Ellie has had an extremely busy month, with trips to Raystede Animal Sanctuary, Shoreham Harbour and Hastings Aquarium.
Animals can play a significant role in supporting adults with autism. Interacting with animals can provide emotional comfort, reduce anxiety, and improve social skills, offering a calming and therapeutic experience for individuals on the autism spectrum. These interactions are an important part of enhancing well-being and creating meaningful moments for our residents.
Read more about our residents’ trips to Raystede
The power of bouncing!
Harry has spent time outside this month, enjoying the last of the warmer days, relaxing on the trampoline.
Trampolines can be highly beneficial for the development of sensory, motor and physical skills. The rhythmic bouncing helps improve balance, coordination, and body awareness, while also providing sensory stimulation that can be calming for individuals with sensory processing challenges. Additionally, trampolining supports physical fitness by building strength and cardiovascular endurance.
Jumping can also help release pent-up feelings for individuals who may struggle with managing stress and anxiety. The repetitive motion of bouncing can have a calming effect, offering a healthy outlet for emotional release while promoting relaxation and reducing tension. This makes trampolining not only beneficial for physical development but also for emotional well-being.
Harry has also been preparing for Halloween, first he made pumpkin collage and then, with a little bit of help, went on to carve his own pumpkin, as he does each year.
Here’s Harry with Corrie carving last year’s creation
“… they’re really thriving at life, building life skills and doing the things that they want to do”
Sam helping in the garden and having a hot chocolate in the café – Stephen filling up the car
A visit from the Optician…
This month, we had a visit from the optician, Imran was up first, then Ellie! We’re so fortunate that On the Go Eyecare comes to our homes to conduct eye tests for our residents in an environment where they feel comfortable and at ease.
Adults with learning disabilities are more likely to experience vision problems but may find it difficult to communicate these issues. That’s why it’s essential that our residents receive the care and attention they need from professionals who are trained to identify and address such concerns, ensuring their comfort and well-being are fully supported.
Further reading…
The National Autistic Society has a really useful guide for parents and families on going to the opticians and how to prepare, and the charity SeeAbility also has tips on what to expect.