Overview
Mitch is a vibrant young man who loves bowling, swimming, and visiting museums. He’s also autistic and lives with a learning disability and cerebral palsy. Mitch communicates differently, and has faced challenges with behaviours of concern, which significantly impacted his quality of life.
Leaf Complex Care has supported Mitch for over three years. His care is guided by a robust, person-centred plan tailored to his unique needs and preferences.
The Story of Mitch
Mitch enjoys spending time engaged in various meaningful and fulfilling activities. His interests include bowling, walking in parks, visiting museums, and swimming. He’s faced many challenges throughout life, including Grice subtalar fusion surgery on his ankles, affecting his mobility. Mitch also experiences behavioural challenges and, in the past, found it difficult to talk about his actions.
When we first met Mitch, the initial assessment was thorough, with the team working closely with Mitch’s mother and other care professionals to evaluate his well-being, living environment, and behavioural challenges. Our in-house Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) specialist and multidisciplinary therapy team helped identify the underlying cause of Mitch’s behaviour; alongside his mother, they co-created a personalised care plan to help Mitch improve his well-being and reduce his behaviours of concern.
Facing the Challenges
Mitch’s behavioural challenges required a compassionate approach from the start The primary goal was to teach Mitch new skills to help him manage his behaviours, with his dedicated support workers providing daily assistance. We aimed to help Mitch improve his overall quality of life and feel empowered in his choices. For instance, when we began supporting Mitch, he was taking medication for constipation, which was a significant challenge. The team adopted a holistic approach, focusing on his diet rather than relying on medication. By preparing healthy and nutritious meals, they were able to completely eliminate the need for his medication, a huge milestone in Mitch’s care.
The Impact of Meeting Mitch’s Needs
This shift towards holistic interventions significantly improved Mitch’s overall well-being. Regular team meetings and communication with Mitch’s mother ensured that the care plan remained on track, with a focus on Mitch’s long-term physical and mental health. His support workers advocate for him in discussions and ensure his needs are continuously met.
When Mitch’s PBS plan was due for review, the team reached out to the in-house multidisciplinary therapy team to update the plan, ensuring it continued to meet Mitch’s needs. This close collaboration has been vital in reducing Mitch’s behaviours of concern and maintaining a consistent approach to his care.
Mitch is now in a much better place—happier, more settled, and content with his life. He enjoys living in his home and has formed strong connections with his support workers, who have consistently been by his side.
How Positive Risk-Taking Transformed Mitch’s Daily Routine
Positive risk-taking has played an essential role in Mitch’s journey. His care team is committed to helping Mitch experience a good quality of life, and this involves taking calculated risks that promote personal growth and fulfilment. One example is Mitch’s love for trains. During the transition period from his previous care provider, the team learned that Mitch enjoyed watching trains from a distance, usually from the comfort of a car. His support workers saw this as an opportunity to enrich his experience.
After conducting a risk assessment and planning for his safety, they asked Mitch if he would like to ride a train. Mitch’s positive response was heartwarming, and the outing was a great success. Not only did Mitch enjoy the ride, but the experience of using escalators and lifts also helped him remain calm and focused. This kind of positive risk-taking continued to shape Mitch’s life. Another example involved bathing. The previous care plan recommended that Mitch bathe twice weekly, but the team realised that a daily bath could improve his well-being. Although initially challenging, Mitch now enjoys daily baths, which have become an important part of his schedule. He feels calm and settled after bathing, which has become a routine he follows naturally.
How the Right Support Enables Positive Outcomes
One significant milestone in Mitch’s journey was his transition to his own home last year. Previously, Mitch lived in shared accommodation, which was not conducive to his well-being and often triggered behaviours of concern. His move to a more independent living arrangement, supported by two care workers, has significantly reduced these behaviours. Mitch has become more comfortable and settled in his new home, where his needs are met and his autonomy is respected.
Mitch now responds positively when approached with guidance. If he is involved in something unbeneficial to his well-being, a gentle prompt to reconsider his choices usually helps gain his cooperation. This marks a significant improvement from the past when such attempts would often upset him.
He lives a fulfilling and meaningful life, surrounded by a team dedicated to his well-being and personal growth. Leaf Complex Care is proud to support Mitch on his journey, helping him achieve a higher quality of life through positive risk-taking and person-centred care.
