At MacIntyre, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to Positive Behaviour Support (PBS). Everything we do depends on the wishes and needs of the person and considers the people and environment around that person, and always starts by building trust and a rapport, which you might have seen in a recent article with PBS Lead Valentina Grotto.
When someone shows behaviours of concern, we understand behaviour to be a way of communicating, and whilst the world has generally opened back up post-COVID, we still experience the knock-on impact it has had on people who suffer with anxiety.
Valentina sat down with us to discuss the ways in which we communicate, and how for Martin*, using Easy Read helped him express his emotions and adapt when plans change.
Martin has been with MacIntyre in Oxfordshire for about 10 years, and relies heavily on a set structure and routine. However, when COVID-19 Pandemic struck, Martin was very scared to go outside, and hid himself away in a bubble, as he struggled to cope with the change. Martin relies heavily on plans with no deviation to the plan, and needs to be in control of his environment to feel safe; Outside, there is a lot less control, meaning even going outside can be stressful for him.
Even with one-to-one support, he struggled with overthinking, often questioning the stability of any plans. The inconsistency in messaging about rules and regulations during lockdown added to his anxiety, as he tried to make sense of frequent changes, he felt more isolated.
To address the anxiety Martin faced and to help him cope with change, we looked at using Easy Read – we knew Martin enjoyed reading, and it was a concept which we had previously used which needed a little refinement to support Martin better. The goal was to create clear, straightforward communication tools that Martin could rely on for processing information and managing changes. We recognised the importance of simplicity; overly complex information could lead to confusion and additional anxiety.
1. Consistency is Key: We focused on creating consistent, clear easy reads for Martin, avoiding unnecessary details which could otherwise question the plan and add to his anxiety
2. Practical Applications: Martin and his team used Easy-Reads in various situations, starting small, so they became part of his routine - For example, when changes occurred, the team would write them down in an easy read format that Martin could reference at any time, allowing him to process and accept the new plan more easily.
3. Empowering Independence: Martin gradually regained his independence. Simple outings transformed from daunting tasks to manageable activities, and Martin’s confidence has grown exponentially to also get involved with others.
Over the past 18 months, the transformation in Martin has been remarkable. Easy-read has encouraged and empowered him to make choices—he has explored social situations with less fear, and instead of avoiding activities, he wants to being involved, especially when friends are involved, he has joined in group trips to Cadbury World.
He now chooses to mix activities on the same day, such as swimming and making pancakes, something he would have previously avoided.
Continuing to build on the success of using Easy Reads, the team are now supporting Martin to redirect his responses to challenging situations, promoting understanding and acceptance rather than instinctive reactions. Through consistency and clear communication, Martin is in an environment where he feels he feels empowered and supported in every aspect of his life, and we couldn’t be more proud of him, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.
*Not his real name
