This week is Learning Disabilities Week and this year, the aim is to show the world the incredible things that people with a learning disability achieve, smashing misconceptions about what people can do and shining a light on the stigma many still face every day.
Outwood is a residential service located in Horsforth, Leeds, that provides outcome focused care for adults with learning disabilities, who may have behaviours that challenge and associated complex needs.
Here at Outwood we support a wide variety of people here to do all kinds of activities – swimming, education and work based provisions, adaptive cycling, horse riding, the cinema, meals out, local walks, hiking, museums, trips to the seaside, theatre, sensory rooms and activities, holidays in the UK and abroad… the list goes on. The care provided is as person-centred and meaningful to each individual as possible. All activities are based on people’s needs and their likes. If something isn’t suitable, we always adapt and find a solution to enable us to do it in a fun and safe way.
I’m not sure that there are necessarily myths about people with learning disabilities, but I feel that often, the people we support can be vastly underestimated. The resilience, self-regulatory strategies and challenges they overcome each day is fantastic. All of the individuals we support are capable of progression, learning new things and finding ways to overcome anxieties and challenges they may face.
Tasks we would find simple can create sensory overload, cause anxiety, inconsistency and unpredictability for some people with learning disabilities. Something as lovely as Christmas can be tough. It means the shops close, everywhere is busier, there can be sensory overload, more events are taking place, and it creates anxiety that things might not be the same. This can mean that at times, things can be really overwhelming. Small adaptations and provisions like giving advanced warning, allowing access to quiet spaces to regroup and self-regulate, providing accessible information, allowing extra time at appointments, offering the support of our amazing staff teams and MDTs, or even giving something as simple as fidget toys and ear defenders, can make the world of difference to their experiences and allow them to lead happy, meaningful lives.
A fantastic example is our fake shop which we created when the local shop closed down. One of our residents finds the other shops around us too overwhelming. Rather than cancel the activity, the staff recreated the experience next door to the closed down shop and the resident could still have the much needed part of their routine, minus the anxiety.
Progress and success can come in many forms and I’m constantly amazed at the things the individuals we support manage to achieve. The most detrimental thought process we can have is ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it’. Aiming high and putting simple provisions in place can make all the difference and enable a successful intervention, positive risk taking and trying new things. Progress can be anything from accepting a vaccination or medical appointment after a desensitisation plan, making your own meal with support or learning to use one or two new words or Makaton signs. All progress is individualised and all progress is celebrated.
I’m very proud to run a service with a staff team committed to the supporting the development and well-being of the individuals we support. Their dedication, acts of kindness, creativity, and above and beyond attitude can be humbling. They will always come together in times of need. I look forward to supporting people to achieve more in the coming years – we have holidays abroad planned, returns to education, medical interventions, parties to organise, Makaton to learn and new individuals to welcome into the home.