Carole asked Hayley, using her preferred method of communication, if she would like to go to the garden centre and get some plants to pot for her Mum. Hayley, who is always keen to go out, clapped her hands and signed "yes please", so off they went and made their purchases. The next day they would pot the plants.
I observed Carole and Hayley get the pot, plants and compost together before the planting began. Hayley was most excited when they both put on their aprons; she clapped her hands and laughed as Carole explained every step of the way. Carole opened the bag of compost, lifted out a handful and put it in the pot. She then encouraged Hayley to do the same. This is when the expression on Hayley's face changed and her hands shot under the table!
During the activity you could hear and feel the warmth and trust between Hayley and Carole and although Hayley does not use speech, there was non stop communication between the two.
What a great activity with Great Interactions...and clean hands for some!
Vivien Morgan
Senior Support Worker
Montfort Fields