Overview
Ashanti is a 16-year-old girl experiencing autism, learning difficulties and a global developmental delay. She lives with her mother, Liz, and has a beloved older brother, Prince. Ashanti enjoys attending school and has a vibrant personality. To help Ashanti reduce her behaviours of concern and improve her overall well-being, she receives tailored, person-centred support from Leaf Complex Care.
This case study highlights Ashanti’s journey, the path to reducing behavioural challenges, and the positive outcomes achieved through holistic support.
The Story of Ashanti
Ashanti’s family has always been a significant part of her life. She shares a strong bond with her brother, Prince and treasures spending quality time with her family, who have been pivotal in her journey. Her interests include listening to music, playing on her iPad, taking leisurely walks, and going swimming. Ashanti has a love for cooking and is enthusiastic about participating in household tasks. She finds joy and a sense of accomplishment in tidying up, doing laundry, and using the dishwasher. Despite facing substantial challenges, Ashanti is a vibrant young girl with many passions and a spirited approach to life.
‘’We started first working with Ashanti while she was on respite (care). We had challenges at first when we started, but as we got to know her and she was getting to know us, she was more engaging. We remember we took Ashanti for a walk on a narrow road, and a bus was coming in. She didn’t know much about the risk when she was in the community. She would just jump on the road, and we tended to build that step by step, like ‘You need to stop now, Ashanti, and you need to check first’, and she started to trust us.’’ – say Bea and Yvan, Ashanti’s support workers
Facing the Challenges
Ashanti’s journey has been deeply challenging for both her and her family. Liz, a single parent, has faced considerable difficulties, especially with limited family support in the UK since all her family members live in Zimbabwe.
Ashanti experienced behavioural and social challenges that made interacting with others difficult. She often felt anxious in social settings, especially in crowded spaces or when surrounded by many people. Ashanti also experienced difficulty adapting to routine changes and managing risks, such as crossing the road safely. Social interactions with friends and extended family were often limited because Ashanti needed consistent, dedicated support. The family’s social life was difficult to maintain as Liz constantly worried about Ashanti’s behaviour of concern in social settings.
‘’We do regular visits to Ashanti, but also to the staff team. We monitor the kind of support that they’re providing. But, also, we spend time with Ashanti just to make sure that nothing’s changed since when we wrote the care plan at the beginning. Obviously, we look we use the information regarding incidents or any IBCs to then progress our care plan further, and to reduce the risk.’’ – says Cara Turner, Assistant Registered Manager, Birmingham
When Leaf Complex Care initially started working with Ashanti and her family, the goal was to improve her independence, increase her well-being, and reduce behaviours of concern. Her support workers, Bea and Yvan, were dedicated to helping Ashanti enhance her quality of life while also providing Liz with the opportunity to take some personal time for herself.
How Meeting the Right Support Enables Positive Outcomes
Over the years, there has been a significant reduction in Ashanti’s behaviours of concern. Initially, behaviours of concern occurred weekly, but now they only happen once every couple of months, generally triggered by changes in the weather. The consistent support has played a key role in the improvement, helping Ashanti feel more settled.
Leaf Complex Care has also supported Ashanti in participating in community activities. She now enjoys visiting the local sensory room, swimming, and even visiting the zoo. One of the most significant milestones was Ashanti’s successful trip to Dubai with her family, an experience that had a positive impact on everyone involved.
‘’Recently we went to Dubai. We stayed at the Palm Jumeirah, and we were there for about 9 days, and she was very calm. I was very, very surprised about it, but it’s because her brother was there, and she had so much fun. We went to the Dubai Mall and went to visit Abu Dhabi, which was very far, and it was very hot. She didn’t like the weather, but she really enjoyed herself because her big brother was there. She had a great time, and then we went on the safari. She loved it.’’ – says Liz, her mother
Her support workers helped Ashanti improve her quality of life and enjoy new experiences, such as the family’s recent holiday to Dubai. During this trip, Ashanti was calm and enjoyed activities like visiting the Dubai Mall, exploring Abu Dhabi, and going on a safari, all while bonding with Prince.
The Impact of Meeting Ashanti’s Needs
Ashanti’s overall quality of life and well-being has substantially improved. She is a happier person and is more confident in her abilities. She is a very independent young woman, capable of cooking, bathing and going to school by herself. Ashanti’s routine is now well-established, and behaviours of concern only arise when it is disrupted. Her support workers are crucial in helping her develop strict routines and maintain her well-being.
Liz reflects on the improvements, noting how Ashanti’s behaviour of concern has significantly decreased:
‘‘Once she got the right support in the community, she has improved so much. Before, we never used to go places like the park, and since she has been getting support from Leaf Complex Care, she is able to go in the community and able to go places like swimming and sensory rooms where there are other children. And yeah, she has improved a lot.’’
Regular visits from support workers and ongoing monitoring have ensured that Ashanti’s needs are consistently met and that the care plan is adapted as necessary. The support has allowed Liz to have downtime and focus on other aspects of life, including her social connections.
‘’We do regular visits to Ashanti, but also to the staff team. We monitor, you know, the kind of support that they’re providing. But, also, we spend time with Ashanti just to make sure that nothing’s changed since when we wrote the care plan at the beginning. Obviously, we look and we use the information regarding incidents or any IBCs to then progress our care plan further to reduce the risk.’’ – says Sarah Clifford, the Senior Registered Manager of Leaf Complex Care in Birmingham
Ashanti is making remarkable progress and becoming more engaged in the community. She has developed the confidence to go shopping, select her items, and interact with staff. The strong bond she has formed with her entire support team, including Bea and Yvan, has helped her develop independence and autonomy.
Looking ahead, the goal is to continue supporting Ashanti’s well-being. As she continues her education, the hope is that she will one day have her own place and continue to thrive in the community. With the right support, Ashanti can achieve her dreams and live a life that matters to her.
