Can people who have autism show gratitude? There are lots of studies about people with autism having differences in functioning with regard to imagination, comprehension and seeing things from another’s point of view. In fact, the word ‘autism’ comes from the Greek word ‘autos’, meaning ‘self’.

I supported a man in his twenties in a residential care home; he lived alongside 11 other people.The man was unable to communicate verbally – his communication was limited to one signing gesture – rapidly tapping his hand to his chin to indicate ‘yes’ ‘no’and ‘now’; facial expressions of smiles and grimaces and rocking from side to side (the speed of which would indicate calm or agitated). This man was known for his impatience. He would become uptight if things were not in the order he required, this restlessness often over-spilling into frantic pushing into (or through) other people.

One of the ladies in the home would talk incessantly about this man, yet her chatter never appeared to stress him. She always wanted to know where he was, what he was doing and if they could do things together. The man showed little emotion towards her in return; just appearing to tolerate the constant noise of her nattering.

Over the period of a year the lady’s health rapidly deteriorated. Although she was only in her twenties she lost the skills she had and eventually even her talking stopped. She spent more time in bed, unable to talk, walk and communicate - other than the messages her eyes sent to those who knew her well. It was noted that the man would visit her room, barging in, unaware of the concept of privacy, just looking at her, whilst rocking in a calm manner from side to side.

Eventually the lady fell asleep. Her passing was peaceful.

We agreed it was best that the other people living in the home went out, so that her family could spend some final, undisturbed time with her. As the staff team sorted out the impromptu day-trip, I called the man to one side. Disregarding the assumptions of dis-ability I discussed with him what had happened to his friend, using straight language as to enable as much understanding as possible. I asked him if he would like to go to her room to say goodbye in person. He tapped his hand to his chin and impatiently walked to the door to get to the homes’ minibus. I figured perhaps the trip out was more important to him.

The following morning as we sat down for breakfast, the man showed no signs of grief. He seemed the same as ever. He impatiently grabbed at his cup of tea and then pushed past the person next to him to reach for the teapot. He reached further over and grabbed my cup. I was about to intervene, thinking he was going to drink the dregs left in the bottom, but something stopped me. I watched with amazement as he picked up my cup, filled both my cup and his own with tea, and then pushed the full cup back in front of me. He’d poured me a drink.

I smiled, said thank you and drank the sweetest cup of tea ever.

I have always remembered this funny, impatient and pushy man with fondness. It was only the once that I witnessed him obviously doing something for someone else and I believe this was his way of saying ‘thank you’ for treating him with respect in a difficult time. Outwardly he never showed any signs of bereavement, but in his own way he gave a clear message of gratitude.

To understand how to communicate with respect with people with autism contact www.promotetraining.com – Understanding autism (and associatedconditions)

Every person is different. This course is different. This course has flexibility in mind, so that when you attend this one day workshop with Promote Training, you will gain a greater understanding of autism and associated conditions and how this can affect different people in different ways.

You will learn practical solutions derived from effective ‘hands on’ work and proven methods, that will vastly improve the relationships and quality of life for both those people who have autism and those around them.

By attending this course, you will learn the very best ways to support the person with autism, you will gain invaluable skills that you can immediately apply to support the person with their communication and interactive differences and support them to gain skills in more flexible thinking in a safe and secure way.

You will find that this course goes over and beyond typical training. You will complete the day with a new and creative culture that will enhance your practice, skills and knowledge.

Contact us for further details...  Email: info@promotetraining.com   Tel: 01884 242362

Article written by Chrissie Trow (January 2012)

There is a myth that people with autism cannot cope with change. This ‘catch all’ phrase is often used within services for people with autism, and sometimes this becomes an expectation that is created by the staff – a situation where ‘my attitude affects my behaviour which affects your attitude affecting your behaviour’.

One person that I supported had a weekend holiday booked to Paris. On the morning of their departure the staff supporting her came to the office and asked for her passport (normally kept safe with her paperwork). We searched and searched, but couldn’t find the passport. This meant telling the lady and consequently upsetting the planned routine of the holiday as she had come to expect it. We eventually found the passport, but not before the plans had been severely disrupted. The lady and her supporting staff member missed their train.

