engleski

Person-Centered Planning and Support for People with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities

Person-centered planning of support as an approach to people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities is based on the social model and principles of inclusion. Usually, it is implemented through community- based support services. In this paper, a review of scientific research and evidence-based knowledge about their key characteristics are presented, as well the research on the influence to individual in reaching desired future goals. In order to achieve that, it is necessary to create a network of support according to the individual's needs, wishes and expectations, unique life circumstances, and priorities. This contemporary model of support has emerged as a critical upgrading of institutional segregation, and medical-oriented individual programming in rehabilitation and social care. It is a dynamic interactive process in which, together with employed staff and experts, family and other important members from the natural life circle of an individual with disability take an equally engaging role in a team. In that process, based on the principle of self-determination and self- advocacy, the focus person is an active participant. This approach was successfully developed internationally over the past few decades. It has been only recently implemented in Croatia, primarily within the process of transformation and deinstitutionalization of the social care system. Existing research in this field proves the efficiency of this approach when considering the improvement of the quality of support, as well as the expected life outcomes for individuals and their families. In Croatia, we still face challenges when ensuring the basic requirements for the implementation of person-centered planning in social care and support system for the most vulnerable members of society who definitely deserve a higher level of responsibility and priority to ensure dignified life conditions and equal opportunities.

Person-centered Planning, Quality of Life, Intellectual Disabilities, Developmental Disabilities

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