Specialist, Person-Centred Support That Promotes Wellbeing, Communication, Dignity and Independence
At AKM Care, we understand that every person experiences the world differently. This is especially important when supporting autistic adults and people with learning disabilities, where communication styles, sensory needs, routines, emotional responses, abilities and personal preferences can vary significantly from one individual to another.
For this reason, we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our support is built around the individual. We take time to understand the person, their strengths, their needs, what is important to them, how they communicate, what helps them feel comfortable and what they would like to achieve.
Our aim is to provide a safe, supportive and respectful environment where people can feel understood, develop confidence, maintain their independence and enjoy a meaningful quality of life.
We support individuals through a combination of person-centred care planning, sensory awareness, structured support, positive behaviour approaches, reasonable adjustments and partnership working with families and professionals.
Understanding the Individual
A diagnosis of autism or a learning disability does not define a person.
Every individual has their own personality, experiences, interests, abilities, relationships, preferences and goals.
Before providing support, we aim to build a detailed understanding of the individual.
This may include learning about:
How the person prefers to communicate
Their daily routines
Their likes and dislikes
Sensory sensitivities and preferences
Food and drink preferences
Personal care needs
Mobility and physical health
Emotional wellbeing
Medication requirements
Important relationships
Cultural or religious preferences
Activities and hobbies
Situations that may cause anxiety or distress
What helps the person feel calm
Their existing skills
Areas where they would like greater independence
Their personal goals and aspirations
This information helps us create a support plan that reflects the person as an individual rather than simply responding to a diagnosis.
How We Support Autistic People and People with Learning Disabilities
Comprehensive and Individualised Assessments
Good support begins with a thorough assessment.
Before admission, our team works to understand whether we can safely and appropriately meet the person’s needs.
The assessment may consider areas including:
Communication
Cognition and understanding
Behaviour
Mental health
Physical health
Mobility
Medication
Personal care
Nutrition
Sensory needs
Daily living skills
Social interaction
Community access
Risks and safeguarding
Emotional wellbeing
Capacity and decision-making
Existing professional support
Where appropriate, we also review information provided by families, social workers, healthcare professionals and previous care providers.
This allows us to plan support before the person moves into the home and helps make the transition as comfortable as possible.
Individual Sensory Profiles
For many autistic people, sensory differences can have a significant impact on daily life.
An individual may be more sensitive or less sensitive to certain sounds, lights, smells, textures, movements or temperatures.
Understanding these differences helps us adapt the environment and our approach.
A sensory profile may identify:
Particular sounds the person finds difficult
Lighting preferences
Sensitivity to crowded areas
Clothing or bedding preferences
Food textures they prefer or avoid
Strong smells that may cause discomfort
Personal-space preferences
Movement or sensory activities they enjoy
Signs that sensory overload may be developing
Strategies that help the person regulate and feel calmer
By recognising these factors early, we can help create an environment that is more comfortable and predictable for the individual.
Communication Support
Communication is a fundamental part of person-centred care.
People communicate in different ways, and not everyone communicates primarily through speech.
Depending on the person, communication may involve:
Verbal communication
Pictures or symbols
Visual schedules
Easy-read information
Gestures
Facial expressions
Written communication
Communication devices
Objects of reference
Other individual communication methods
Our staff aim to understand the person’s preferred communication style and adapt their approach accordingly.
We also recognise that some people may require additional time to process information.
Staff should avoid unnecessarily rushing an individual or repeatedly asking the same question before they have had time to understand and respond.
Clear and consistent communication can help reduce confusion, anxiety and frustration.
Supporting People to Make Choices
Communication is particularly important when helping people participate in decisions about their own lives.
Where appropriate, we support individuals to make everyday choices about areas such as:
What they would like to eat
What clothes they want to wear
How they spend their day
Activities they would like to participate in
When they would like quiet time
How they personalise their room
Community outings
Social activities
Personal goals
Where someone needs additional support to understand a decision, information can be presented in a more accessible way.
The goal is to involve the individual as much as possible rather than making unnecessary decisions on their behalf.
Supporting Sensory Needs
Sensory differences are an important consideration when providing autism support.
Our approach may include reasonable adjustments to the person’s environment and routine according to their individual needs.
Light
Some individuals may find bright lights, fluorescent lighting or glare uncomfortable.
Where appropriate, adjustments may include:
Softer lighting
Reduced glare
Access to quieter and calmer spaces
Allowing individuals greater control over lighting in their personal space
Sound
Background noise can sometimes become overwhelming.
This may include:
Loud televisions
Multiple conversations
Household appliances
Doors closing
Traffic
Crowded environments
Where required, we may support individuals by reducing unnecessary noise, providing access to quieter spaces or supporting the use of headphones where appropriate.
