Barnaby, 13, regularly attends Garden Explorers at Thrive, Reading during the school holidays. He enjoys being outdoors at home, where he gardens with his nanny and mows the lawn, so the holiday club is a natural fit for him.
Barnaby is autistic and has ADHD. He can find it difficult to talk to people he has not met before and may feel apprehensive about going somewhere new. But with time and the right support, his confidence has grown, and he has become more relaxed in the garden with others.
I am always nervous before, but have a good time when I am there,
says Barnaby
To help him feel welcome and comfortable in his surroundings, we began with a walk around the garden, identifying different areas and introducing people. In the classroom, we chose his locker, added his name to it and talked about the day’s activities and the choice of tasks. He receives one-to-one support with the same volunteer each session using calm verbal communication and demonstrations to help his understanding.
In our garden, Barnaby particularly enjoys planting, using different tools and building bug hotels. He records his experiences in a diary along with photos to help him remember the day and to share it with his family.
His practitioner says it has been a pleasure to see him relax, have fun and take pride in what he has achieved.
“As we have got to know Barnaby better, we have tailored his activities and conversations to things he really enjoys,” his practitioner reflects. “When we saw how interested he was in insects, we included tasks like pond dipping, bug hotels and turning the compost. He was thrilled when he found a small newt in the pond and a grass snake in the leaf mould.”
With support, Barnaby can share ideas, take turns and play games, and when engaged in the garden, his expressive language flows. Barnaby wants others with Autism and ADHD to know that when it comes to gardening, “anyone can do it”.
