Before receiving support from Autism Plus Specialist Employment Support, Daniel was struggling with managing his attendance at work, managing his daily duties and day to day life outside of work. Daniel would often feel overwhelmed and there were many times when he didn't feel like leaving the house.

Before receiving support from Autism Plus Specialist Employment Support, Daniel was in a cycle of absences from work and was at a stage where the continuation of Daniel’s employment was being considered as per the absence polices that are in place. Daniel would experience triggers both inside and outside work, but he was not recognising them as triggers. This affected Daniel’s ability to attend work, his attention and focus, as well as affecting life outside of work, resulting in not wanting to be sociable.

To assist Daniel in adjusting to the increased workload, our team implemented a structured coaching approach, that included clear and detailed instructions for tasks, breaking down large projects into manageable segments, and setting realistic deadlines. This approach ensured that Daniel was not overwhelmed and could focus on completing tasks efficiently. In addition to this, regular check-ins were established to monitor his progress and provide immediate support if necessary.

Furthermore, confidence building was a crucial aspect of the support provided to Daniel. We worked closely with him to identify his strengths and areas of improvement. Positive reinforcement and recognition of his accomplishments played a key role in boosting his self-esteem. As well as this, we engaged in role playing exercises to improve his interpersonal skills, which enhanced his confidence in both professional and social settings.

Regular meetings were held with Daniel’s line manager to ensure a coordinated approach to his support. These meetings served as a platform to discuss Daniel’s progress, address any concerns, and adapt strategies as needed. This collaborative effort helped in creating a supportive work environment tailored to Daniel’s needs.

We provided Daniel with various coping strategies and adjustments to help him manage the challenges he faced. These included:

• Implementing a sensory-friendly workplace to minimise distractions and enhance focus.
• Introducing time management tools and techniques to help him stay organised
• Providing access to stress-relief activities, such as short breaks or mindfulness activities

Advocating for Daniel was a priority. We communicated the importance of the adjustments to his employer, emphasising how they would not only benefit Daniel but also contribute to a more inclusive and productive workplace. By highlighting the positive impact of these strategies, we successfully gained the employer’s support in implementing them.

With the help and support from Autism Plus Specialist Employment Support, it has allowed Daniel to vastly improve his attendance through being able to discuss his concerns on a weekly basis and it has provided Daniel with the tools and strategies that can be put in place within the working day, to maintain not only his attendance, but also to achieve at work.

Through having these conversations with Daniel, and providing him with tools and strategies, Daniel has been able to develop skills at work and develop his confidence. This has led Daniel to being given opportunities through extra responsibilities and has led to Daniel enrolling on a work-based apprenticeship which will help him to progress further.