Overview
Hayden is an 11-year-old boy with autism and ADHD. Hayden’s family encountered many challenges in finding care where his needs and requirements are met and where compassion intertwines with expertise. Seeking help from social care proved inadequate in providing tangible support since the school he went to couldn’t meet his needs. Hayden’s parents attended courses to learn strategies to assist the process. Still, physical support for his behaviour was lacking, and things became even more challenging for Hayden, including the whole family.
Reflecting on the Past: The Story of Hayden
Hayden had previously been in a hospital with minimal interaction and support, where he was on a high dose of medication throughout the day and night. The circumstances impacted his behaviour and ability to excel in daily tasks and interact with his family. The malnourishment caused massive deterioration leading to a crisis point where his parents were concerned for his life and future. Those moments brought a parent’s greatest fears, yet the story took a positive turn and hope for Hayden when he needed it the most.
After everything Hayden went through, he was discharged from the hospital due to media coverage of the case, with Jaycee, his mom, sharing the story publicly. Still, he became isolated since his behaviour deteriorated to the point that he couldn’t manage school, and family members that used to look out for him couldn’t manage any longer.
Facing the Challenges
His parents asked for support at the social care service but didn’t have respite care. Meanwhile, the school he used to attend struggled to meet his needs, especially during school holidays when routines change, and every routine break led to behaviour that challenges. Since he was placed in a school that wasn’t appropriate for his needs, he got dysregulated and suspended. The family needed assurance that there would be more investment in their child’s future – to receive the support that would suit him and make him feel safe.
“We (parents) don’t have a chance to look out for our mental health, and that is what’s impacted most. I think it’s the isolation, being able to socialise, feeling trapped, feeling like you can’t help your own child, but yet you can’t get the support you need to enable you to do that. And that feels awful as a parent, for any parent to have to go through, let alone you’re still battling that and having doors shut in your face when you just ask for support so your child can thrive.” – says Jaycee, his mom.
How Meeting Our Support Workers Changed Everything
When Leaf Complex Care’s support workers started supporting Hayden, everything changed for the better.
With the initial 5:1 support package, the support staff got to know Hayden better and developed a strong bond based on trust and great friendship. With an established personalised PBS and care plan that reflects Hayden’s current support needs, the support workers ensured they knew the care plan before supporting Hayden, focusing on the proper care.
Highly trained in managing behaviour that challenges, the support staff understood Hayden’s triggers and how to support him at those moments. Hayden became happier and more social, completing many activities such as swimming, trampolining, bowling, and writing. He visits different parks and landmarks he saw in books and wants to visit them with his support workers. He then goes home, shares the adventure with his parents, and draws pictures of the whole experience.
Hayden had built a positive and trusting relationship with his team, and incidents have massively reduced since onboarding. He has a consistent team who knows Hayden well, significantly impacting every aspect of his life. Due to this positive shift, the support care package has been reduced to 2:1.
His mom adds: “Hayden is happy and can go and choose the activities he wants to do. Hayden has two carers who support him every day. They have built a great relationship with him. They know him very well, almost as well as us as parents. They can see him getting dysregulated before it happens, which often makes the whole difference to the day because it gives him a chance to be supported at the moment and do what he loves the most.”
The Impact of Leaf Complex Care's Support Workers
As his care provider, Leaf Complex Care ensured that Hayden has an extensive network of support from the internal team, such as our PBS practitioners and speech and language therapists, to provide a personalised care plan. Hayden does many new community-based activities, which he enjoys and has been incorporated into his timetable.
“I started working the care package when Hayden was 11 years old. It started 5:1, and now it is 2:1. We worked so hard; it was a long journey to be where we are with Hayden. He used to protest so much in different ways, but knowing your passion for care, we supported him to be who he is today. We don’t see much of the risks happening now.” – says Steven, one of Hayden’s support workers.
The support workers worked with Hayden alongside his family, the local authorities and the educational setting to meet his needs. Hayden began his educational journey with successful regular tutoring for 2 hours daily, providing personalised support. Hayden’s team continuously meet to discuss and review the support plan and ensure they all support the same person-centred and humanised approach.
“Things are going well; we are really happy with how everything is going and more importantly, Hayden is so happy and looks forward to each day. We can’t thank you all enough. Even professionals visiting him are shocked at the difference in him.” – adds Jaycee.
We aim for Hayden to feel safe and supported, have a stable home environment where he can spend time with his family and have his support staff there.
