Setting Vision and Goals with Pictability

In 2015, Plumtree Learning launched a series of evidence-based programmes backed up by a Theory of Change to document the research on enhancing capability through participation [see tinyurl.com/participatory-theory-of-change]

Pictability

Pictability™ is a unique and creative way for families to set a vision for a positive and attainable future. It was co-designed with families using informed research from Positive Psychology, Family Centred Practice (the gold standard in early childhood intervention) and Gamification principles.

Pictability visuals were co-designed with families to build capacity and inspire wellbeing and flourishing (Adler & Seligman, 2016), and they were informed by evidence about how parents used Individualised Funding to achieve their goals (Mahmic & Janson, 2018). The tool includes multiple cards and boards designed to support parents expanding on ideas to create deeper and more meaningful (i.e., developmental, social, learning) children goals as well as family and personal goals for themselves. Research has shown that planning sessions rarely include family and personal goals for parents, yet these form the foundations for the parent and family supporting the child in a sustainable manner.

Why use ‘gamification’?

A Pictability session involves replacing a planning conversation, which parents often find challenging with a playful game structure to plan. Our research (see below) shows that this playful situation is highly rated by parents and professionals alike who report that the goals formulated during such session are more authentic and engaging than goals formulated during a planning conversation. This is because of the engaging nature of the visuals that allow participants to connect with aspirations even when these are not fully consciously formulated.

During the Pictability session, participants learn to:

· Create a positive vision for their child, their families and themselves as parents

· Coach their child to use Pictability to make choices about how to work on goals

· Prioritise goals and start working on them by amplifying the child voice

· Receive valuable take home resources, including their own personal Pictability™ kit

· Connect with other parents on a similar journey.

Participants first experience Pictability planning personally so that they can coach their child with this experience later. During the remainder of the training, participants learn about the theoretical background of this approach, unpack each of the below activities, workshop them and discuss their initial facilitation experiences in small groups.

B. Formulate a long term vision for their child, their families and themselves by:

• Selecting other images to represent these 3 types of goals

• Assembling and formulating these long-term aspirational goals on a ‘Vision Board’.

C. Draft a plan for action that can be started right after the Pictability session by:

• Selecting one goal per category – Child Goal, Family Goal and Personal Goal,

• Formulating first steps to achieve each goal, and

• Assembling these short-term goals onto an engaging ‘Action Board’, clearly delineating focus and action points

• Placing all other remaining goals into the ‘Goals to Action’ envelope.

We have developed a version of Pictability based on the same visioning and planning processes as the above, but with visuals and language appropriate for youth. As youth prepare to transition out of high school, the citizenship framework is powerful because it extends the concept of Inclusion. We are all citizens - we have both rights and responsibilities.

Pictability Youth is based on Simon Duffy's Keys to Citizenship concepts, about how we can achieve citizenship in practice, in the context of people with disability. Citizenship is a funny word - and it can have several meanings - but it is a useful word, because it can be used to describe how human beings can live together - with justice and mutual respect. In the video below, Dr. Duffy describes what Citizenship means in this framework:

Our experience with Pictability

· Over 1000 parents have used Pictability to set goals for their child, family and themselves and plan for the outcomes that they want.

· Over 350 Allied health professionals and educators have been trained to facilitate Pictability with families:

· 271 from 7 organisations in NSW

· 30 in Canada

· 20 in Finland

· 30 in New Zealand

· 90.25% of professionals responded affirmatively to planning to use Pictability with families. 81% of NSW professionals said Pictability ‘puts parents back in the driver seat’ (2019 results).

· Academic papers on the above have been presented at conferences and are being submitted to peer-reviewed journals.