The overall aim of the Service is to enable individuals with high functioning autism or Asperger’s syndrome to achieve fulfilment and independence in daily living in a way that is meaningful to them.
Open Door’s dedicated and trained team of staff and volunteers do this by working with the individual to agree a package of support that is designed to meet their assessed and identified needs and aspirations.
Support plans are geared towards reducing levels of experienced anxiety by helping the individual develop appropriate coping strategies and more effective communication and social skills. Families and/or social circles of support are included, where appropriate, in development plans in order to achieve consistency of approach and therefore reduce the likelihood of confusing or sabotaging potential outcomes.
Such an approach facilitates the development of self-confidence and enhanced self-esteem for the individual and enables confidence in interacting with the wider community. This in turn increases the likelihood of aspirational achievement and motivation towards independence.
As well as older adults, It is envisaged that Open Door will be able to support more young people in the transitional stage [between children’s and adult’s services] and as such intervene before they start to experience potential problems of adulthood typical to this client group.
For further information please contact Babs McClellan at Open Door or drop into the Open Door building on Hainton Avenue.