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Challenging Behaviour & Autism

By Kaya Ismail No CommentsPosted in BlogTags: ,

Stepping Out know all about Challenging Behaviour & Autism. Over the years, we have had a variety of Autistic service users receive support via our semi independent living projects. We offer specific targeted Autism care in Hertfordshire, North London & surrounding areas, as well as support to those diagnosed under the Autistic Spectrum Disorder and or who have severe traits of Asperger’s Syndrome.

Individuals with Autism who display what are referred to as ‘challenging behaviours’, are known to be among the most vulnerable in society. We continue to see families struggling daily with the enormous demands of managing such behaviours in the home – often to breaking point. We see staff in schools and care services struggling to manage, and vulnerable individuals frequently excluded. How can we combat this?

Despite growing evidence of harm certain medicines incur, we continue to see young people prescribed powerful drugs to mask the effects of pain, their personality or their attempts to communicate. We see restrictive physical interventions, punitive sanctions and the physical and emotional abuse of people who are already suffering huge levels of stress and anxiety. Additionally they may be placed far away from their homes- often at a high financial cost and for very long periods of time. But does it have to be like this?

If we can ascertain the route of challenging behaviour, we can earn to overcome it. Instead of masking it with medicine or punishment, we can apply constructive measures to produce positive outcomes for carers and the Autistic person.

Previously, we publish an article titled, ‘7 ways to communicate with an Autistic young person’. We feel that the points we outlined here are a great foundation to overcoming challenging behaviour in Autistic individuals.

As care providers, we feel the obligation to inform others that Autism can be a complex issue which affects each person in a unique way. Careful assessment of each individual makes it easier to tailor an action plan of support to minimize challenging behaviour.

So our number one tip for Autism Care is to ever forget that you are dealing with an individual with feelings, emotions, wants and needs. Too often we see Autistic people seen as a disorder rather than a person.

Do you have views on Challenging Behaviour & Autism? Leave a comment below. Alternatively, visit our Autism Care page.

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Autism Care in Hertfordshire

By Kaya Ismail No CommentsPosted in BlogTags: , , ,

Stepping Out offer specific targeted Autism care in Hertfordshire as well as support to those diagnosed under the Autistic Spectrum Disorder and or who have severe traits of Asperger’s Syndrome.

We ensure that our staff are trained to the highest standard, and are assisting our Autistic clients throughout every moment of the day. High levels of interaction have proven to help our Autistic clients improve their life skills at a faster rate.

Our 24-hour staffed semi independent living projects are suitable for those whom require well-structured living options with strict boundaries. Our projects offer 24 hour on site staff in order to ensure close and regular supervision.

Our Autistic Care in Hertfordshire provisions are set up to provide a small group living environment in order to provide a homely setting. The small groups allow the service users to receive targeted support and close supervision, eliminating the issues of lack of engagement whilst ensuring the client does not feel overwhelmed and or crowded.

Stepping Out aim to offer our Autistic service users:

  • Life Skills Development
  • Goal Setting & Regular Meetings to improve service & interaction
  • General Counselling
  • Community Access & Support
  • Education & Training

To find out more information on our expansive Autism care in north london services, please visit our Autism care page.

To conclude, Stepping out aim to provide the highest quality Autism care in Hertfodrshire, via well-structured risk assessments that incorporate strict boundaries and produce positive measurable outcomes, Stepping Out are able to offer vulnerable people the opportunity to improve their quality of life and enable them to achieve greater independence.

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Autism & Semi Independent Living

By Kaya Ismail No CommentsPosted in BlogTags: , , ,

Stepping Out specialises in accommodating and supporting clients with Autism. We pride ourselves on supporting such service users to become less challenging and more constructive via our semi independent living projects for Autism and our specific outreach support services.

Stepping Out have bee providing Semi Independent Living for Autistic clients throughout London, Hertfordshire and surrounding areas for a number of years.

Our semi independent living projects for Autism are ideal for those whom display challenging behaviour, Sexually Harmful Behaviour, Drug & alcohol abuse, sexualised behaviour, MAPPA cases, self-harm, suicidal tendencies, learning disabilities, Autism and other high support need conditions.

Our 24-hour semi independent provisions for Autism are usually gender and age specific, and each project specialises with accommodating and supporting different client groups, for optimum success. We ensure our placements are safe, homely and have a high probability of producing positive outcomes for all service users. Stepping Out strive to ensure that they provide the best Semi Independent Living In London & Hertfordshire.

 

Throughout years of experience, Stepping Out has formed a three-point plan aimed at combating challenging behavior, and promoting progress in semi indpeendent living environments. Based on years of experience, we’ve compiled a 3 point plan to combat challenging behaviour and promote productivity, and eventually independence.

