Tom’s Moving Forward
We came to The Disability Trust in Goulburn as a family in 2015, scared of what the future held for our son who has high support autism, an intellectual disability, bipolar and is non-verbal. Tom also suffers from absent and grand mal seizures and we have had very little support over Tom’s life. Due to his autism, Tom became very withdrawn and his aggression became difficult and very unpredictable.
Tom began with two hours of support a morning, three days a week, at The Disability Trust respite facility, however he still spent a lot of time by himself. Things were kept very routine for Tom. I would park the car at the front door of the house, so Tom could run straight into a room and shut the door. Tom would then bring himself out of the room to listen to music which played all the time. Tom then began to let staff sit and listen with him, then go for a walk outside with staff.
Tom’s hours increased and so did the days and after a few months, a sleepover was introduced as well as swimming at Neate’s swim school. We started to hear single words and Tom is smiling and a very happy boy. Tom now averages about 30 hours a week with staff support.
After 12 months Tom has taken huge steps forward and he has now moved into his own house.
Tom and his carers now stop at the corner shop and buy a drink then walk to The Trust’s day program, where he plays with balls and greets staff with a high five.
We as a family are amazed at what Tom and the carers at The Disability Trust have been able to achieve. They have let Tom know it is okay for him to be himself, and adapted into Tom’s world instead of Tom having to adapt to everyday life to suit everybody else, while helping to make his day better.
Tom has been treated as an individual, his future now looks wonderful and we now see him being able to live at Mundy Street as a very happy young man.
Thank you to all the staff at The Disability trust, you are amazing caring people who have never said no, or made us feel that Tom’s needs are too hard to deal with. You are all the best!