Touch and Texture
Textures that appear ordinary to one person may feel uncomfortable to another.
This can relate to:
Clothing
Bedding
Towels
Furniture
Personal care products
Food textures
Staff should understand and respect these preferences wherever reasonably possible.
Smell and Taste
Some individuals may have strong preferences or sensitivities around smell and taste.
This may affect:
Meals
Cleaning products
Perfumes
Toiletries
Food preparation
Understanding these sensitivities can help improve comfort and reduce unnecessary distress.
Space and Movement
Some people may need greater personal space or opportunities for movement throughout the day.
Individuals may benefit from:
Access to outdoor areas
Walking
Movement activities
Sensory breaks
Quiet spaces
Opportunities to spend time independently
The level and type of support should always reflect the individual’s needs and preferences.
Routine, Structure and Predictability
For some autistic people, routine and predictability can provide an important sense of security.
Unexpected changes can sometimes cause anxiety, particularly when the individual does not understand what is happening or has not had sufficient time to prepare.
We therefore aim to provide structured and predictable support where this benefits the person.
This may include:
Consistent daily routines
Visual timetables
Calendars
Advance preparation for appointments
Clear explanations of planned changes
Familiar staff where possible
Consistent communication
However, person-centred support does not mean forcing every person to follow the same routine.
Some individuals may prefer more flexibility.
The important point is understanding what works for that individual.
Supporting Changes and Transitions
Changes such as moving into a new home, attending a hospital appointment, meeting new staff or changing an established routine can sometimes be difficult.
Where possible, we aim to prepare individuals for changes in advance.
Depending on the person, this may involve:
Visiting the home before admission
Meeting staff
Seeing their bedroom
Looking at photographs of the environment
Using visual information
Explaining what will happen
Introducing changes gradually
Maintaining familiar routines during the transition
Families and professionals who know the individual well can also provide valuable information about how best to manage transitions.
Positive Behaviour Support
Sometimes behaviour can be a form of communication.
A person may be trying to express:
Anxiety
Pain
Fear
Frustration
Sensory overload
Confusion
Difficulty communicating
Discomfort
An unmet need
Rather than focusing only on the behaviour itself, staff should try to understand why it may be happening.
Our approach aims to identify potential triggers, recognise early signs of distress and understand what strategies are helpful to the individual.
This may include:
Reducing environmental triggers
Providing reassurance
Offering a quieter environment
Adjusting communication
Supporting the person’s preferred routine
Allowing time and space
Reviewing whether the person may be in pain or unwell
The emphasis should always be on dignity, safety and the least restrictive approach appropriate to the person’s circumstances.
Promoting Independence
Supporting someone does not mean doing everything for them.
Where possible, our role is to help people maintain existing skills and develop new ones.
Depending on the individual, this may include support with:
Cooking
Shopping
Laundry
Cleaning
Personal care
Managing personal belongings
Budgeting
Communication
Travel
Appointments
Social interaction
Community activities
Tasks can be broken into smaller and more manageable steps.
For example, rather than staff preparing every meal independently, someone may be supported to choose what they would like, help prepare ingredients or participate in cooking according to their ability.
Progress should be measured according to the individual.
Something that appears like a small achievement to another person may represent a major step towards independence for the individual.
Daily Living and Self-Care
We support individuals with everyday living according to their assessed needs.
This can include assistance or prompting with:
Personal hygiene
Dressing
Oral care
Nutrition and hydration
Medication
Household tasks
Maintaining their bedroom
Laundry
Shopping
Attending appointments
The amount of assistance provided should reflect what the individual genuinely requires.
Where someone is able to complete part of a task independently, we aim to encourage and preserve that ability rather than unnecessarily taking over.
Community Access and Inclusion
Residential care should not mean living separately from the wider community.
Where appropriate, we support people to access local services, activities and opportunities.
These may include:
Shops
Cafés
Restaurants
Parks
Libraries
Leisure centres
Places of worship
Community groups
Social activities
Educational opportunities
Volunteering
Visiting family and friends
Local events and attractions
Community participation can help develop confidence, independence, relationships and a sense of belonging.
Activities should reflect the person’s actual interests rather than simply following a standard programme.
- Emotional Wellbeing
Emotional wellbeing is an important part of overall health.
People with autism or learning disabilities may sometimes experience anxiety, frustration, isolation or difficulty expressing how they feel.
Staff should get to know the individual’s usual presentation so that changes can be recognised.
Support may involve:
Regular key-worker discussions
Providing reassurance
Maintaining familiar routines
Supporting meaningful activities
Encouraging appropriate social interaction
Supporting contact with family and friends
Monitoring changes in mood or behaviour
Seeking professional advice where required
A person’s emotional wellbeing should be considered alongside their physical and practical care needs.
