Welcome Paula! At an assistive living facility that my daughter and I are providing services for, we had a new young lady move in today. She is severely impaired lady with multiple problematic behaviors. She is sensory defensive but also a severe sensory seeker.....constantly rocking, vocalizing, biting her pillow, etc. She is loud and often anxious with a very disorganized nervous system. She has been living by herself in an apartment with two staff around the clock, because of destructive behaviors (physical aggression, property destruction, self abusive head banging, etc.). Her name is not really Paula, but to protect confidentiality it is Paula here. Now, behind all these disorganized behavior is the most joyous person, with a wide smile, and wonderful love for attention. She seeks out frequent attention and feels insecure without it. She really does not know how to regulate with others, and can become overwhelmed very easily. She wants so much to relate with others, but does not know how to connect. When Paula is happy, she is very happy, but because of her fragile nervous system she can become distraught at the drop of a dime. We wanted to bring Paula into the assisted living because she was so isolated in her apartment. She is a people person and would grow better being with others. We fell in love with Paula the first time we meet her. Her smile warms the room, and her extreme animation is so engaging. She has visited the complex everyday for the last few days, and moved in today. She is apprehensive, as could be expected, but with a lot of previewing with picture stories about the complex she has done well. Paula loves the bolster swing in the middle of the gym, and loves sitting on a large bean bag crash pad. Kudos to Nick and the staff. They have been so good with Paula. Most of the staff have never been a support person before a couple of weeks ago. They are new to this type of work. Our main approach has been to help Paula feel safe and accepted in our presence. To be companions for Paula, not just care workers. We match our interaction to the arousal level of her nervous system. The louder she gets the quieter we become. If she is under-aroused, we become more animated. She enjoys movement, deep pressure, and rhythmic repetitive sensory motor interaction (singing, chanting, rocking, deep pressure palm squeezes, etc.). We use these preferences to build engagement around. We meet her in her world and she is feeling more comfortable sharing it with us. Paula is getting used to being an active participant in her life. Instead of us doing for her, she is getting used doing with staff; becoming an active agent in her life. Nothing for her, without her. This also allows us to teach her to coordinate actions and relate with other, by turning all daily activity into we-do activities....doing it together, taking turns, and helping each other out. Sharing emotional, reciprocal interaction; sharing experiences together. Staff have to be emotionally in tune with Paula, reading her emotional level to keep her regulated. Staff are learning how to pace her. As she starts to get louder, they quiet her; if she starts to get too rough, they model being more gentle; if she is moving too fast; they become slower in action. She is referencing and following staffs lead. She will become quieter, more gentle, and slow her down so she doesnt become disorganized. She is engaging, both in connecting with us and becoming an active agent in her daily life. With compassion, comes connectiveness! With engagement, comes greater competency and strong confidence. Thanks to the staff for embracing this wonderful human being and teaching her to feel safe and engaged with the world around her. Her emerging trust is a reflection of your compassionate guidance. By understanding her sensory world and what calms and soothes her nervous system, you are teaching her to feel safe following your lead. That is a gift that she will return in her warmth towards you. Welcome to your new world Paula! Thank you for teaching us how to be more loving and compassionate! We learn and grow from you as we hope you do from us.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 00:48:46 +0000
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