CHAMPS ACADEMY Coaching Case Study
Bridging the Social Gap: An Inspiring Journey of a 14-year-old Girl with Autism Spectrum Condition
Every story has a beginning. For Rania, a bright 14-year-old girl, her life took an unexpected turn when she received a late diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).
The news was overwhelming for her mother, who found herself in uncharted territory, searching for ways to navigate this new reality.
Beyond the typical teenage angst and turbulence, Rania’s emotional meltdowns were alarming. More concerning was her retreat from social engagements. She started pulling away from her peers, isolating herself in an unseen shell – an agonising experience that left her feeling utterly alone.
In times of such distress, therapy is often recommended. But for Rania’s mother, there were reservations.
Would therapy be the best solution? A recollection sparked hope – she remembered how a family member with ADD benefited immensely from adult coaching designed to manage daily life hurdles associated with their condition.
It was worth exploring – could there be something similar for teens with Autism? That query set the wheels in motion one late night as Rania’s mother embarked on a quest for answers.!
Coaching Experience: In this journey towards improvement and self-awareness, it is vital to establish compatibility between the coach and the coachee. With Neurodiversity Coaching spearheaded by Annette, the first step was a no-obligation free trial taster session over Zoom or any other video platform of choice.
This preliminary meeting served to establish rapport and create a comfortable environment where Rania could relax and start opening up.
Distinctly and very different from conventional “therapy” or “counselling“ sessions, Annette encourages parental participation during these interactions if it helps settle any lingering apprehensions for the child or teenager involved.
Annette employs a laid-back yet practical approach in her coaching sessions that includes sharing useful tools designed to make individuals like Rania feel more at ease.
The trial session was a springboard for Rania, enabling her to explore the potential of practical and positive support that is tailored specifically to cater to her unique needs. It became a platform to build confidence and resilience.
This is what made ALL the difference!
S.P.E.C.T.R.M coaching formula, Rania began acquiring skills and strategies essential for navigating social scenarios. The accompanying resources provided in the personalised online members’ area served as a reassurance, enabling regular referencing and reinforcement of learned concepts.
The weekly personal assignments that came with each coaching session presented an opportunity for Rania to apply her newfound knowledge in real-life scenarios – a tangible, empowering process that showcased transformation in its developmental stage.
Annette’s Environment Behaviour Re-engineering (EBR)™️ process formed the backbone of the coaching sessions, equipping both parent and child with essential skills needed to adjust their environment – be it at home or school – along with behavioural adaptations.
A staunch believer in celebrating individuality rather than attempting to ‘fix’ someone, Annette’s approach focused on enhancing innate qualities while embracing challenges.
This journey has seen Rania make significant progress, particularly in the crucial social domain where she has begun forging stronger bonds with her classmates. These improvements were helped by gentle support from her school environment.
Social Confidence is Getting Easier!
Now, instead of spending lunch breaks alone hiding away in the toilets as she did before, Rania joins one girl from her class who shares similar interests. The two have found common ground – a starting point for meaningful conversations.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing though; there have been moments of resistance when Rania felt fatigued or uncooperative. But thanks to Annette’s expert guidance and support during these setbacks, both Rania and her mother have learned how to effectively and easily manage such situations.
Progress is indeed a process – some changes become apparent swiftly while others take time due to their cumulative nature.
But through Neurodiversity Coaching, it becomes easier to spot improvements, however subtle they might be.
Parent’s Perspective:
“Words often fall short when trying to express my emotions about Rania’s progress.
“Watching my daughter begin to smile again and hearing her talk about her new friend has left me speechless”!
“It’s something I could only hope for in the past, but didn’t really see a way to make it possible after Rania struggling so desperately and feeling incredibly lonely.
The magnitude of this transformation truly hit home when we arranged for Rania’s new friend to come over for a few hours during the holidays”.
“I have to admit to being very nervous… but with guidance from Annette on how to prepare both Rania and the environment while also maintaining an appropriate distance, to my relief and extreme pride this meet-up turned out to be a resounding success”.
“The journey is ongoing and at times an emotional struggle, but there is comfort in knowing that both Rania and I are equipped with strategies and tools provided through Annette’s neurodiversity coaching“.
“This assurance gives me confidence about Rania’s future as she transitions into adulthood and beyond”.
“The practical approach offered by Annette for young people with autism or other neurodivergent needs has proven to be immensely positive. By embracing the challenges and adjusting the environment and behaviour, it paves the way for individuals like my daughter to thrive in society, reigniting passions once blocked by lack of confidence, like Rania’s musical talent that she had given up on, but now she’s finding her way back to what she loves to do and is so talented at, thank you Annette”!
Conclusion:
Rania’s journey is more than just a case study; it’s a testament to resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
