Positivism in Person-Centered Planning – Holburn

Understanding Excessive Positivism in Person-Centered Planning ​

Steve Holburn

This insightful paper by Steve Holburn and Christine D. Cea explores the concept of excessive positivism within Person-Centered Planning (PCP), a progressive approach designed to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. ​ While positivity is a cornerstone of PCP—encouraging optimism, empowerment, and a focus on strengths—the authors highlight how an overemphasis on positivity can sometimes hinder the process. ​

Through real-world examples, the paper discusses how excessive positivism can lead to unrealistic goals, misinterpretation of failures as successes, dismissal of dissenting perspectives, and biased evaluations of PCP outcomes. ​ These pitfalls can undermine the effectiveness of PCP, leaving individuals and teams disheartened when aspirations go unrealized or challenges are overlooked. ​

The authors emphasize that these issues stem from a misapplication of PCP principles rather than flaws in the approach itself. ​ They offer practical solutions, such as fostering open dialogue about challenges, setting realistic goals, and using both qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate outcomes.

This paper is a must-read for anyone involved in developmental services, offering a balanced perspective on the importance of positivity while cautioning against its overuse. It’s a thoughtful reminder that while dreaming big is essential, grounding those dreams in reality and addressing challenges head-on is key to creating meaningful change. ​ Dive in to learn how to harness the power of positivity without losing sight of the practicalities that make person-centered planning truly transformative.