Do's and Don'ts Just for Now

The team needs to spend some time developing and agreeing upon a consistent response for each time that Patrick begins to exhibit the concerning behaviour. i.e. could use any of these; humour, singing, ignoring, distracting, giving in. (develop this strategy "Do's and Dont's Just For Now")

Do....

Do.... Offer Patrick extra activities, see his weekly opportunity plan for ideas and record his responses. For other times start with these things.

Do.... Sing his favourite song whenever you hear Patrick start humming, learn to use the Richmond Tigers Club song, then initiate the activities starting at 1) then 2) then 3) then 4)

1) Offer Patrick a set of community request cards for flicking

2) Offer the toaster and bread at any time of the day

3) Make Patrick a eucalyptus and honey drink that he can smell and sip quietly.

4) Take Patrick for a swing outside, take his hand and lead him outside, with his honey and lemon drink.

Do.... Restrict the times that Patrick is comes near A(Resident) at any time of the day

Do.... Keep Patrick separate from the other residents in the afternoons and evenings. Remind Patrick to watch TV in his room.

Do.... Prompt Patrick to choose a location to eat his dinner, and help him to set his own table.

Do.... Offer Patrick alternative activities if any of the above strategies fail, such as sorting his family photos and putting them into albums, 

Do.... try humour to break a mood, like "pull my finger" and making a fart noise, try dress-ups like feather boas and glasses, dancing to music like "Time Warp" or "I will Survive".

Do.... Nominate yourself to be the worker that works closely with Patrick if you believe you have the closer bond.

Do.... Prompt and reward all the other residents for keeping their voices down, reward at the rate of one tic-tac, one joke or  one silly song, for every 10 minutes of using "inside voices"

Don't...... 

Don't...... Forget, Patrick needs to be kept moving to increase his activity level, offer him a walk time every day.

Don't...... Allow Patrick's anxiety levels to rise, keep him calm by spending 20 minutes in his recliner chair with magazines and then 20 minutes listening to CD's and alternating between these activities in the afternoons

Don't...... Raise your voice, especially if Patrick has pinched someone or has hit someone, shouting causes greater anxiety for Patrick. Ignore any undesirable behaviour, do not talk about what has happened. Give one-on-one attention in his room until he regain a calm state.

Don't...... Stop observing behaviour, record Patrick's behaviour and activity when self soothing. 

Don't...... Stop backing each other up, give feedback. Support and encouragement are essential to keep your spirits up and keep a strong resolve to keep going.