Amit’s journey to greater independence at Priory Mountain View
Amit* is a 20 year old gentlemen with a learning disability, ADHD and is on the autism spectrum. He is non-verbal, communicates with his own form of Makaton and would sometimes display challenging behaviours.
His family were struggling to find a suitable placement for him for a long time, as they were concerned his needs could not be fully met. Then they visited Mountain View, and we turned out to be the full package and a successful placement for him.
Initially, Amit would not allow anyone to cut his nails or his hair and he found this sort of thing quite distressing. Over the course of a year, Mountain View staff worked with Amit consistently, using social stories, games and objects of reference to support Amit with cutting his hair. He now allows this much more regularly than when he first moved to Mountain View. Amit also allows staff to cut his nails and although it’s not always a 100% ‘yes’ all the time, he has shown great improvement around these areas.
Before arriving at Mountain View Amit had no domestic skills, but now he is independently putting his washing in the machine and can turn it on with the support of staff. He also understands the importance of putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher or sink, and can independently shower with just prompts and gestures from staff.
Furthermore, Amit arrived to us with a limited diet, and would only initially drink out of a sip cup beaker, but he is now drinking out of cups and glasses which is great for a healthy fluid intake, and gives a full range of nutritious food, a chance, which he likes to pick out himself.
Positive steps
Now staff get to enjoy lots of leisure activities with Amit, and support him on mountain walks as this is one of Amit’s favourite things to do. He has also undertaken many more activities such as ‘pedal power’, walks along the beachfront, swimming, and he has even taken an interest in basketball hoops.
Our biggest achievement is that Mountain View staff have now supported Amit to successfully transfer into full time college, getting him used to new environments and ensuring he is an active part of his school community.
*Name and images changed to protect identity