Helping families with children who have special needs

Case Histories

Grants for Respite Care

Some case histories of children we have recently helped

Children’s names have been changed to preserve their anonymity. Click on the title or the + symbol to expand the detail for each case.

Jonny's Story

Jonny has Coffin Lowry Syndrome with severe learning difficulties and severe communication delay. He relies on adults for all his care needs and has no awareness of danger so needs constant supervision. He is unsteady on his feet and has feeding issues.

Jonny is full of energy and is non-stop! Mum struggles to cope after school as Jonny finds the transition from school to home difficult. He cannot be left alone for 1 second and so Mum used the CHAT grant for after school care so that she was free to cook dinner and have help to take Jonny to the park.

Sam's Story

Sam is 8 years old and has cerebral palsy affecting all four limbs. He is unable to sit or walk unaided. He needs help feeding and with most daily tasks. He has visual impairment. He uses a buggy and is reliant on hoists. The family had not received any statutory help before CHAT became involved. When Sam underwent surgery on his hips his mother decided she needed extra help in the post-op period. CHAT granted care to enable his mother to take a break from her full time caring role in this period.

Mark's story

Mark has a rare genetic condition resulting in low muscle tone. He has profound learning difficulties and is non-verbal. He needs constant 1 to 1 supervision. The family asked for help during the summer holidays and CHAT funded some days at a holiday club which provided Mark with a safe environment and new experiences whilst being safely cared for. Mum appreciated the respite that this offered.

Andy's Story

Andy has Autism, ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing disorder and communication difficulties. CHAT funded some 1 to 1 drumming lessons which helped support his emotional and social well-being and increase his self-esteem.

Chloe's Story

Chloe has ADHD and ASD. She also has a sibling with high complex needs and experiences a lot of dysregulation in the home. CHAT enabled her to attend a few sessions at a horse therapy centre to help support her emotional wellbeing in a safe environment.

Daisy's Story

Daisy is autistic and struggles with sensory processing and is non-verbal. She has a very restricted diet. She does not like leaving the house without her mum and the only place she loves and is happy without her mum is her school. Consequently, CHAT funded some time at the holiday club run in Daisy’s school where she gained a little independence away from the family home. This enabled the family to do things that Daisy doesn’t enjoy and allowed mum to have quality time with her son as well as go shopping without Daisy becoming distressed.

Next: Parent Testimonials