Oh my word – what a jam-packed month! The weather started to improve and our residents made the most of it!.. here’s what they got up to!
Adam
Adam has been enjoying the break from the rain in the local park, taking time to relax with a drink and a packet of crisps in the walled garden. He also visited an old favourite, East Dean with Aravindh, where he had a hot chocolate which he told her was ‘like a hug in a mug.’ Adam managed to fit in a visit to Eastbourne as well, for another favourite, fish and chips in the sunshine.
Aisling
Aisling loves being by the sea and went to Bexhill again this month and walked along the front. Our residents enjoy lots of trips to the seaside – you can read about their visits here and find out what makes them so rewarding for adults with autism.
Ellie
Ellie also made a couple of visits to the seaside… she went to Eastbourne beach and had fun throwing stones in the sea before walking along the front… after a paddle of course! Even though the day was sunny, the water was still a little chilly!
Ellie loves spending time outside in the sunshine, and our gardens at Jemini allow our residents to enjoy the outdoors in a safe environment. It’s the ideal space to engage in parachute play, which allows our residents to develop teamwork skills. Working together to move the parachute and fill it with air, has the added benefit of helping coordination and motor skills, which are further developed through balancing beanbags, toys and balls on top!
For those who have difficulty gripping the handles, our support team are on hand, to help them to enjoy the activity.
Ellie has settled in really well at Jemini and made it her home – you can read about her time with us in our blog.
Harry
May also saw another cycle ride for Harry, this time with Amanda.
Learning to ride a bike is not only a lifetime skill, it improves fitness and helps build confidence for adults with autism. That’s why we’re delighted that Wheels for All, is right on our doorstep, in Eastbourne. This nationally recognised initiative works alongside the charity Cycling Projects, embracing adults and children with disabilities and differing needs. Cycles are specially adapted, so everyone can join in the fun, or as WFA says, ‘experience the feeling of freedom, the breeze on their face, and the sense of achievement that comes with inclusive cycling.’
Harry as always, made time for his arts and crafts, learning to mix colours and to use different tools to create patterns. As adults with autism are visual thinkers, art is the perfect medium for them to express themselves.
Imran
Imran celebrated his birthday this month. He opened his presents in his chillout room, sat in the massage chair he got last year. Birthdays can be a challenging time for adults with autism, the attention can be overwhelming, the presents, the birthday cake, the change from any other day can be unsettling… that’s why we celebrate in the way that each individual resident wants to… and if that means not celebrating at all, then that’s what we’ll do.
Imran’s choice was to spend time in the comfort and familiarity of his own safe space, quietly, where he could open his presents at his own pace, taking the time to look at them individually, stopping when he wanted to. We ensured he had the support he needed from the people he felt most comfortable with, enabling him to enjoy his day, which is always our goal.
Michael
Chelsea and Michael took the bus to Princes Park where they walked around the lake. Riding a bus can cause sensory overload though to adults with autism. Too many people, too much noise and there can be a lot of adjustments that residents may face, routes could change, or buses get stuck in traffic… that’s why it’s important to build up to journeys. We work out the quietest times of day to travel, visit the bus stops several times before the trip to familiarise residents with the surroundings and to watch the buses arrive and leave. Some of our residents choose to wear headphones to help reduce noise levels or take something familiar with them to help them to stay calm and reduce stress, Aisling for instance, finds taking a book with her wherever she goes helpful.
Sam
It was a busy month for birthdays 😊, as Sam celebrated his birthday too, and he went home to spend time with his family. You can read all about Sam’s Journey since coming to Jemini, how he has adapted and what he’s been up to…
Sam decided to go and play mini golf at Treasure Island’s Pirate Adventure Golf as a birthday treat. It has 18 pirate-themed holes which take you over and under bridges and through caves, which he absolutely loved.
Another one of Sam’s favourite occupations, is going to the cinema… this month he went to see Kung Fu Panda 4. Cinemas can be a daunting place for adults with autism, that’s why we choose quieter times of the day to visit, sometimes going to autism-friendly viewings for those residents who need a bit more space. We take ear defenders for those who find the noise unsettling, and we speak to the ushers, or go to the film ourselves beforehand, to see when the loud parts are, so we know what to expect.
The National Autistic Society has a very useful guide for visiting cinemas for those looking for more information 😊
Sammy
Sammy meanwhile spent a lovely sunny afternoon at Pembury Park on the tyre swing. They’re excellent for working on balance as well as eye-hand coordination… and above all, they’re good fun!
Stephen
Stephen had a busy month, he caught the train down to Brighton for the day, went on the Victorian Volks Railway, played in the arcades, had lunch and walked along the seafront!… he fitted such a lot into one day, that we’ll tell you all about his trip in another blog! (Link to follow).
Back at home, Stephen had a sensory session with Chelsea. These sessions provide a calming and therapeutic effect and we’re very lucky at Jemini to have a number of dedicated sensory rooms to ensure all our residents have access to an area where they can relax, both physically and mentally.
Stephen has also been cooking, he successfully made a chocolate mug cake, which he finished off with icing and sprinkles. Baking not only involves multiple senses, it also helps to develop fine motor skills. Measuring, pouring, mixing, decorating… all help hand-eye coordination and the sense of satisfaction achieved on finishing a recipe and creating something to eat, is one thing that can’t be measured!
Tom
Tom visited the car wash this month, to give his car a good clean. He was able to use the jet hose, and, with help, cleaned the wheels, lights, grill… all of which is excellent for coordination. The car wash itself brings together a lot of sensory experiences… sound, sight, touch… all very different and ones that take some getting used to… and Tom managed to adapt to them all.
What a month May was – our residents enjoyed life to the full… can’t wait to see what they get up to next month!