19/03/2025
Communication, Regulation, and Reflection 💬
Back home, Danielle introduced choice cards to help D decide what he wanted to do next. While using the cards, I also noticed him vocalising his choices, which Danielle later told me was a huge step forward in his development 🎉.
As D worked on a puzzle 🧩, another young person moved around energetically nearby, causing a distraction. I saw D’s frustration build—he rocked gently as a way to soothe himself. The care team instinctively supported both individuals—arranging for the other young person to go for a walk to release some energy while allowing D the space to regulate and reset.
This moment reinforced what I had observed earlier—predictability and order were fundamental to D’s sense of control and security. Just as he couldn’t leave for the park without completing his pre-departure routine, he couldn’t move on from his puzzle until every piece was in its place. There was a deep sense of purpose and finality in his actions—he needed to see tasks through to completion before shifting his focus elsewhere. Once the puzzle was finished, he immediately went outside to bounce—a clear part of his self-regulation process.
Reflecting on my experience, I realised how much of what I had studied about autism, sensory processing, and independence was playing out in real-time. D showed signs of hyposensitivity—spinning, jumping, and bouncing never seemed to faze him 🔄🛝. Watching him dance at a small disco 🎶, his movements were bold and pronounced, making me wonder if he would love amusement parks like Drayton Manor or Alton Towers 🎢.
This day showed me two beautiful, seemingly opposite realities: in the life of a care worker, no two days are ever the same—yet for the individuals they support, routine and structure provide a vital foundation. It was a powerful and humbling experience to witness this balance firsthand.
💡 For many autistic individuals, structure isn’t just a preference—it’s a source of comfort, stability, and empowerment.
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