Prior Insight is our digital platform which
gathers rich data about autism as a
condition.
Every day, our staff members log data, via tablets,
about the young person they are working with - their
food intake, their activities, their behaviours and
more. On average, more than 10,000 data entries are
made every week.
Previously, such data was inputted via a paper-based
system which was time-consuming and limited in
terms of identifying patterns.
We use the data on both a day-to-day basis to assess
learning progress or aid with shift handovers, and on
a 'big' data, analytical level.
It is difficult for people with complex autism to
communicate how they are feeling or what they are
experiencing, making it difficult to understand why
behaviours, incidents or health needs occur.
With the capacity to interpret large amounts of
data more efficiently and effectively, highlighting
correlations and trends, Prior Insight helps us
to identify causes of behaviours and then find ways
to remedy these. It brings together teams from
across Prior's Court to pool expertise and experiences
more effectively, for the betterment of our young
people's lives.
How big data helped support one young person
to change their relationship with food
/priorscourt @PriorsCourt @priors_court Prior's Court Foundation
Meet Alfie
Alfie has had a diagnosis of
Autism Spectrum Disorder,
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder and severe learning
difficulties. Alfie joined Prior's
Court in 2014 at the age of nine.
Alfie, who is now 17, is a very
sociable young man who actively
communicates with adults.
The problem
Following a sickness bug, Alfie's parents raised some
concerns as it seemed he had lost a slight bit of
weight. Concurrently, it was realised that Alfie had
begun to take extended periods of time and many
prompts from his Autism Practitioners when eating.
It appeared that following his sickness, Alfie had
developed an almost phobic response to food.
The solution
A multidisciplinary meeting was held in which a
robust protocol was developed for monitoring and
improving Alfie's relationship with food over the
following months.
A positive behaviour support approach sought to
help Alfie redress his relationship with food, meals
and the illness that he had experienced, to reestablish that eating
was good for him.