Adam

It is 10 years now since I met Janet O’Keefe.  Little did I know at that time what an important impact she would have on my family!

Introduction
This could be a very long story, but to cut it extremely short:  Adam is the younger of our 2 sons and (after a bit of a battle with what appeared to be everyone at that time) was diagnosed with autism (at the more severe end of the scale) at the tender age of 22 months!

Following lots of appointments with various different professionals (with all the associated negativity), we were getting no further forward with making sense of anything.  Adam was ‘spiralling’ out of control and it seemed as though there was absolutely nothing that we could do!

In sheer desperation, I found Janet’s number in an NAS publication and made contact to see if there was any way she could help us.

Our initial appointment (with my husband, eldest son Sean, Adam and myself), consisted of an interview by Janet in her beautiful home:  Thereafter, Adam and I visited weekly (in the spare bedroom) over quite a substantial period of time.

Janet devised a ‘list’ of 10 or so items / activities each week that we were to work on.  Obviously initially there were only one or two things that were appropriate. Using these ‘positives’ we worked forwards with a programme that once we had completed a few weeks, Adam and I could successfully complete most of the items on an A4 sheet.  With all this successful we became much more motivated than we had been in the months previous.

As the weeks went on; Janet put us in touch with all sorts of other Therapists that could support us: 
Music
Adam had problems with sleep (he basically never slept through the night, and once up would ‘play’).  We were introduced to Fioretta, who devised a tape for Adam to listen to before he went to bed.  This worked wonders!  He wore headphones (we never thought he would); and sat spellbound with this ‘music’ for about an hour before he went to bed.  This was reviewed and still uses a very similar therapy to this day.
Nutrition
Adam has always been very ‘hyper’ and ‘bouncy’!  Although there was nothing really wrong with this, there are obviously times when this isn’t always appropriate.  Time to call in Julie.  Julie is a nutritionalist, and recognised that there were obviously certain foods that would spark off this unconventional behaviour.  With lots of support and guidance, we adopted a casein and gluten free diet.  Although we relaxed this just a couple of years ago, we still recognise certain rules, especially when out and about and on Holidays.
SEN Solicitor
Once a ‘Special Needs’ child goes to school; they need to have a Statement (or at least have one in progress).  Without Janet’s guidance (with everything else, I didn’t have the first clue); and introduction to Melinda, a Special Educational Needs Solicitor; Adam most certainly wouldn’t have benefited from all the support, love and specialised care of the school he attends today!

I have kept a ‘diary’ since I started working with Janet.  Although it makes me cry buckets, it is sometimes worth an hour or so to look them out and remind myself of what we have as a family coped with and have successfully come through.  More importantly take time to celebrate all the achievements that Adam makes every day, no matter how small they may appear to others.  For us now everything is extremely special, and time spent together as a family is important.

Looking back.  There were times when we were just so wrapped up in the ‘negatives’ that it was impossible to see anything positive.  It was extremely upsetting that Adam did not talk, wouldn’t want to associate with anyone, wrapped himself in his own little world and wouldn’t let anyone in!  Janet would always be there to support and was always insistent that this was just a ‘phase’ that he was going through.  I most certainly didn’t believe her at the time, but we are now on a totally different chapter.  His speech is not as good as it could be; but it gets him what he needs!  He is always curious about new people; and always has a cuddle when he has missed us!

This is just a very brief synopsis of all the hard work that has gone on over the past ten years.  Every chapter brings in new challenges, with new goal posts that are ever needing to be moved.

We never say never these days.  As a family we spend many a happy hour together.  Adam has a love of socialising and loves a Restaurant and good food.  He loves ‘days out’ and is always beautifully behaved. 

We even go abroad for our Holidays these days!

Thanks Janet!  I don’t even begin to contemplate what life would’ve been like for our family had you not been involved…

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