Oneautumn 2017 Endeavour Kingaroy's cooking page 4 autism awareness PAGe 2-3 Accommodation PAGE 8-9 autism awareness month Max Tindall As part of autism awareness month, adeane tindall shares the story of her son max and Looking the importance of support for ‘invisible’ disabilities. “If you walk into our home or Max’s classroom, beyond the you couldn’t pick him out as having Autism. But then we’ve funded nearly ten years of support – from speech and occupational therapy to psychology appointments. I can tell you now, he’d be a very different child if we hadn’t been in surface the position to do so.” Adeane Tindall’s 13 year old son, Max, was diagnosed with Autism at the age of four, but it was an uphill struggle. 2 | One Endeavour autism awareness month “We know that Max’s disability isn’t visible, but that doesn’t make it any less real. In fact, it’s tackling the issue head-on that has enabled him to achieve so much.” For many people with an intellectual disability, brain injury or mental health condition, the impact of an ‘invisible’ disability is significant. Social Stories It’s relatively clear when someone uses a hearing aid, guide dog or wheelchair, and it’s equally clear that a response – from friends, neighbours or the community – is required. The hearing aid prompts Some people with autism struggle with an adjustment in our communication style; the guide new social situations and social skills. dog reminds us to avoid visual communication; and the wheelchair guides us away from stairs. This can seem like a disinterest in others but often that is not the case. What if your disability impacts upon how you think or problem solve, or People with Autism can tend to struggle to pick up on social understand the perspective of others? cues, and to understand how others are thinking or feeling – this is called “Theory of Mind”. This makes it hard for a But what if your disability can’t be seen? What if your person with Autism to know how they are ‘supposed’ to disability impacts upon how you think or problem respond in certain situations. solve, or understand the perspective of others? Having difficulty understanding the views of others can Because these processing differences are invisible, mean anything outside what the person with Autism others often misjudge what is being communicated wants, knows or understands is overwhelming and anxiety and how best to respond. provoking, and can lead to tantrums and challenging Early intervention is fundamental for Autism behaviour (often referred to as ‘meltdowns’), particularly Spectrum Disorder, and the cost of not making in children. It’s not because they are being ‘naughty’ or these supports available is simply too great for intentionally badly behaved but because they have no the community to bear – including social isolation, context with which they are able to frame and therefore overwhelmed families, and escalating lifetime understand the situation. support costs. A primary intervention for ‘theory of mind’ deficits is known Adeane and her husband have funded Max’s as social stories. The use of social stories teaches the therapies and opted to send him to a private, person with Autism what to expect in social situations and independent high school – a “caring, nurturing what others are likely to be thinking, because they are school environment where he isn’t compared with unable to infer it. This helps them to know – explicitly – his peers or measured against a ‘standard’ but Max what to do and how to respond in certain situations. As a is judged on Max”. result, the clear expectations that are conveyed in social Even then, with mammoth family support, Max’s stories lead to less difficulty, overwhelm and a reduction path has not been easy. in challenging behaviours for people with Autism in social situations. “He struggles with communication – his trouble expressing himself leads to a whole lot of pent-up Simon Wardale has worked with people with intellectual frustration – and we’re currently weaning him off disability and challenging behaviour for over 20 years. anti-anxiety medication. He even struggles with Simon manages the Specialist Behaviour Service with things like heat sensitivity and sensory overload Endeavour Foundation. Simon and his team have extensive every day, but who can tell any of these things just understanding of the developmental impact of Autism, as by looking at him? well as expertise in using social stories as an intervention. “He is doing so well, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t need people to be aware, to understand, and not to have too high expectations. He does well If you’d like a confidential on the surface but, spend a bit of time with him and discussion on how we can support you’ll soon work it out. And ‘working it out’, for Max, means we have to make adjustments – walk in his you or a family member, please shoes, so that we can understand how to enable him to reach his full potential.” contact us on 1800 112 112 or The challenge for the NDIS is for both policy and [email protected] to implementation to reflect an understanding of the often significant support needs of people with find out more. developmental disabilities, and to invest in them conscientiously and equitably. One Endeavour | 3 real possibilities Kingaroy Kitchen team hard at work on their famous biscuits Exciting opportunities taking root at Kingaroy Kitchen established for use in Kingaroy Kitchen products, but also Endeavour Foundation’s Kingaroy for supported employees to take home, as part of a drive to Kitchen is a hive of activity this promote healthy eating. To provide some ideas on what to do with their healthy year, with great plans afoot and a goodies, Site Manager Paul Lowe has been sharing some celebrity chef in the mix! recipes with the team so they can easily cook up a storm at home. A visit by Seven’s The Great Day Out (formerly The Great Paul said that the launch of their new café is the next step South East) saw the team give presenter Alastair McLeod in bringing the Kingaroy Kitchen experience to tourists and a sneak peek at some of their famous recipes. the local community. Andy Simmons, a keen cook and member of the local team “We’re really excited about the potential of the café. My for the past seven years, said that he was thrilled to have hope is that it will not only help us to ensure that Kingaroy met his culinary hero. Kitchen – as a business – remains viable, but that it will “It was a really, really good experience, and meeting also allow the teams to gain a host of new skills. Crucially, Alastair was the best bit. I’ve watched him on TV and it offers a chance for people with an intellectual disability to always wanted to meet him. He’s very talented and I show first-hand just how capable they are, and how much admire his way of cooking.” they have to offer our community.” Television fame, however, is just one of the team’s many If you’re interested in trying Kingaroy Kitchen goodies plans and achievements. Thanks to a local farmer and for yourself, visit www.kingaroykitchen.com.au dedicated volunteer, Rob, a vegetable garden has been 4 | One Endeavour real possibilities Reaping rewards of Amanda Upton vocational employment For many people with an intellectual disability, work and study prospects can be few and far between. But for supported employees at Endeavour Foundation sites across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, the pursuit of new skills and personal progression is actively encouraged. In 2016, a total of 309 Certificate II courses in Food Processing "The course was explained in a way that anyone with a and Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways were completed, disability could understand. I really enjoyed it," Amanda said. enhancing skills across areas such as quality assurance and "I feel more confident with my job as I have learnt heaps." workflow management. Since achieving her Certificate II in both courses, Michelle "For people with a disability you’re typically looking at around 53 noted that Amanda has applied the new skills to her role and is per cent in the labour market – that is in, or actively looking for, impressing supervisors with her professionalism. work – compared with 83 per cent of people without disabilities", said Michelle Howells from Endeavour Foundation’s Wacol site. "The students have worked very hard throughout the program and their certificates are testimony to that. The certificate “That’s why we’re so motivated to provide access to vocational means that they have the industry skills to respond to the education that complements practical experience, allowing demands of the workplace. That might be in open employment, supported employees to explore their individual abilities and or it might mean new opportunities within a supported ambitions.” environment – either way it’s a success in our book.” Amanda Upton from Redbank is one of those reaping the rewards of hard work. Building a bright future in Innisfail accessible homes have enjoyed an improved quality of life and Construction is officially underway on the sense of personal independence that came from managing two new, accessible homes for people household tasks like cleaning, washing and cooking. “It is a pleasure and a privilege to partner with eight local people with a disability in Innisfail. as they prepare for this new chapter in their lives,” Andrea said. Endeavour Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Donne said “Both houses also include a spare room for support staff and the two new five-bedroom houses in Spina Court and Downing incorporate environmentally friendly features such as a 5 kW Street, which will be home to eight people in total, were funded solar system and skylights to reduce electricity costs.