Adam's Story by our Team Leader of Complex Needs
Setting up any service can be a difficult and complex task, but setting up a service with and for an individual with autism is extremely difficult. But that’s what we do, all the time.
When I first met Adam he was displaying various behaviours and was really struggling to find a service for his future. He had always lived at home but as he grew, so too did the complexities of his autistic behaviour. Adam and his family had been trying for some time to find a service that would help to promote his independence but all the ones they tried had failed in this respect. They wanted to avoid Adam being placed into residential care, but this was quickly becoming their only other option.
When I met him, Adam had low self esteem and saw life in a very negative way and although he was attending a college for people with general Learning Disabilities he was struggling because he didn’t fit their criteria. Why? Because something designed for people with general learning disabilities doesn’t work for an individual whose needs are so specific that they require high levels of skill, expertise and abilities to be effective.
Adam’s social worker heard about Candlelight Caring for Autism and contacted us to see if we could help. I went to meet him and carried out a full Assessment and Behaviour Strategy Outline for him, which took into account his specific issues and current environment. The assessment tool I used was specifically designed for individuals with autism.
Setting up a service for someone with autism has some key criteria, one being that you must seek the opinion of the individual and put that at the heart of the service. Adam made the service set-up easier in a way because he told us over a period of time what he actually wanted, both now and in the future.
While some of these things would take time to achieve and were more aspirational, we addressed each item in turn and looked at possible timescales. By involving as many professionals and family members as possible we also gained a full overview of what type of service would best support Adam.
Throughout the process, it was made clear that Adam was always at the centre and by using a person-centred planning approach we discussed, developed and agreed a very pro-active and thorough plan, making sure every task was detailed and had achievable timescales.
Behind the scenes we worked out an 8 week transition plan which started while he was still at the college. The transition plan included visits by me to the college and the family which enabled me to build a relationship with Adam and learn want he wanted as in individual. From this I was able to identify his needs and wishes and assist with behaviour management.
There was also a great deal of other work to be done as well; staff training, arranging finance packages, attending Behaviour Strategy meetings etc. All the work put into the service set-up was realised about 4 months after the initial assessment and I believe the key to the subsequent success of Adam’s service was a well-executed transition strategy and prior preparation.
All the pre-planning that was put into setting up the service has been paid back tenfold and it is wonderful to see Adam now attending activities and doing voluntary work. He follows a structured weekly activity plan which he has chosen himself and as a result his confidence has grown immensely. He is learning to manage his behaviours and emotions in a positive manner, with his goals for life now appearing more achievable. I am not saying that we don’t have issues, but when problems arise, we just deal with them one at a time, look at each situation, assess it and address it.
We have proved that there is no problem that can’t be addressed and nothing is impossible. We have learnt that hope is not a strategy and we remember that there is only one standard of care, which is that of excellence.
Thanks go to Adam and his family who have been so supportive. They have made this task a positive experience for us all.
Corinne Pearce
Team Leader
Complex Needs
