Joint working gives Noah a new perspective

Noah has Down’s Syndrome and a profound learning disability. When he joined ECL Saffron Walden in September 2019, his mum and dad were quite concerned about the transition from school as he had been in the same, familiar setting since the age of four, but to their surprise he settled in right away. His mum Bonny commented: “Noah immediately settled in and we have been pleased how he has developed good relationships with the staff and other customers.”

Five years on and Noah is thriving. He loves to be out in the community and enjoys trips to the town centre, to the local common, and attending lunch club at the pub with his friends at the centre.

His mum Bonny said: “Noah really enjoys his time at ECL, he has developed lots of new skills and we are particularly pleased with the improvement in his social interaction. He has developed good relationships with the staff and other customers. The activities are varied and challenging for him and he is often taken out into the community which is important to him.”

Noah spends most of his time in a wheelchair, but thanks to the support of ECL’s Clinical team he recently gained an alternative view of the world by using a new standing frame.

His ECL Support Workers at the day centre collaborated with ECL’s Clinical Physiotherapists Fiona Storkey, Ilona Bojaczuk and Occupational Therapist Sarah Bellringer to make this possible.

With expert training from the Clinical team, Noah’s ECL Support Workers all help him use the frame and get the most from it during his time at the centre. Having the opportunity to explore the world from a standing viewpoint has been transformational for him, improving his quality of life and having a positive impact on his experiences while at ECL.

Noah also benefits from sensory integration sessions where he spends time free of both his wheelchair and frame. His support team use this time to carry out his physiotherapy exercises to calming music. Sensory equipment such as an interactive floor projector and TACPAC (a communication through touch and music program) are used to stimulate Noah and develop his interaction, communication, and co-ordination.

Noah’s keyworker Robert McKinley said: “We have seen many positive changes since starting the sensory sessions with Noah, he can now reach, grab and throw, and during the sessions Noah exhibits his preferences using eye-pointing, facial expressions and noises. Most importantly, Noah is now using his eye-pointing skills to make food and activity choices.”