What does an Essential Lifestyle Plan (ELP) aim to accomplish?

An Essential Lifestyle Plan (ELP) is specifically designed to help individuals articulate and pursue their personal goals and aspirations, ultimately enhancing their quality of life. The focus of an ELP is on the individual’s preferences, strengths, and needs, ensuring that the strategies developed are tailored to their unique lifestyle choices. This type of planning assists individuals in identifying what is important to them, such as social interactions, daily activities, and support needs, allowing them to take an active role in creating a fulfilling life.

While the other options address important aspects of care and development—such as documenting medical needs, designing a learning curriculum, or assessing communication skills—they do not encompass the holistic and personalized approach that an ELP represents. An ELP integrates various elements of a person's life but centers primarily on fostering the individual’s desired lifestyle, making it a critical tool in person-centered planning.