Nadia is 18 years old. She has cortical visual impairment, autism, epilepsy and severe learning difficulties. When she arrived at RNIB Pears Centre in 2005, she struggled to cooperate with tasks such as eating, washing and personal care. Accessing the community was extremely difficult because of her challenging behaviour.
Our team worked to get to know Nadia and understand about her autism and visual difficulties. We learnt how her vision and sensory processing affects her and have developed appropriate ways to manage this.
Nadia now eats independently with a fork. She controls her personal care and has shown a key interest in sensory lessons and beauty and therapies. She uses objects of reference to communicate her wishes and needs. Nadia's social skills have improved and she frequently accesses the community with the right support. Recently she explored the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham and visited a restaurant, going independently to find a seat.
Incredible impact
"RNIB Pears Centre has had an incredible impact: the teaching has brought new life into Nadia and she has developed independent living skills. She has made major strides which has had a positive impact on her parents and siblings as well.
We are very grateful to RNIB Pears Centre for all their efforts and support." Qayyum - Nadia's dad