Kate has autism and finds expressing her thoughts and feelings difficult. When staff tried to talk to Kate about her day, how she was feeling and most importantly if she was happy living in her new home, Kate would often answer, ‘yep’ ‘nope’ ‘ok’ and ‘maybe’. As you can imagine this proved somewhat challenging. As a team we worked through the facilitation skills. When we got to creative, we struggled as this was “not as easy” as others like eye contact.
I had a restless night’s sleep trying to think of a different way things that might work for Kate. Then it woke me: I had it! I couldn’t wait to get to work to try it out.
The following morning I got into work early. I knew Kate would be up and her house mate would be in bed, this was the perfect time. Kate’s main interests are games, Disney characters and films. My idea covered all of these. I introduced it as a game, I explained the rules to Kate and how it would work and ensured she felt comfortable. I let her know she could stop at any point. Every part of me was crossed in the hope that it would work.
This game was a take on the film ‘Frozen’. I was Anna and Kate was Elsa.
Kate sat by the closed door holding Elsa, I sat the other side of the door with Anna. This was so Kate could not read my facial expressions. I had observed this often made Kate anxious, and she would try to change what she was saying in fear she was “getting it wrong”, or upsetting someone. I knocked on the door, as they do in the film, and sang I know you’re in there….
Kate answered, Hello Anna
I replied hello Elsa, how are you?
Lo and behold Elsa (Kate) was talking, expressing her feelings in a worry free environment. The whole situation overwhelmed me. I could not believe a game could be so powerful. Kate is now able to communicate in a way that makes sense to her. Kate thanked me after, and gave me a hug, a sign of relief I guess?
I left feeling pure job satisfaction and thought; this is why I do my job!
This game has changed so much in Kate’s life; she is able to talk with staff and her family without feeling stressed or with the fear of causing disappointment to others.
Jemma Earey
Head of Service
Bedfordshire Supported Living