Somewhere along the way, the heart of person-centred planning of it got lost. Real planning isn’t about forms—it’s about asking...
For many families, “person-centred planning” has come to mean a binder full of goals that sit on a shelf until the next meeting. Somewhere along the way, the heart of it got lost. Real planning isn’t about forms—it’s about asking: What do you want your life to look like? and What’s the next step to get there?
Example: A young man I worked with wanted to live on his own. Instead of filling out worksheets about “independent living,” we hit the pavement. We toured apartments, walked through furniture stores, and compared grocery bills. He quickly saw what was realistic and what would take more saving. By the end, he had a clear picture of both the challenges and the possibilities. That’s planning with purpose—not just talking, but living the learning.
A good plan should bend and grow with the person. I often say, “Some weeks I think of ten goals for myself, but by the weekend, only one sticks.” Why shouldn’t people with developmental disabilities be allowed to do the same? Plans should be flexible, not locked in stone.
Example: One young woman started with a goal of going back to school. After a few weeks, she realized she wasn’t ready yet. Instead, she chose to focus on building confidence by joining a community art class. That shift didn’t mean she failed—it meant she was listening to herself and choosing what fit right now. That’s what person-centred planning is supposed to allow: real choice.
True planning is also about more than skills—it’s about roles. Social Role Valorization teaches us that people gain respect and opportunities when they are seen as volunteers, teammates, employees, or leaders—not just “clients.”
Example: One teen told me his dream was to work with kids. So together, we used his plan to get him into a babysitting safety course, connected him with a summer camp, and helped him practice being responsible. By the end of the summer, he wasn’t just “a youth in service”—he was known as a counselor-in-training. That shift in role changed how others saw him—and how he saw himself.
At Life’s Empowerment Solutions, person-centred planning is a living, breathing process. We ask the big “what if” questions, explore options hands-on, and make space for goals to change as life does. We help people map their next steps, build new skills, and step into valued roles in their community.
Because in the end, the best plan isn’t the one that looks neat on paper—it’s the one that actually moves someone closer to the life they want.
Contact us for more information.
