Andreas: Help for Autistic Families in Slovakia

For parents without parents is a project, that gives parents of children with autism an opportunity to gain new strengths. In Autistic center Andreas we organize short time stays for children with autism. During that time their parents can devote their time and energy to their own hobbies and activities.

Since October 2014 to January 2015 we had organized fourteen two-day stays for eight grown-up "children" with autism

Michal needs help

My name is Filip. My younger brother Michal (22 years) suffers from severe autism spectrum disorder combined with physical disability. He needs assistance at all times, mostly from his family members. He needs help with most of the basic daily activities ranging from clothing to brushing his teeth. He is able to move independently, but only in wheelchair or on all four. He is able to walk short distance only with the assistance of another person. Eating, drinking and a bit paradoxically operating electronic devices, such as radios, computers and tablets, are among those activities he is able to do independently.

Taking care for Michal is difficult for various reasons. As every person, also Michal is sometimes in a good mood and sometimes in a bad mood. He does not communicate as other people, so it's sometimes difficult to discern the reason of the discontent he shows freely without any constraints. It is often the case that his discontent grows into aggression (luckily usually only verbal aggression). In such moments staying close to him demands a lot of patience and self-control.

Michal also likes company and attention of other people, as long as they fulfil his criteria. It is difficult to find activity that would interest him for a longer period of time lately; though it was not a problem in the recent past. He came to like long walks; sometimes he demands them three times a day.

I guess it is not necessary to point out the amount of time a man must make to fulfil his demands, even partially. It is understandable that my parents, as well as the rest of the family, welcomed the opportunity to let Michal stay overnight in Autistic centre Andreas few times a month. Combined with daily care of educators and therapists in this centre it is a big help. I am personally convinced that it has also negligible educational effect - even more so given the fact that Michal likes to sleep over there, it is not something he has to be forced into.