Individualized Service Plans

Introduction Have you ever stared deeply into a lushly landscaped Japanese fishpond and wondered about the oversized goldfish swimming peacefully below? These brightly colored fish are called Koi and have an interesting relationship to their surrounding. If a Koi is kept in a small fish bowl it will not grow significantly. However, placed in a large pond the Koi will begin to grow in striking proportions. Free a Koi in an even larger natural lake and it can really stretch out and reach its full potential. In fact, the average Koi can grow to 24 to 36 inches if given the right sized pond and proper aeration. Psychologists and sociologists have often used this relationship, coined the “Koi Phenomenon, to describe the relationship human beings have with their own surroundings. Not surprising, is the fact that many individuals with disabilities have related this analogy to the achievements, and set backs, they have experienced when dealing with the world in which they live. In recent years, individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, who were living isolated in segregated institutions, are now moving to community-based homes. With this move towards community integration it becomes obvious that individuals with disabilities can overreach previously conceived limitations when allowed the opportunity to experience true growth. Moving into a new era marked with, slow but steady, improvement for people with mental retardation we see the lesson in the Koi phenomenon. A person’s true potential can only be developed when given the opportunity to grow in a natural and nonrestrictive environment. With this changing landscape of our community we all must find new ways to integrate individuals of all ability levels into life. There is an increasing need for articles, publications, and course books designed to assist instructors, caregivers, family members, and educators in the effort to better implement techniques that encourage special populations to maximize their potential. This publication provides a format for individuals wishing to learn more about designing fully inclusive services for individuals with disabilities. The following materials have been gathered using an interdisciplinary team of case managers, QMRPs, training specialists, recreational therapists, behavioral management consultants, and policy makers – all wishing to improve the service system, and thus the lives, of individuals with disabilities. Your Role: Age-Appropriate Activities Unfortunately, individuals with developmental disabilities are already at risk of being stigmatized or misunderstood. For this reason, one should always be mindful of teaching methods that may make a person with a disability look childish or different. All lesson plans, activities, and events involving persons with disabilities should be age-appropriate in nature. Encourage individuals with disabilities to participate in activities that are carried out exactly the same, or as closely possible, as that of a person without a disability. Do not use childlike toys, games, or teaching tools. As a caregiver, understand that your interactions and teaching practices effect the public perception towards persons with disabilities. Normalization Too often health care providers and caregivers are quick to overcompensate for a person with a disability by creating specialized classes, events, and unnatural learning environments. Instead, learning should take place through natural opportunities and in real situations. The principle of normalization centers on the fact that individuals with disabilities should be encouraged to live lives that are just like those of peers in the community. For example, caregivers should encourage individuals with disabilities to