Working With People with an I/DD Reflections

Reflections Exercise

Choice & Control

How am I supporting HOPE residents to have meaningful choice and real control in their daily lives—and how do my actions either expand or limit those opportunities?

Purpose of reflection:
To help the HOPE Team notice how everyday decisions, routines, and communication practices either support or restrict a resident’s autonomy. Examples: Adjusting routines so they fit the resident’s schedule, not the HOPE Team’s convenience, or noticing when a resident can complete some or all of the task with support, and not automatically completing tasks for a resident because it is faster.  Impact: The resident could feel a reduced sense of control over their own lives. For some residents, predictability is very important.

Impact & Outcomes

How do my actions—big and small—shape a resident’s quality of life, sense of safety, belonging, and independence in a HOPE Home?

Purpose of reflection:
To help the HOPE Team understand that their choices affect emotional, social, and long-term outcomes, even in routine or behind-the-scenes work. Examples: Recognizing that rushing through tasks may unintentionally communicate that their choices or pace don’t matter, or not preparing residents thoroughly about possible maintenance workers who may be visiting their site.  Impact: the resident may feel unsafe in their own home, and trust in the HOPE Team may decrease.