"I enjoy coming, we should do it more".
Mikey, autistic adult
- autistic adult and a regular visitor at our Lancashire Centre
Mikey is an autistic adult and long-time attendee of our Lancashire Centre’s Day Opportunities Centre.
When Mikey was younger, he found it difficult to engage socially with others, and tended to prefer his own company or that of his computer over other people. It was one of Mikey’s carers, Wendy, who sought out the help of our Lancashire Centre whilst she was investigating local National Autistic Society services.
When Mikey first joined the Lancashire Centre, he had very firm ideas about what he liked, and did not like to deviate from them or try any new activities. Mikey also lacked confidence in himself, so initially he did not enjoy speaking to his peers.
After settling in at the Centre, Mikey started to try new activities
It took Mikey some time to familiarise himself with our staff team. At first, Mikey did not want to engage with staff when they tried to motivate him to try new activities or develop new skills. But the team continued to encourage Mikey, gently communicating to him that he was limiting himself. Once Mikey had processed this, he began to listen – and when he listened and communicated his needs clearly, staff were able to engage with him to broaden his interests.
Mikey: “I enjoy coming to the Lancashire Centre, we should do it more.”
To help Mikey get to know others at the Centre, staff began to introduce him to low-pressure group activities, such as trips to sensory spaces and arts and crafts sessions, where he quickly became familiar with everybody. Mikey was a strong swimmer, and so he began swimming with the Centre. Mikey now regularly goes swimming with other autistic adults attending the Centre, and he enjoys this very much.
When asked how he feels about his new interests, such as socialising, arts and crafts, and swimming, Mikey says simply: “I am the best.”
Soon, Mikey also began to develop his cooking skills
Mikey liked to eat, but he was not initially interested in learning to cook. To help Mikey develop his cooking skills, our staff found a compromise. Mikey loved sugary foods, so our staff began baking sweet treats with him. Mikey was good at this, and he has since become very confident around the kitchen area.
Mikey has gone from following the recipes suggested by staff to researching and choosing his own recipes. Whilst Mikey was not initially interested in making savoury foods, Mikey now suggests savoury recipes to try, and has a growing collection of things he is able to make. Now, when he attends the Centre on a Monday, Mikey tells staff that on Friday, they will be making croissants or sausage rolls!
"Yeah… I am good at cooking. I think what I want and take it home for everyone. I am really good at it now.”
Mikey’s confidence and skills continue to grow
Mikey thrives at our Lancashire Centre, and he has found a great deal of confidence in being aware of that fact. He is incredibly proud of the things he makes and does.
Mikey’s newfound confidence has also enabled him to take charge of certain situations, such as deciding which recipes to cook. This is a real difference from Mikey’s dislike of change when he first joined the Centre.
Wendy:
“I think his going to the Lancashire Centre is absolutely brilliant. It’s given him something interesting to do, he is meeting new people. And now that he is coming on three days, on the off days he says ‘NAS (National Autistic Society) tomorrow?’ He stands by the door and waits for you to arrive, which just tells me that he loves it… and he is bored to tears on the days that he does not come. I think he’s gained a lot of confidence… he is certainly welcomed your input, and so have I.”
We continue to be regularly amazed with what Mikey is capable of, and we push on with the utmost confidence that he will continue to defy expectations and take further ownership of developing his skillset. We know we are incredibly privileged to be the people who get to help him in doing so.