‘Lou’ (not her real name) is a resident at one of our homes. Here she describes her typical day and the key role Cornerstone plays in her day-to-day life. (Lou has Autism, Learning Disabilities and Adhd.
We thank her parents for their consent to tell her story).
“My day will normally start quite early when I will wake up and come looking for
my keys. I love keys. Holding them, playing with them. They comfort me. My keys are plastic so I do not hurt myself as I have a tendency to stick real ones in my eyes and ears.
Once I have my keys, I’ll go back to my room and either play with them or sleep. At 7am, two staff members usually knock on my door and bring me a drink. I will also start my personal care routine. Why two people? Let me explain. Because of my disabilities I am very energetic and am always on the move. I cannot tell if I am in danger. If I see something I want, I just go and get it. And as I am also very strong, I can be a handful.
I normally stay in my room until 8am. At this point I will help my staff members
to put my clean clothes away and help to chose what I want to wear for the day (unless it is a school day when I wear a uniform).
Next I shower. I have learned to help to wash myself. Afterwards, I will go with
my staff to help make my breakfast (I am getting good at this). I will then sit
at the table to eat while having my hair brushed (it’s done at this time because
I don’t like it being brushed).
One of my carers will help me to eat because I rush my food. I will have two
mouthfuls, put my spoon down and the staff will count to six while I am eating.
I also have the tendency to regurgitate my food. This could because I like it or
it could be one of my behaviours. While showering and eating my keys are given to my staff as not to distract me.
I will then go and wash my face, brush my teeth and change my top for school. I will then wait in the lounge until my taxi arrives (I get excited when my taxi
arrives as my taxi driver is really nice) when me and one of my staff will go to
school (I have an escort as I am unable to travel alone).
Once at school I will go to my class and give my keys to my staff and get
different ones from school as a transition. My staff will give a handover to my staff at school and then they will leave.
At school I do an applied behaviour analyst programme. This involves doing a
task followed by a reward. This helps me concentrate better. One of my evening staff will come to collect me at 3.45pm. We swap keys and I return to where I’ll enjoy a snack and a drink.
Depending on the day, I will do an evening activity. This will happen either
before or after dinner. Waiting for dinner or anything really is a big issue for
me and I can become very vocal and distressed if I have to wait too long.
Sometimes I will bite my hand.
I continue to do the applied behaviour analyst in the evening. This helps me
communicate my needs better. I will also do my personal care programme again in the evening. I do like to spend time in my room watching TV so I may want to do this as well.
Normally I have a wash or shower about 8pm and then go and make my supper at 8.30pm. I will then have some relaxing time before going to bed. This could be watching a video or playing in the sensory room. Sometimes if I am really tried, I will take myself to bed before it’s time. If not, I will go to bed at 9pm and give my keys to my staff. They will sit outside my room until I settle. When I wake, I’ll want my keys again.”
