I’m currently revising my NDIS goals and could use some advice. I have level 3 autism, and my report highlights that I engage better socially when I’m doing activities rather than just hanging out. I initially wrote a goal like, “I aim to engage more socially through enjoyable activities,” which fits with my personal experience and what’s documented about my social interactions.
But I’ve been doing some reading and noticed a trend towards broader goals. For example, one I saw was about “enhancing overall positivity and enjoyment in life,” which could potentially include my need for structured social activities but also give me some leeway on days when I’m feeling overwhelmed and prefer less interaction.
Do you think it’s better to have a goal that’s tightly aligned with specific aspects of my diagnosis, or should I go for something wider that allows for more flexibility? How direct should the connection be between my goals and my autism? I’m trying to figure out if a broader goal might be more beneficial long-term.
Thanks for any insights or experiences you can share!
Hi Lucas,
That’s quite a thoughtful approach to goal setting. I’ve found that while specific goals are great for targeted supports, broader goals can indeed provide the flexibility to adapt to varying needs, especially with something as dynamic as social interactions. Why not frame your goal to capture both elements? Something like, “I want to enhance my social interactions through enjoyable and varied activities that respect my comfort levels.”
Thanks for the quick feedback, Michael. I like the idea of integrating both specificity and flexibility. Incorporating my comfort levels into the goal could really help in tailoring the supports to what I can handle daily. I’ll work on tweaking my goal to reflect this balance.
Lucas, it’s great to see you’re taking such a balanced approach. Definitely discuss these refined goals with your NDIS planner or a support coordinator. They can help ensure that your goals not only align with NDIS funding criteria but also truly reflect and support your needs. Remember, the clarity of your goals can greatly influence the supports you receive.
I have an appointment next week with my coordinator and will bring these revised goals to the discussion. It’s reassuring to hear that this method could effectively influence the support I receive. Thanks again for your guidance!