The job will involve working partly in the home and also taking me out and about.
In the home, it would involve engaging me in creative activities, encouraging interaction, and providing general personal care (e.g., pad changing). You would also encourage some sort of routine with creativity.
Outdoors, activities may include nice walks, swimming (eventually), taking me to the park, playing games outdoors, visiting the train station, watching the world go by, bus rides, going to the Zoo, or other activities (by mutual agreement). Typically, you would be with another adult (or another adult would be readily available) when taking me out. The post will require a DBS check.
The kind of person I am looking for:
You would preferably be a car driver with experience working with an adult or child with special needs. You would be reliable, punctual, patient, and calm.
Although it is preferable to have experience working with people with autism, during the first few weeks, there would be some shadowing with my parents while you create a bond with me, so you would have the opportunity to develop some of that knowledge. My parents will be on hand initially to assist and are always contactable to help.
I am a non-verbal, nearly 9-year-old severely autistic boy. I enjoy being out and about on foot or on my balance bike, and I will normally be on reins for my protection. I also enjoy swimming. I am under-sensitive to motion, so I enjoy spinning on roundabouts or sitting on swings. I also enjoy watching traffic and visiting old churches. In the house, I enjoy using my iPad, watching certain Cbeebies programmes on BBC iPlayer, with current favourites including Twirlywoos and Grace's Amazing Machines. I also enjoy exploring books and toys in a sensory fashion. Although I am beginning to vocalise some words of particular significance to me, I mostly communicate by alternate communication methods such as gestures, sign language, and picture exchange cards.
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