7
as a result of their autism but also their rights as an individual to dignity,
freedom and safety.
The key areas of focus within the young adult provision are:
Independent living skills
There is a focus on developing selfcare
and life skills for all individuals.
This includes developing personal care
routines and good hygiene, learning to
plan, shop for and cook their own
meals, learning to do their own
laundry and take responsibility for
their personal belongings, learning to
complete day-to-day domestic jobs
including the cleaning of personal and
communal areas, learning to manage
their money and developing their skills
to travel on a variety of transport within the community.
Choice-making, Advocacy, Personal development
A range of strategies are used to enable young adults to
make real choices about their lives such as what to
wear, preferred leisure activities, and personalising their
bedroom. Our aim is to provide experiences for our
young adults which will enable them to achieve a sense
of personal identity, self-esteem and self-respect.
Through a focus on personal development, citizenship
and opportunities for decision-making about their lives
presented throughout the Waking Day, we strive to
create a happy and stimulating environment for the
development of sexuality, physical, intellectual,
emotional, spiritual and social skills, which takes into
account the special needs of our young adults.
Leisure and relaxation
Leisure and relaxation are important areas of
life for all young adults. Individuals with
autism often struggle to engage
independently in leisure and relaxation
activities, particularly when the focus is on
self-occupation. Each young adult is
supported to develop leisure activities and
hobbies which build upon their interests and
aspirations and which will contribute to their
spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
Health, wellbeing and safety
Regular and frequent exercise is a vital part of each day and a core principle of
our approach and is part of the repertoire of strategies for reducing anxieties
and learning to self-calm. A wide range of facilities and activities onsite enable