Respite support for Lee - A year on

Lee, a 21-year-old male had recently been expelled from his education setting due to behaviours of concern. During that time, he had respite support five days a week and for two overnight stays.

It had been an unsettling time for Lee, and his family. During this time the way he expressed himself could be unpredictable and could limit activities and socialising for him.
Lee expresses himself non-verbally. By observing his facial expressions and using a positive behavioural support approach, the respite team quickly learnt to anticipate the reasons and situations that increased Lee’s heightened anxiety or discomfort. Using picture cards and observed his body language enabled the team to build communication and understanding.  They also gave him regular eye contact and talked slowly to ensure enough processing time of what was being said.

The team found that by keeping him in a similar routine to the one he’d had at school, he felt more settled. They also gave him time and respected his personal space when he became agitated and heightened. The team also worked with Certitude’s positive behavioural support colleagues to try different strategies that could help him. Some things worked and others didn’t. The team worked very closely with his mother on a daily basis, giving very detailed handovers at the end of every visit.

A year on, thanks to teamwork, he is so much more happier and calmer. His mum has said how grateful she is for all the hard work that has helped her son reach a happier time in his life. He still visits Haymill two days a week for his overnight stays.