At Active Care Group, World Autism Acceptance Month is a chance for our services to support, understand and empower the individuals we support.
Throughout April, we have participated in various activities to promote autism awareness.
Here are examples of how two of our services – Conifer Lodge and Willowmead – made this month meaningful.
Conifer Lodge: A Celebration of Creativity and Inclusivity
At Conifer Lodge, our residential service for adults with autism and learning disabilities in Cambridgeshire, art therapy plays a central role in engaging individuals with autism.
The creative process offers the individuals we support a meaningful way to express their emotions, improve communication skills, and enhance their well-being.
Colleagues worked with the individuals we support to create a miniature village. The activity involved designing houses, cutting templates from cardboard with staff support, and decorating the houses according to each individual’s preferences. The finished piece was a beautiful landscape of unique, hand-decorated houses that reflected each person’s individuality.
Each individual enthusiastically engaged in the design process, using their creativity to express themselves and showcase their imagination.
Supporting Individuals with Autism: A Thoughtful Approach to Everyday Activities
The team at Conifer Lodge are aware of the sensory overload and potential stressors that can arise when the individuals we support engage in everyday activities such as shopping. Colleagues work closely with each individual to ensure they are supported through every step, respecting their needs and preferences.
This month, the team worked with an individual to help him establish a routine for a shopping trip that helps reduce his anxiety and ensures he feels in control.
The individual knows his shopping day happens simultaneously every week, providing structure and predictability. By planning trips when the store is less crowded and offering reassurances, colleagues can help the individual we support feel more comfortable. The team also provide support with the shopping list and offer guidance when he becomes distracted by social interactions with strangers.
Despite challenges such as sensory overload and the difficulty of expressing emotions, the individual we support has been able to enjoy his shopping trips with support from the team.
After completing his shopping, he can unwind in the café, relaxing and reflecting on his accomplishments, with staff ensuring he feels calm and secure.
Willowmead: Autism Through Art
At Willowmead, our supported living service in Surrey, the individuals we support took part in a thought-provoking session where they were asked to draw what autism looks and feels like to them.
This simple yet powerful exercise allowed everyone to communicate their experiences and emotions through art. The individuals we support shared their unique perspectives and helped raise the team’s awareness of what autism means to them.
Whether through creative art activities, thoughtful support during everyday tasks like shopping, or encouraging people to express their unique perspectives, we strive to make each day a positive experience for the individuals we support.
Discover more about our adult and learning disabilities services here.
