"Thank you, West Berkshire Council for the invitation and presenting D with the Personal Achievement Award on Saturday 19th October.
Thank you, The Forum School for funding the trip and to colleagues for their support.
As keyworker and advocate I am writing this on behalf of D who is a non-verbal young man who is flourishing despite his challenges in life.
In the morning D did not stop smiling since being shown and read a social story and choosing a smart, casual outfit to wear. There was a brief moment of over excitement but once on the minibus, absolute perfection. Arriving at Newbury Racecourse he seemed to remember where he was, as he had attended two years ago.
He was greeted at the welcome desk and we headed out to the activities. D was interested in the climbing wall and watched before getting in the queue. There was a very helpful guy who seemed to understand Delius anxiety, and he was very careful and considerate, giving instructions for D to step in to the harness and taking extra care to adjust the straps and clip on the safety rope. No helmet needed! D began climbing, reaching up for hand holds and stepping up on to the foot holds. Amazing.
We went into the main hall and D was greeted by his Social Worker. We were a bit early so we went for a walk around the racecourse enclosures.
When we went back to the dining hall, the Social Worker was there to help us find a table. We joined another group of people on a big round table, at the side and front. There were speeches and Introductions before names were called out. D watched as each person went up to collect awards, He joined in with clapping and listened to music. When D’s name was called, D immediately stood up and went to receive his award by himself. The award was in a white envelope and D perhaps couldn’t understand what this was for, so he handed it back and returned to his seat. We retrieved it for him and tucked it away for later.
After the ceremony D had his meal before saying our goodbyes and heading off home.
I want you to understand how brilliant this all is. To self-regulate D spins his body or toys, and sometimes spinning items inappropriately; he can get stuck and sometimes worries about busy and noisy environments.
Events such as this show that D is maturing, managing his needs and feelings. He has shown immense progress in his level of understanding, what is being said to him and knowing what to do when out in the community.
Well done."