Applied Video Analysis (AVA)
AVA is a data-driven, strengths-based training tool for caregivers and the individuals they support. Its primary purpose is to enhance caregivers' abilities to effectively support individuals through connection, companionship, and co-regulation.
The methodology involves the co-production, careful editing and shared review of videos to showcase optimal support techniques.
By focusing on the quality and strengths of the relational dialogue, AVA aims to improve overall quality of life for both parties.
AVA puts the person and their relationships at the centre of all goal setting. By doing so, it seeks to safeguard autistic and learning disabled individuals from outdated, coercive and controlling practices.
About
Applied Video Analysis (AVA) is based on the Circle of Support model (Forest, Snow & Pearpoint, 1994). Put very simply, AVA is a guided process whereby the person at the centre collaborates with their circle of friends to build a library of video resources evidencing how that person likes to be supported. It aims to help parents address one of the their biggest worries: “What will happen to my child when I am gone?” AVA helps ensure that agreed ways of supporting are clear for all to see and that a library of Good Enough Videos is available to help introduce new caregivers to agreed ways of supporting the person.
Caregivers joining the Circle of Support complete some basic introductory training (three Cycles of awareness training, including three shared video review sessions over three months).
Thereafter, on a three-monthly basis, the caregiver works with the person at the centre to produce videos from a typical morning, afternoon or evening together. The caregiver self-reflects and edits their own videos for Supervision. (Videos not selected for supervision are automatically deleted after ninety days.) The Supervisor is usually a parent or a Lead Practitioner who knows the caregiver and the person at the centre well. Videos selected for supervision purposes must only include what the caregiver feels safe enough to share... usually these will be examples of meal preparation, playing games together, routines, events etc. Obviously, in the event of a safeguarding concern, administrators have access to all of the caregivers' video library but otherwise, control of the data must rest in the hands of the caregiver.
AVA is a strength's based tool ... shaming, belittling or overcorrection of those in the Circle of Support is contrary to the spirit of gentleness the tool was devised for. However, there is also provision for instances when the supported person and/or the caregiver feel the need to share examples of co-regulation breaking down, i.e. where one or both parties have become dysregulated.
Videos evidencing gentle, respectful and trauma-informed responses to life's more frustrating and threatening moments can be most useful for the person at the centre.
Good Enough Videos are added to the person's personal, secure online person-centred toolkit (e.g. Multi Me) but only with the expressed approval of the caregiver. Once a video has been added to the person's online toolkit, it remains in perpetuity even if the caregiver who co-produced the original video leaves the Circle of Support. Prior to that, however, the caregiver retains all rights to videos they co-produce and all data that has not been added to the online toolkit is erased after ninety days.
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