Active Support

Module 4: Graded Assistance

In this session we will cover:

This module will take around 30 minutes to complete. At the end, you will be required to complete a short, comprehensive quiz.

Graded Assistance is giving just the right amount and right type of support to enable a person to succeed.

Take a moment to watch this video by La Trobe University and Greystanes Disability Services that explains how Graded Assistance is used.

When using Graded Assistance, we understand that:

Each task is different and the amount of our support will depend on the person, the type of activity or social interactions people are engaged in
Different ways of supporting don’t all give the same help, e.g. telling someone to turn the tap on is less support than guiding their hand to turn it on
We need to recognise the different types of supports and adjust the amount of support to assist with the success/completion of the activity
We need to invite the person to try and encourage the person to try more for themselves
We need to ask about goals, what does the person want to achieve?

Take a moment to watch the video and see what examples of Graded Assistance you can spot.

Verbal (communication, verbal cues/spoken, instructions)
Visual (providing visual cues like getting things out of cupboards, setting the scene)
Signs and gestures (using hands and face to communicate what needs to be done)
Showing (doing the same activity next to a person)
Physical (direct or indirect physical support to achieve activity)
Adaptive equipment (using equipment that assists the person to achieve an activity).

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