Client: Mr A

Services: Homecare and respite care at home

Greenleaf have been supporting Mr A, who has Autism. On referral Mr A was experiencing selective mutism due to his anxiety levels and was transitioning from childhood to adulthood.

Mr A wanted support to build his confidence and independence in social settings as he wanted to attend college and build a social network. Greenleaf provided an enabler, once they had spent a few sessions together building a rapport, they established short term targets in order for him to achieve his long term goals. Mr A began attending various activities in his community and with support and encouragement he began communicating more and developing a rapport with some of his peers, with his enabler needing to support him less and less.

Alongside this the enabler began a strategy to assist Mr A overcome his anxiety around using public transport, with Mr A catching buses and learning specific routes again to increase confidence in this area. Over a 12 month period Mr A has progressed and is now able to access the community with his friends and enjoy leisure activities. He has begun a college course which he is able to catch a bus to and from independently having practiced the route with his enabler.

The support he now receives has been reduced in line with his reduced needs and he is living a happier and more independent lifestyle.

Testimonial from Mr A

Before I had a support worker, I didn’t do much in my life. I was mostly an indoors person, and I was very nervous being around other people. These days I have support and I have been able to go to places and do activities like: Tennis, bowling, fishing, cooking, and watching a firework display. All of which I have enjoyed. I also work in classes with other students now, and while I still get nervous at times, I do feel that I have more self- confidence and will get better over time. It’s all thanks to my support worker and everyone else that took their time to help me. I really appreciate it! In the future I’d just like to get a job and have some good friends to hang out with, and maybe even travel to places which I haven’t been to before.

Testimonial from Support Worker

It’s great to see such a positive change in Mr A. With support from Greenleaf, Mr A has been able to access lots activities in his community, continued to engage in his education and has started to develop his self-esteem and confidence.