Storyteller Support

Take a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point. If you sell something, use this space to describe it in detail and tell us why we should make a purchase. Tap into your creativity. You’ve got this.

Before we dive into the Story training framework, it’s important to complete additional training to ensure we are the best prepared we can be to work with individuals with ID/CN.

The following guidance on supported decision making practices will ensure you frame your practice in a way that best supports the needs and wants of a person with ID/CN.

 

Supported Decision Making

Supported decision making is underpinned through knowledge of the following:

My Beliefs

These can be discovered through an entry process whether in person or written questionnaire for support network to complete

Know Me

To get to know who I am you will need to ask questions, observe me in a 1:1 mentoring or group session, spend time with me.

Questions could include:

Do I enjoy telling and/or listening to stories?

What types of stories do I enjoy?

Do I require support to communicate? If so, what type of support? Is it a specific communication partner, an application on iPad, a specific communication device etc..

My Supporter Group

Get to know my support network without overriding me and my decision-making processes.

Ensure there is no talking about me in third person whilst I am sitting or standing next to you.

Considerations for an organisation I might be interested in engaging with

If I am interested in sharing my stories in community, I will require:

An accessible toilet

Ramp and front doorbell I can reach

My support worker to accompany me

Knowledge of ACROD parking bays very close by

Easy read – whether I require or not

For my receptive language I need to use Easi English.

For my reading, it is important for me to use COMPIC – Pictures with Words

For my expression I will use my iPad with an application such as proloquo2go

My communication preferences

What kind of environment do you require to achieve your best outcomes?

Please describe how you communicate

Support me

Support my story decisions

 What these steps mean?

Understand me and my preferences as a Storyteller / Writer

  • Read through intake questions and answers

  • Read through any notes from other mentors or story trainers

  • Check with Coordinator or appropriate support team member if any questions

  • Offer a variety of prompts to get to understand Storyteller’s preferences

  • Record responses to each

  • Update Storyteller’s notes accordingly

Present one decision at a time for me to step through Storytelling / Writing process

Use colour/s to prompt stories Draw ideas and present a sample piece of paper for artist to experiment with colour.

Use sound and music to prompt stories.

Try movement games and take turns leading. Increase leadership time for the artist you are supporting with them eventually leading whole process.

Experiment with one decision and present choices to the artist you support. Build on this process with each decision. The artist will get used to the ‘game’ and embed this ‘game’ into your everyday processes.

Make sure the right artistic collaborators and mentors are involved. Consider the mentors/collaborators thoroughly before recommending:

Are they NDIS compliant?

Does their practice align with the Storyteller’s goals to create stories in genres of interest?

Speak to other Storytellers and Writers who have collaborated with this person.

Did they have a positive experience?

Did this collaborator make space for them?

Did they allow them to lead the process?

When collaborating, did they understand supported decision making?

Are they a solo artist or are they used to collaborating?

Understand how I communicate and the support I require to tell and write a story

Check with my support network to find out how best to support me with:

decision making,

communication,

personal care amongst other things.

With communication, check with Coordinator

Schedule / plan workshops and mentoring experiences to support me to explore choices

Set up studio space/s with materials and experiences to support my learning and story development style

Use materials that provide sensory feedback such as packaging, textured fabrics and other materials to inspire my stories

Create visual cues for each activity

Support/understand that it's up to me to make decisions about my Stories

Make time for the decision maker to make their decisions

Create schedule of workshops or mentoring over lengthier period of time

Make sure you listen to the Storyteller

Respond and make sure you have understood their decision correctly

Support me to explore all options related to my Stories

If a Storyteller is scared of choices available to them, encourage gently but don’t force them to try something. They may try when they’re ready and have seen others

Talk through all options/choices. Create a visual map of choices. Find the best way for artist to really make the decision/s they’re faced with

Know it's okay for me to change my mind about my Stories and how I wish to share them

It may take a while to make a decision but if a Storyteller wants to change their mind, how wonderful that they understand and enjoy the fact they can make their own decisions.

WE change our minds so it’s okay for the Storyteller you’re working with to do so

Run through previous day’s decisions at beginning of each day to ensure Storyteller is satisfied with them. Write them down, draw them, whatever works for the Storyteller’s communication preferences.

Assume I can make my own story decisions!

Never think a decision is too difficult or above the ability of the Storyteller you support/collaborate with.