They managed to catch the next train, leaving them short of time, but just managed to get to the Channel Tunnel on time. At this point Customs decided to search the lady’s handbag.

They got to Paris without any further problems. That evening they decided to go for a walk and explore the surrounding area. They both became a little disorientated and lost their way back to the hotel. In fact it took them about an hour of walking in circles before they found their hotel.

The following day they decided to do what holiday makers do and see some sights. They began with the Eiffel Tower, getting the lift up to the second floor. However, just before the platform the lift became stuck. They were now in a small cramped, crowded and noisy area waiting to be rescued. It took over half an hour for the lift door to be opened, with all the occupants having to step up to get out. To add insult to injury they then had to get down the Eiffel Tower by the steps – all 674 back to the first level and then as the lady refused to get the lift back to the bottom, they had to walk the further 347 steps back to the ground.

The next day, in order to play things safely, the staff member and the lady decided to get a tour bus to see the rest of the Parisian sights. Being unused to the traffic of the city, this was an ambitious challenge. And in keeping with the rest of the weekend, this too bought with it another test for the lady. The bus had a collision with another vehicle and they had to wait for a second bus to take them back to their base.

Thankfully the final morning and travel was without major incident.

On their safe return to the residential home, the staff member filled me in on their hapless holiday. She adamantly stated she would not be available to take the lady away again. I sympathised (in best ad hoc supervision style) and questioned just how many incident reports she would need to complete.

The staff member looked at me incredulously and told me that there had been no incidents, the lady had been composed throughout all of the trials that she had faced and other than natural irritation she had kept her cool and accepted each ordeal without any of the agitation that we have had to deal with on a daily basis.

I asked her why then was she so resolute in not supporting the lady on another holiday, when she had so obviously coped extraordinarily well with all of the change. The staff member agreed, she had managed well, but what she could not handle was the repetitive communication that she had had to continually listen to, with no chance of abating that had occurred once the lady realised that the maid in the hotel had been into her room and slightly, just slightly, moved the position of her flannel on the sink!

Understanding how change can affect people with autism is complex. But this isn’t change per se. For example, many people will say that unfamiliar staffing hasn’t resulted in the incidents that were expected. To understand how people with autism can cope with some changes, but not others, contact www.promotetraining.com – Understanding autism (and associated conditions)

This course is different. This course has flexibility in mind, so that when you attend this one day workshop with Promote Training, you will gain a greater understanding of autism and associated conditions and how this can affect different people indifferent ways.

You will learn practical solutions derived from effective ‘hands on’ work and proven methods, that will vastly improve the relationships and quality of life for both those people who have autism and those around them.

By attending this course, you will learn the very best ways to support the person with autism,you will gain invaluable skills that you can immediately apply to support the person with their communication and interactive differences and support them to gain skills in more flexible thinking in a safe and secure way.

You will find that this course goes over and beyond typical training. You will complete the day with a new and creative culture that will enhance your practice, skills andknowledge.

Contact us forfurther details...  Email: info@promotetraining.com   Tel: 01884 242362

A care worker was physically attacked by a patient suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, resulting in severe injuries to her wrist and psychological symptoms. Her successful claim against her previous employer resulted in over £220,000 compensation for her injuries, suffering and associated losses.

Failure to Assess Risk

During 2006 Mrs. B was grabbed by a male patient and restrained by her left wrist, which was twisted during the struggle. Liability was strongly disputed by her employer. However Croftons maintained that her employer was negligent by failing to make suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their employee, particularly the risks posed by the patient and judgment was entered in favour of the claimant in 2008.

Jeff Palmer, the Crofton’s Partner acting for Mrs B said “The major psychological impact of the assault was largely agreed by both parties, but there continued to be a serious disagreement about the cause of the physical injuries to our client. The Defendant’s medical expert expressed the opinion that Mrs B’s wrist problems were due to a rare congenital abnormality, even though she had been completely symptom-free until the assault".

Finally both parties agreed it would be best to instruct a mediator to help resolve the claim, and in early 2010 settlement was agreed.

Source: NFPS Ltd