Compiling an
‘All about me’
profile
Significant ‘S’ words to remember:
Scribe: That
is your main role in compiling this profile.
This MUST be done as if you are your young persons interpreter,
(e.g. as if they have dictated it then you write it from
THEIR experiences or perspective).
If they are ‘pre-verbal’, remember that you
know your young person better than anyone else. (Be confident!!!)
Get others who know your young person really well to help
you!!!
If they can describe their own experiences, use those words.
Include them, even if they feel awkward, or are grammatically
incorrect, etc.
Symbols: If your young person uses symbols/imagery in their
communication, include them too. Photographs are a fantastic
way of illustrating
points as well.
Signposts/signals: List things such as quirky behaviours,
known triggers for ‘unwelcome’ behaviours, the name of
the impairment, medical conditions/treatments if appropriate.
State the implications for your young person. E.g. ‘I may
feel tired’, or ‘ I will climb the walls if I drink
Ribena’, etc.
Scenario or story: A great way of getting a point across,
or describing something of importance to our young people.
E.g.
how our young person may react under pressure or extremely
happy etc.
Sandwiches: Always start and end a section with
a positive point especially if it feels that you need to say
more
negative points & explanations
in order to help your young person to be understood. If you can
write it were you are ‘sandwiching’ every point,
that’s even better!!!
Strengths: Talk about these
as much as you can, breaking them down into tiny stages
to emphasis
these strengths. Describe successes!!!
Support: Describe the ways in which your young
person can be helped, however insignificant they may seem. (These
may be
actions that you do without even thinking about it… so carry a
note book around for a whole 7 days, noting how you handle situations,
reinforce & reward times when your young person really
pleases you, etc)
Sensory sensitivities: If your young person has
any issues regarding sensory sensitivities, include them. Describe
your young persons
reactions and how to resolve/remove them. (E.g. Bright
sunlight & wearing
a cap).
Sympathy: Don’t even go there!!! Be positive
with all that you can. Be factual with the rest. (E.g. showing
that
you are
aware of these issues, but can develop ways of supporting
your young person, etc)
Set a deadline: Don’t dwell on it forever; set a realistic
deadline for completion. Get it done. (You can and will probably
need to rewrite it at some stage anyway, so don’t
worry about forgetting something).
Send it out as far as you can! Share it and show
to all that come into contact with your young person. Don’t forget
to distribute it to your family, school staff, social services,
e.g. link workers/befrienders/respite carers etc, health care
professionals, G.P’s, other students, school taxi/transport,
out of school/leisure activities, neighbours, all places/people
that you visit regularly, (or visit you!!!) This is a useful
tool for when your child is in a ‘stage of transition’,
e.g. nursery to primary school/ primary to secondary…and
beyond, etc.
Sharon Scoffings
