Max is becoming more independent with respite

“I love the consistency of the Northcott Respite service. They’ve got the same support workers who have a good rapport with my son Max and are willing to push him beyond his comfort zone. Once he’s there, he’s as happy as a pig in mud.”

Fran’s son Max has autism and intellectual disability. He is non-verbal, has sensory, auditory and processing issues and some developmental delays. While he is able to do some activities for himself, such as getting dressed or eating meals, he needs assistance with grooming and personal hygiene, and he doesn’t interact to a great extent with other children.

For the past two years, fourteen-year-old Max has been a regular customer at Northcott’s Roselands Respite service, visiting for short weekend breaks every month or so to spend time away from his family and start to build his independence.

Although it took a serious illness for his mother Fran and her husband to be able to access a respite service initially, the pair had already started to think of ways to prepare Max for living in share accommodation sometime in the future.

Fran knows Max enjoys his time with Northcott and is pleased with the progress in his independence.  

“We were basically thinking of preparing him for when he leaves home. We thought by sending him to Respite he would be forced to do a few things for himself, interact with others, co-operate and try to communicate,” Fran explains, adding that her illness also forced the family to seek additional support.

“He also seems to try and do a few more things for himself such as getting dressed or unpacking his bag. He’s also changed himself and cleaned himself up [without assistance]. The support workers are keeping them safe and boosting their confidence to do things which is great.”