Everyone wants to be heard and supported in ways that truly resonate with them. For adults with autism, this means having a voice in how their lives are shaped, and person-centered planning is the key to making that happen. It’s a process that ensures individuals are at the heart of their own care, giving them the largest voice in creating the world they want to live in.
For those of us whose job it is to support adults with autism, person-centered planning is our most valuable tool. It allows us to truly understand each person as an individual, laying the groundwork for better outcomes and a better future.
Understanding the Individual
Person-centered planning starts with a simple but powerful belief: every person with autism is unique, with their own preferences, strengths, and challenges – just like each of us. This approach isn’t just about looking at a diagnosis; it’s about seeing the whole person, with their desires, aspirations, and values.
This requires going beyond standardized treatment plans for caregivers in human service agencies. It involves deeply engaging with each person’s story, learning about their likes and dislikes, and understanding their unique way of communicating. Information is power – the more we know about a person, the better we can tailor our services to meet their specific needs, help them grow, become more independent, and advocate for themselves.
Their Voice is Heard: Advocating for One’s Own Life
At the heart of person-centered planning is the idea that the individual should have the biggest say in creating the environment they want to live in. We all want this – whether it’s choosing where to live, how to spend our free time, or getting the right support. It’s about having a voice in the decisions that affect our lives.
Empowering adults with autism to make these decisions is crucial because it helps them build confidence and develop the skills they need to advocate for themselves. Self-advocacy isn’t limited to knowing your legal rights or fighting for legislative change; it’s about being able to speak up about your everyday needs, like what you want to eat, how you want to spend your day, how you take care of your health, and your employment opportunities.
Self-advocacy opens the door to critical services. The National Autism Indicators Report from Drexel University (2020) highlights that many adults with autism struggle to access services that are critical for their independence. For example, fewer than half (around 40%) of young adults with autism received job training or employment services. Self-advocacy skills (and caregivers who empower the development of these skills) are essential for these individuals to secure the services they need.
When caregivers focus on truly listening to the individual, they create an environment where adults with autism feel they have ownership and control over their lives. Advocacy isn’t just about being heard—it’s about being respected and valued for who you are.
Creating an Environment of Belonging
Person-centered planning goes beyond decision-making to create environments where adults with autism feel they belong. We all need to feel like we’re part of something, and this is especially important for individuals with autism who might experience social isolation or exclusion.
A study published in Autism in Adulthood in 2023 found that adults with autism are at a higher risk of experiencing loneliness compared to their neurotypical counterparts. The study noted that the prevalence of loneliness was particularly high among those who were unemployed or lacked social support networks.
By understanding a person’s preferences, caregivers can help them build and foster meaningful connections and relationships. Friendships, relationships, and opportunities to meet new people are essential parts of a fulfilling life. For adults with autism, these connections can be carefully nurtured through thoughtful planning that respects their social preferences and communication styles. When caregivers consider these factors, they can help individuals form lasting relationships that contribute to their overall happiness and well-being.
The Role of Communication in Person-Centered Planning
Communication is the cornerstone of person-centered planning. Understanding how an adult with autism communicates—whether through spoken words, sign language, gestures, or technology—is essential to truly knowing who they are. Each person’s way of communicating is unique, and it’s through this lens that caregivers can really grasp the individual’s needs, desires, and goals.
When caregivers invest time in learning and adapting to these communication styles, they unlock a world of possibilities for the person they support. This understanding leads to more accurate and meaningful planning, which, in turn, results in better outcomes. Without this effort, there’s a real risk of miscommunication, which can cause frustration, disengagement, and ultimately a lack of progress.
Risks of Missed Opportunities
Not offering person-centered planning isn’t just a missed opportunity—it’s a significant risk. Without this approach, caregivers might create an environment that doesn’t engage the individual, leading to unhappiness, stagnation, and a lack of growth. When adults with autism aren’t involved in planning their own lives, they may feel disempowered, which can reduce their motivation and participation in activities.
This lack of engagement can create roadblocks to growth and independence. Like everyone else, adults with autism need opportunities to develop and expand their skills. Person-centered planning provides a framework for identifying and pursuing these opportunities, ensuring the individual is always moving toward greater autonomy and self-sufficiency.
Conversely, embracing person-centered planning opens doors to new possibilities with an expansive vision. It allows individuals to set and achieve personal goals, develop new skills, and build relationships that enhance their quality of life. This approach meets the individual’s current needs and lays the foundation for future growth and development.
Person-centered planning is more than just a tool for working with adults with autism—it’s a necessity. By placing the individual at the center of their care, caregivers ensure that their voice is heard and respected. It fosters self-advocacy, creates environments of belonging, and unlocks the potential for growth and independence.
In a world where everyone wants to be understood and supported in ways that matter to them, person-centered planning offers a path forward that honors the unique needs and desires of adults with autism. It’s a commitment to seeing the person, not just the diagnosis, and to supporting them in living a life that is truly their own.
To contact Nicole O’Neal, Senior Vice President for Adult Residential Services at Bancroft, email nicole.oneal@bancroft.org. For more information on the services Bancroft provides, visit www.bancroft.org.
