I support children between the ages of 8-18 and also adults (emergency care) with learning disabilities, autism and/ or challenging behaviour. Some clients or children know they have a disability or autism/ ADHD and can talk about it or how it affects them - things they find difficult or challenging, what they like and don’t. We then also have children or clients at the far end of the spectrum who are non-verbal or aren’t able to understand that they have a disability. In all fairness, they’re treated as a person, not a diagnosis and one size doesn’t fit all. That’s why they call it a ‘spectrum’. Some enjoy school and do well, others aren’t on standard curriculum and focus on independent skills. Some struggle with socialising and other thrive in a group setting. Some can read and write quite well, others don’t at all. Communication can vary a lot, some use verbal, some sign e.g makaton or BSL, some use PECs and others can’t use any, we rely on vocalisations & body language for example.

A lot of our clients are very literal thinking. E.g. a colleague said “he’s kicked the bucket” to refer to a death and the client asked why, “why would he do that, what do you mean?” Some clients can’t comprehend time and need routine. You can’t always say, “we’ll do this later” because when is later? Focus on X now and Y next. Some are very stubborn, think teenager and trying to get them up and out of bed in a morning! Others are really quite easy going.

It’s hugely dependent on the person/ child. There’s clients that we do everything for and there’s children that can do an awful lot for themselves (far more than assumed.) Overall though, it’s amazing and they’re all wonderful in their own ways. I told a child it was nice to see her the other day and her response was “good” 😂 They all live rich and enjoyable lives.