Luis has had the privilege of meeting some nice people who care about him and his well-being. One of those included a carer Luis really liked when we first moved to Cambridge, who has recently shared this with me.
For Luis
Working with Luis has been both a rewarding and challenging experience. He is an incredibly happy child, always smiling and laughing, which brings a wonderful energy to each session. However, as he is non-verbal, communication has been one of the biggest challenges. Understanding his needs, preferences, and emotions required patience, observation, and a lot of trial and error.
One of the most difficult aspects was identifying what he enjoyed. Since he couldn’t verbally
express his likes and dislikes, I had to rely on his reactions—his excitement, his engagement, and, of course, his beaming smile. When he was happy and fully involved in an activity, I knew we were on the right track. But there were also times when he was upset or unwell, and without words to explain what was wrong, it became a process of elimination to figure out how to comfort or support him.
Simple tasks that many take for granted became significant milestones for Luis. Kicking a ball, for example, was something that took time, practice, and persistence. There were moments when it felt like an impossible challenge, but the day he finally achieved it was unforgettable. The joy on his face and the pride I felt in that moment made every struggle and setback worthwhile.
Teaching Luis has reinforced the importance of patience, adaptability, and celebrating even the smallest victories. His journey is not just about learning but about finding ways to connect, understand, and support him in a way that allows him to thrive. While the challenges have been many, the reward of seeing him grow, engage, and accomplish tasks in his own time has been immeasurable.
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