We are now 6 months into Brandon's independent living arrangement. It is really going very well. I don't want anyone to think this has all been very easy. We have definitely had our ups and downs. But looking back over the last six months, it is really going very well. Brandon's companion Chris is the perfect match for Brandon. He loves music, he has extensive knowledge of young adults transitioning from living at home to a more independent setting, he lets Brandon has his own space and is subtle when working in independence in the process, he is very laid back and easily rolls with the occasional ups and downs with Brandon, and Brandon and Chris both have the same personality. All of that has worked well for the transition. I can say after 6 months Brandon and Chris have bonded. It has also helped that Brandon's aide Ross, has been with Brandon for the last three years. Brandon and Ross bonded years ago and Brandon really trusts Ross. So the three of them are a great team for success.
Brandon has developed some great wins in his independent living skills. Number one - he is really happy. He occasionally misses his mom, but we have Facetime and he sees me every weekend. He still says he wants to live with me, but it is not as insistent as he has been earlier in the process. He has learned much more about boundaries and privacy. He is more independent in the bathroom. He is learning to shave by himself, brush his teeth, comb his hair and get dressed independently. And most important - for the first time in 20 years Brandon is no longer dependent on a diaper when sleeping. Brandon is much more engaging and will carry on a conversation with you. He will engage with other people, even if on a limited basis, and you can understand what he is saying easier because he is trying hard to say words so someone can understand him. Over Christmas he spontaneously told strangers "Merry Christmas" and then "Happy New Year". Last weekend he told a few people when we were out and about "Happy Martin Luther King Day". The first time it happened I was shocked he engaged, but really proud of him for engaging. He is taking time when having conversations by saying things like give me a minute or I will be right back. The challenge is when he really starts talking, trying to understand everything he is saying. Usually it is about music and it can get very obscure in details about a band or a song and I may not know it in context. But it is great success for him. Brandon is learning at the house daily living skills that we have programmed on Autismate, an app for his IPAD. Lesli, Brandon's speech therapist has helped everyone learn how to program on the app. We have programmed how to wash clothes, shave, warm up pizza and Chris is thinking about how to make mac and cheese. So for being only 6 months in, I am really amazed at how far Brandon has come.
But that is not all. We are also working with the University of Texas Transition program and Speech Therapy program and they have helped Brandon with developing those key phases and how to talk to strangers. They also are working with the team on developing tasks for the areas we have identified as our current focus like shaving and shopping for groceries. This has really helped us put the whole program together. In addition, the team has worked with Brandon and UT resulting in Brandon starting a new job at UT. This job meets all of Brandon's needs for work. We wanted a job that has social engagement, we wanted Brandon to work on developing skills for delivering mail and office type skills and we wanted an environment that would accept the need for Brandon to develop those skills. The job is a great match. UT also has an intern working with Brandon developing those items we have identified as a need. We have made great progress.
At school, Brandon is working on the job at UT, still maintaining his work at Seton and still working with the KOOP radio on the Beatles show each Tuesday. He is now eating again at school since his health is better. So we have added shopping for food and supplies and making his own meals. He also exercises 3 times a week at the Y. Fridays the whole group has social activities. Brandon has a job coach that works with him at his jobs.
The whole process is really coming together. Brandon's network has developed areas of focus for this year. I took a picture shot of the areas of focus.
This is a picture shot to show an example of the "Living Skills Areas" of focus. Each area above has it's own list.
I hope this helps someone in the future with their own transition. We are all learning along the way, but having a plan for the year has helped everyone focus on where we are headed.
Brandon has had a few weeks where he has been very upset, but they have been when I have traveled for a longer period of time, or when I have changed the schedule. Everyone has worked to keep an update to date calendar for Brandon so he knows what is coming next. That has really seemed to help.
I cant ask for a better team at home, at school, at UT, his therapists and his network. Looking forward to the next 6 months. BIG WIN.
More later
Leah
