Lauren's Story: A Brighter Future
Lauren* is a young person with autism and a severe learning disability who experienced a period of distress that affected all areas of her life. Lauren’s anxiety increased and she started to withdraw from the community and stopped attending school. Through person centred support, strong partnership working and a focus on what mattered most to Lauren, she has rebuilt confidence and returned to education.
Returning to Education
Support That Evolved With Her Needs
Finding Confidence Again
Lauren’s Experience
Lauren had always enjoyed attending school and being involved in activities in the community. As things became more difficult, those parts of her life gradually reduced and her world became much smaller. The changes in Lauren were clear to see, and the team around her knew it was important to understand what she was experiencing and how they could support her in a way that felt right for her.
Lauren’s Support
The team at Merida House knew Lauren well however, as her needs changed, the support provided needed to change too. Rather than looking for solutions, they focused on understanding what Lauren was experiencing and adapted support in ways that helped her feel safe, understood and in control.
Support was regularly reviewed and adjusted to reflect Lauren’s changing needs. The team spent time reflecting on events, identifying possible triggers and adapting both the environment and daily routines. They introduced new strategies gradually, carefully monitoring what worked best for Lauren and making changes when needed. Every small step that Lauren took was recognised and celebrated.
The team also worked closely with Lauren’s school to maintain connections with education and prepare for her eventual return when she felt ready. As Lauren’s confidence grew, they supported her to re-engage with communication resources, helping her express her preferences, make choices and have greater control over the support she received.
Looking Ahead
Today, Lauren is continuing to grow in confidence and communicate when she is feeling anxious. Returning to education has been a significant milestone, and she is continuing to build on this progress at a pace that feels right for her. Lauren’s journey is still unfolding, but every step forward reflects her resilience, determination and the progress she has worked hard to achieve.