This talk video introduces this strategy:
To create opportunities, you will benefit from undertaking the following:
- Actively reframe your approach to invite participation: purposefully seek feedback from the person you support about what they think. For example, you can ask them about a place they have visited and whether they’d like to go back.
- Providing a sounding board: means that you are present while the person you support expresses their concerns and wishes. This is an opportunity for them to talk things through with you.
- Acknowledging low expectations and building confidence: people with cognitive disabilities are often not used to making decisions or haven’t been given the choice to make decisions. This means that when they are faced with the opportunity to do so, they might not be able to express their desire or ambition. It is important to acknowledge that and work with them to build their confidence during this process so that they do not respond with what they think you want to hear.
- Testing options: building the person’s experiences comes with supporting them to test or try different activities. You can expand the person’s boundaries by encouraging them to try different exercises, food options or places to visit, to name some options. As a supporter, you have a role in broadening the person’s choices. Remember, in Step 3, we saw that Carol’s supporters tested her options by encouraging her to join yoga class for the first time.
- Introducing and nurturing the seeds of ideas: involves observing what it is that the person has preferences for, and nurturing those options. The activities in this resource about Dan’s Trek demonstrate how his idea was nurtured – his support worker suggested they start with a trek closer to home, and then go further from there.
- Bringing in others to trial a situation: using the principle of orchestration here will assist in creating new opportunities. You can ask the person’s friend if they would like to bring a friend to their dance class, for example.
- Creating distance to enable greater autonomy: means stepping back to enable the person to try new things. Stepping back from situations creates greater autonomy for the person. For example, you can ask the person to pay for the groceries at the supermarket, or you can suggest that they might like to go to the movies with someone else this time.
This video shows an example of creating opportunities.
Watch the video and then answer the questions. Write in the downloadable workbook located in the Resources section.
- What is “good” about the support provided in this scenario?
- Can you see how Carol is provided with greater autonomy? Explain.
- What do you notice about the way Carol is communicating in this scene?
- Do you think Carol’s options have been tested here?
- Think of someone you support. In what way/s have you created distance to provide greater autonomy for them?
This video shows an example of creating opportunities.
Watch the video and then complete the table. Write in the downloadable workbook located in the Resources section.
Complete the table below to describe the ways in which Tom’s dad has gone about creating opportunities for him. The first row has been completed for you.
Select the button below to learn about the strategy Breaking things down.