doesn’t talk Rick needs a role but groups of people don’t bother him as long as he has the option to leave | ||
| Safe person | ||
| Rick needs someone who is familiar with him to help interpret his responses for others | Making sure someone is with Rick who knows him well | If Rick wants to take a walk there needs to be someone available to go with him |
| Food at social gatherings | ||
| Rick’s rule is that when a group of people get together there must be food and beverages People must use coasters |
Involve Rick in food preparation, serving and clean up | |
Sensory |
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| Movement needs | ||
| Rick must have the freedom to get up and move | If Rick doesn’t move frequently he will lose interest or fall asleep If Rick is bored he will start to rock |
He needs a verbal cue such as, “Do you hear music?” to help him stop |
| Ability to sit | ||
| See above | ||
| Favorite items | ||
| Fire bench | Nothing in particular that he would choose to have at the meeting | |
| Room location and set-up | ||
| At his family home – in the living room and sun room | No one can sit on his bench or the hearth of the fireplace – otherwise he’s not fussy | |
| General rules to follow | ||
| Talk to him Use napkins and coasters Rick needs the opportunity to get up and do something about every 10 minutes Ask Rick to help you |
Photo albums and scrapbooks will definitely engage him Explain that kitchen clean up will only happen once the meeting is finished | |
Explanation of PDP |
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| The night before the meeting, explain to Rick that people he knows will be getting together to talk about good things related to his life and that it will be like a party for him | Tell him names and provide pictures of everyone who will take part Tell him about what food is planned and how he will help with that Tell him when the meeting will happen in terms of his daily routine |
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- Ask everyone to bring a picture of and story about things they have done with Rick
- Use a storytelling format
- MAPS or Paths format probably won’t interest him
- Avoid reference to nightmares
- Include his sister in BC by speaker phone if she can’t be present