Mansfield family says autistic son has made 'amazing progress' during lockdown

Life has transformed for autistic Junior Varet during lockdown.

Parents Donna and Jean Pierre Varet were left anxious when their son Junior’s routine was drastically changed due to the temporary closure of his regular autism day service.

But working together with a social care worker, the family has seen a positive behavioural shift in their 27-year-old autistic son, resulting in a new lifestyle for the family.

The Autism East Midlands Day Service and his regular short breaks service were forced to close due to government lockdown regulations earlier this year, which meant that Junior was at home full time.

With Junior’s parents furloughed, they were able to create a new and improved support plan for their son which was shaped by spending more quality time together in lockdown.

Donna Varet said: “Since day one of lockdown I knew we had to make sure Junior was supported as we adjust to changes in our whole family’s routine.

“I’m usually working full time and now the family is at home together each day it’s incredible because we’ve learnt so much more about our son.

“We’ve utilised the whole house and re-instated key activities in Junior’s weekly schedule at home.

“We’ve created an arts and crafts room, IT room and created plenty of activities in the garden such as swing ball and time in the jacuzzi. I’ve never seen Junior this calm and chilled before – our new schedule has made such a difference.”

The family has been working with a social worker from Nottinghamshire County Council’s Newark Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT) to create a new initial support plan to see what Junior’s week might look like once services re-open and explore alternative options.

Donna added: “We have been mindful and carefully watching Junior and for 12 weeks, we have not seen one inkling of challenging behaviour.

“We’ve learnt that Junior thrives more with independence and he’s a lot calmer and happier. I’m overwhelmed to see this amazing progress.

“We’ve transformed as a family and reconnected with him again.”