Offering support

[kagz]

I currently work with people who have Learning disabilities & Autism and have done for 12yrs,if I can offer any support I will do

[Hidden]

I have 18 year old son who is non verbal autism. He has just started tracing the alphabet and now likes drawing. He likes colouring in. But he gets bored - wondering what to do with him .. At college he has done cooking, gardening, jewellery making, anglo saxon study - PEC based and he does yoga and dance.

[Hello1959 in reply to Hidden]

Is there a local gardening project he could join. My son goes to a charity gardening centre catering for special needs and loves it there . He takes his own PA but they have volunteers there as well to look after them as well as paid workers .

[kagz in reply to Hidden]

Does your son use makaton as I have been using this, with one of my clients who is non verbal its amazing way of communication

[Sarah_Mencap]

Thanks kaz. It is lovely to have you here. Do you have any tips about how to encourage people with, and without, learning disabilities to exercise and stay fit? It's Learning Disability Week at the moment and sport and inclusion is the main theme. We are keen to share good practice

[kagz in reply to Sarah_Mencap]

I would suggest swimming as one of the activities if interested, as many people who are on the spectrum dont like interaction ,find it difficult socially I feel this would be great

[kagz in reply to kagz]

Also I find picture cards are a great way of communication showing something that is visual ,as in this is what we are going to try,put it on a calendar the date,possibly visiting the swimming centre first hand seeing when the quiter times are ect.The key is preparation giving people with autism, special needs plenty of notice using visual aids if the person responds well with that way of communication, also discos are a great exercise were people can Express themselves this seems quite popular with many of my clients.

[Sarah_Mencap in reply to kagz]

Thanks you for sharing these ideas. Discos seem so be very popular at the moment. I think people like that idea that no one is looking at them, and it is a bit darker.

[kagz in reply to Sarah_Mencap]

Yes I do to because they can be themselves, & express themselves through music and consentrate on just that, instead of the others things that go round in their head

[Shue Community friend in reply to kagz]

Hi, re the picture cards. I made some for my son when he was at primary school so he could express how he was feeling. Smiley face, sad face, angry face etc. He carried them everywhere on a neck chain, it gave him so much reasurance. He still carries them around to this day, he's almost 27 now.

[kagz in reply to Shue]

They are a great idea picture cards, quite a few of my clients use them in work and fir expressing themselves I've just done a Makaton course which was really good so that will Aid me for Deaf,non verbal,Autism & I'm teaching my 5 yr old too.

[Shue Community friend in reply to kagz]

Hi, the Makaton is brilliant and stays with you always. I know I shouldn't but if someone upsets or annoys me I give them the pig sign, they haven't got a clue😂

[kagz in reply to Shue]

Haha,its really good

[Edge30]

Hi need some help I have 4 older kids all with learning disabilities 3 have efcp but 2 of them are 21&20 still at home and the 21 she has efcp think is I don't get any help or money for them don't know what to do or where to go with it kind regards Steph

[kagz in reply to Edge30]

Do you have a social worker for your children?

[Edge30 in reply to kagz]

No

[Hidden in reply to Edge30]

Hello Steph, nice to meet you 👋🏻 Did you know that if your children are still in education up to 25 years they are entitled to an EHCP? (This includes home education) I’m not sure of the legal side but if you contacted the SEN officer at your County Council they may have some advice for you?

I know that Mencap has local support groups around the country. Have you tried getting in touch? mencap.org.uk/advice-and-su...

Please do let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

TTT

[Edge30 in reply to Hidden]

Hi sorry not been on here much I have been ill I have pah 3 of my children have a efcp

[Edge30]

No

[kagz]

I feel maybe you need to see gp or social services on getting one ,social service can help it's just that people are afraid of these sometimes , things can be offered to you as in rest bite and help you manage day to day,and thinking ahead there is supported living which is a option also to promote independence which is the key here I work with people with learning disabilities and which some of my clients are living in supported living and thrive & are working with support which is what I do,dont br afraid to ask for help,hope this helps😊