Listening and engaging to ensure all options are considered

This video talk introduces this strategy:

You will need to:

Be attentive to preferences: actively listening to what the person is saying and hearing what the person thinks will assist you in providing appropriate support for the decision being sought.
Take sufficient time: every decision takes time and people with cognitive disabilities need ongoing support with decision making. You need to take the time to help them think through their decision. Equally, the person needs time to process what is being discussed and presented.
Use others as sounding boards: you can check the interpretation of preferences with other supporters. For example, does the person really like exercising early in the morning, or are they just doing it because their friend will be there?

ACTIVITY 5.3: Carol Orders Coffee

This video shows an example of listening and engaging to ensure all options are considered.

Watch the video and then answer the questions. Write in the downloadable workbook located in the Resources section.

Explain whether Carol’s mum is supporting her to make a decision?
Do you think that Carol’s mum is listening to Carol’s preferences?
What decision making type is this?
How is Carol communicating her response for the decision being made?
What strategies could Carol’s mum have adopted to improve her listening and engaging approach?

Select the button below to learn about the strategy Creating opportunities.