Malcom* has lived in out of home care for a number of years with highly committed carers who love and adore them.
He has been struggling with crippling mental health and wellbeing that was significantly impacted by COVID lockdowns and home schooling. He was essentially housebound and unable to tolerate interaction with the community from the ages of 9 to 11 years.
In 2023 and 2024, new MacKillop Case Manager Page held hope when it felt difficult. Page advocated to Child Protection that it was not acceptable for Malcom to be missing out on so many opportunities to enjoy life, and stepped in, rebuilding a team of allied health practitioners to build his capacity to tolerate new people, and being separated from their carer to attend appointments.
Malcom’s confidence grew and his autonomy and sense of self strengthened. He changed to a school that was more neuro-affirming and – after not accessing school for two years - began to attend school each day. Malcom began attending the local basketball with his carer and built relationships and friendships within the local basketball club.
The basketball club began planning for an overseas trip to America and Canada to compete in tournaments, and Malcom’s carer was one of the adults required to attend. Malcom expressed that he wanted to attend as well. His carer paid for the trip for Malcom to go on the trip with the team and began collaboratively working with Page and the care team to build visual aids, maps, safety plans, transition plans and other resources to support his confidence in attending.
Psychoeducation was provided to Malcom to assist in understanding his ASD level 2 diagnosis, and allied health staff united with Page and the carer to build on his emotional literacy and intelligence, to support better regulation for Malcom.
The three-week trip went amazingly well. Malcom was completely outside of his comfort zone, but with the support of his carer, teammates and allied health, he attended and enjoyed their big adventure!
Malcom went to an NBA game and was ecstatically cheering on the team and encouraging others to cheer along too. The environment was loud with large crowds, which he would have previously avoided, but this didn't stop Malcom from enjoying his time and getting involved. While away, Malcom tried different foods, seafood, and cuisines that he would generally avoid due to the texture or the taste. He tried crab and clam chowder for the first time. Of course, his carer was incredibly encouraging and supported Malcom along the way to feel brave and experience different things.
The immense growth Malcom has shown on this trip has been unbelievable for the carer and care team. Malcom was a child who, at the beginning of 2024, would not go out into a crowded area and would be restricted by their fears. With the support of the emotional and physical safety of his peers, carer and community, Malcom was able to break through those fears and achieve a dream.
*Name changed for privacy