A day in the life of a
carer
Ian works at a Day Opportunity
centre for adults with autism. At 9am there is just enough time to
discuss each staff members' responsibility for the day. The
activity board is competed, so all participants know what is
happening and when. This morning Ian will be supporting two people
at the Music Therapy session. It is always a lively and very
interesting session. Especially when one of the participants shows
abilities he is unable to express in any other session. Ian support
the Therapist when she is unable to make herself understood. He
also asks the Therapist for a report on their progress in readiness
for a review.
At lunch time Ian is supporting
one person who is working towards living independently. The
participant had been taught over a period of six months how to
choose his lunch in a shop and how to purchase it. Although the
road is quite safe to cross, Ian had to make sure by using a "road
crossing module" which enabled the participant and Ian to deliver
this important skill step by step. On each occasion, Ian had to
observe and report on success but also on problems. Now that the
road crossing module has been successfully completed, Ian must
shadow the participant to ensure all is well. He will be reporting
back to the Care Manager and the parents at the yearly review, next
month.
After lunch, Ian will be
supporting a client at his work placement, a "candle making"
session for a group of four people. It has been Ian's favourite
thing and he has been able to motivate at least four people to make
some wonderful "specimens". It is now 4.10pm and Ian is writing
diaries, data collection forms and communication books. At 4.30pm
Ian walks home, tired but excited about tomorrow.