1. Listen & Learn.

Depending on the service user’s condition, they may have difficulty expressing themselves. This can often be mistaken for challenging behaviour, when really all they want is time to voice their opinion over a matter. In time like these, it is best to sit down somewhere quietly with the service user, and listen to their concerns and issues. Once you have done this, changes can be made in the future to better suit the service user’s needs, thus causing less challenging behaviour. Often a safe place to talk is all they require.

2. Respect their privacy & individuality.

A care worker needs to distinguish good care practise and invasion of privacy. Caring for a service user does not necessarily mean you have to crowd them, and many care workers seem to forget this. You can ensure their safety and promote good practises such as cleaning and cooking without being imposing. Depending on how much care the service user needs, the carer must also allocate time for the service user to have some alone time.

3. Set weekly goals.

Goals lasting longer than a week can often be daunting. The service user can also lose sight of the goal, and begin to forget about its existence. Setting weekly goals allows the service user to by-pass these obstacles. The goals could be to save a certain amount of money, to cook 3 meals independently, and so on. Not only will achieving these goals improve self-esteem, but giving the service user something to concentrate on will also alleviate challenging behaviour.

All the above points will undoubtedly reduce the amount of challenging behaviour the Autistic service user displays to staff and other service users around them. Why not put them into practise and see?

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Fragile X Syndrome: How Stepping Out Can Help

By Kaya Ismail No CommentsPosted in BlogTags: , ,

Fragile X syndrome, Martin–Bell syndrome, or Escalante’s syndrome – is a genetic syndrome that is the most widespread single-gene cause of autism and inherited mental retardation among boys. It results in a spectrum of intellectual disabilities, ranging from mild to severe. Fragile X Syndrome also results in physical characteristics such as an elongated face, large or protruding ears, and large testes. Additionally, behavioral characteristics such as stereotypical movements, including hand-flapping/biting. Social Anxiety is also a major effect.

Fragile X syndrome is the leading known genetic cause of autism, accounting for about 5% of cases.Of those with fragile X syndrome, the rate of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been estimated to be between 15 and 60%.

http://www.childrensimmunisation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Autism.jpg

What are the Symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome?

  • Delay in crawling, walking, or twisting
  • Hand clapping and/or hand biting
  • Hyperactive and/or impulsive behavior
  • Mental retardation
  • Speech and language delay
  • Tendency to avoid eye contact

Physical signs of Fragile X Syndrome may also include:

  • Flat feet
  • Flexible joints and low muscle tone
  • Enlarged Testes
  • Large body size
  • Large forehead or ears with a prominent jaw
  • Long face
  • Soft skin

How Can Stepping Out Help those with Fragile X Syndrome?

Stepping Out offer Autism & Fragile X Syndrome specific care & support to those diagnosed under the Autistic Spectrum Disorder or with Fragile X Syndrome, via specialist 24-hour semi independent living projects.

We ensure that our staff are trained to the highest standard, and are assisting our Autistic clients throughout every moment of the day. High levels of interaction have proven to help our Autistic clients improve their life skills at a faster rate.

Our 24-hour staffed semi independent living projects are suitable for those whom require well-structured living options with strict boundaries. Our projects offer 24 hour on site staff in order to ensure close and regular supervision.

Our 24 hour provisons are Fragile X Syndrome targeted, are set up to provide a small group living environment in order to provide a homely setting. The small groups allow the service users to receive targeted support and close supervision, eliminating the issues of lack of engagement whilst ensuring the client does not feel overwhelmed and or crowded.

To find out more information on our expansive Autism & Fragile X Syndrome care services, please visit our Autism care page.

 

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Autism Care In North London

By Kaya Ismail No CommentsPosted in BlogTags: , ,

Stepping Out offer specific targeted Autism care & support to those diagnosed under the Autistic Spectrum Disorder and or who have severe traits of Asperger’s Syndrome.

We ensure that our staff are trained to the highest standard, and are assisting our Autistic clients throughout every moment of the day. High levels of interaction have proven to help our Autistic clients improve their life skills at a faster rate.

Our 24-hour staffed semi independent living projects are suitable for those whom require well-structured living options with strict boundaries. Our projects offer 24 hour on site staff in order to ensure close and regular supervision.

Our Autistic Care in North London provisions are set up to provide a small group living environment in order to provide a homely setting. The small groups allow the service users to receive targeted support and close supervision, eliminating the issues of lack of engagement whilst ensuring the client does not feel overwhelmed and or crowded.

http://www.stepping-out.org/images/autistic-spectrum-disorder-1.jpg

Stepping Out aim to offer our Autistic service users:

  • Life Skills Development
  • Goal Setting & Regular Meetings to improve service & interaction
  • General Counselling
  • Community Access & Support
  • Education & Training

To find out more information on our expansive Autism care in north london services, please visit our Autism care page.

To conclude, Stepping out aim to provide the highest quality Autism care in north london, via well-structured risk assessments that incorporate strict boundaries and produce positive measurable outcomes, Stepping Out are able to offer vulnerable people the opportunity to improve their quality of life and enable them to achieve greater independence.

Read more