Family Involvement
Families often know an individual extremely well and may provide valuable information about:
Their history
Communication
Routine
Preferences
Behaviour
Sensory needs
Previous experiences
What helps when the person becomes anxious
Important relationships
Personal goals
Where appropriate and with consideration of the individual’s wishes and rights, we aim to maintain positive communication with families and representatives.
Families can also play an important role in care-plan reviews and discussions about the individual’s progress.
Multidisciplinary Working
Some individuals require support from several health and social care professionals.
Depending on their needs, this might include:
Social workers
GPs
Community nurses
Community mental health teams
Psychologists
Psychiatrists
Occupational therapists
Speech and language therapists
Physiotherapists
Dietitians
Learning disability teams
Other specialist services
Good communication between professionals can help provide more consistent and coordinated support.
Where appropriate, our team works collaboratively with the professionals involved in the individual’s care.
- Staff Knowledge and Development
The quality of support depends heavily on the people providing it.
Staff supporting autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities should understand the importance of:
Person-centred care
Autism awareness
Learning disability awareness
Communication
Sensory needs
Safeguarding
Mental capacity
Equality and dignity
Positive behaviour support
Medication safety
Mental health
Risk management
Training is only one part of good care.
Staff also need to understand the individual they are supporting.
A member of staff may have extensive general training, but they still need to learn how that particular person communicates, what matters to them and what support works best for them.
Choice, Control and Decision-Making
We believe individuals should be supported to have as much choice and control over their lives as possible.
This includes everyday decisions as well as more significant choices.
Where there are concerns about an individual’s ability to make a particular decision, the principles of the Mental Capacity Act should be respected.
People should not automatically be assumed unable to make decisions because they have autism, a learning disability or communication difficulties.
Where possible, people should be provided with appropriate support and accessible information to help them understand and participate in decision-making.
- Reasonable Adjustments
Sometimes relatively small changes can make a significant difference to someone’s experience.
Reasonable adjustments may involve changes to:
Communication
The physical environment
Appointment arrangements
Staff approach
Daily routines
Lighting
Noise levels
Information formats
Timing of activities
Personal space
The purpose of these adjustments is to remove unnecessary barriers and help the person participate more comfortably in everyday life.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment
Safety is important, but safety should be balanced with choice and independence.
An overly restrictive environment can reduce confidence and prevent people from developing important skills.
For this reason, support should consider both the benefits and potential risks of an activity.
Where possible, risks can be managed through appropriate planning rather than automatically preventing the person from participating.
This approach can help individuals safely develop greater independence.
What Good Support Can Achieve
The outcomes of good support will be different for every person.
Depending on the individual’s circumstances, personalised support may help someone achieve:
Reduced Distress
Understanding communication, sensory needs and potential triggers can help reduce avoidable situations that cause anxiety or distress.
Improved Communication
Consistent communication approaches can help individuals express their needs, choices and feelings more effectively.
Greater Confidence
Developing everyday skills and being involved in decisions can help build self-esteem and confidence.
Improved Daily Routines
Predictable and meaningful routines can help some individuals feel more comfortable and organised.
Greater Independence
With appropriate support, individuals may develop new skills and require less assistance in particular areas over time.
Increased Community Participation
Support can help individuals access activities, develop relationships and become more involved in their local community.
Safer Environments
Understanding the person and their needs can help identify and reduce unnecessary triggers and risks.
Improved Emotional Wellbeing
Feeling understood, respected and involved in decisions can contribute to a better overall quality of life.
Our Commitment
At AKM Care, our approach is based on five important principles:
Person-Centred Support
The individual remains at the centre of their care and support.
Respect and Dignity
Every person should be treated as an individual and with respect.
Safety and Quality
Support should be safely planned, regularly reviewed and responsive to changing needs.
Wellbeing and Inclusion
People should have opportunities to maintain relationships, participate in their community and pursue meaningful activities.
Empowerment and Choice
Individuals should be supported to express preferences, make choices and develop greater independence wherever possible.
A Home That Adapts Around the Person
At AKM Care, we do not believe that people should simply be expected to fit into a care service.
Where reasonably possible, the support should adapt around the individual.
That may mean changing how we communicate, adjusting the environment, providing additional structure, recognising sensory needs or changing the level of support as the person’s confidence and independence develop.
Our goal is to create an environment where people feel:
Safe.
Respected.
Understood.
Included.
Supported.
Empowered.
And, most importantly, where they are able to be themselves.
Looking for Autism or Learning Disability Support?
We welcome enquiries and referrals from:
Local Authorities
NHS teams
Social workers
Community Mental Health Teams
Learning Disability Teams
Hospital and discharge teams
Case managers
Healthcare professionals
Existing care providers
Families and representatives
Our team can discuss the individual’s needs, review referral information and arrange an assessment to determine whether we can provide an appropriate placement.
