Son Of Downpatrick Family Gains Independence

A Downpatrtick family is delighted at the local occupational therapy team for helping autistic son to become independent

A young man (26) in Downpatrick who has autism is now living independently from his family thanks to the support from the support of the South Eastern Trust’s Occupational Therapy Team for helping him to achieve greater independence in his day-to-day life from his family.

Anne-Marie Kelly shared how her son Conor, now 26, was diagnosed with Autism at two and a half years old. From an early age, 

Conor developed an aversion to the weather, especially a sensitivity to the wind and sound of heavy rain against his upstairs bedroom window at night.

Anne-Marie said: “Because of the weather in our country, it had a real impact on family life. Conor could not tolerate the sound of the rain on his bedroom window, this had a real impact on our family, as he could not sleep and would move from the bed to the floor throughout the night.

“Because he wasn’t sleeping, he would be too tired to attend his day care setting, and would not come downstairs. It was a very stressful time for everyone.”

Anne-Marie explained how the family engaged with the Trust’s Occupational Therapy Team to promote Conor’s independence, reduce his isolation and encourage a positive consistent daily routine.

She said: “Working with the Occupational Team was a real positive for us, for the family. We worked closely with Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapists, Karen Mahood and Ursula McCloskey from the Team and an adaptation for a downstairs bedroom for Conor was agreed.

“Karen pointed out things like sound proofing the room, making sure Conor had an ensuite and disability shower. All of this made a real difference.

“Conor has now taken ownership of his room, it is his. He really enjoys his time in his room and with sleeping, getting that rest he now goes to day care four days a week.”

“The Occupational Therapy Team have been absolutely brilliant. We, as a family, know that they are at the end of the phone for us. They have Conor’s best interest at heart, it has been such a steady, positive process for us.”

South Eastern Trust, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist, Karen Mahood commented how the modification of creating a downstairs bedroom for Conor, saying: “Has enabled him to engage in his day-to-day activities.”

“As an Occupational Therapist, we understand the importance of the environment and how it can hinder or enable a Service User.

“Adaptations do not just focus solely on the physical needs, but also on the cognitive and sensory needs of a person.

“For Conor, any adaptation recommendations ensured that consideration was given around reducing the sound of the rain and the wind to support Conor to feel safe and secure in his own home and the positive impact and outcomes for Conor.

“Environmental adaptation can be an efficient and least restrictive means of reducing the impact of sensory challenges.

“Rather than attempting to change the person, the intervention focused on modifying the sensory demands within Conor’s environment to create conditions that supported regulation, safety and participation.”

Karen added: “When we reviewed the adaptation, the downstairs bedroom for Conor, we could really get a sense of how he has taken ownership of his space, sleeps better, takes less anxiety medication, is involved in many more day to day activities and has significantly more interaction with family members than before.

“Seeing the difference the adaptation has made for Conor and his family gives the Team a real sense of why we do our job, especially when we see how well the adaptation has worked for Conor and for his family.”