Case Study – Staff – Casey

Before Appeer

I wasn’t diagnosed as autistic until I was 15 years old, and this is still considered early for a female. I have had a few jobs during and after school years, but I didn’t have any support in them, one even triggered a 2 year long burnout.  I started working for Appeer in 2021 and this was only once a month at our Monthly Teen Group. I also did a few of the Monthly Girls Groups. I was still coming out of burnout when I started working but I was able to carry on because of the support I received from Jo and the whole team.

My role at Appeer

My role has changed quite a few times since being at Appeer because Appeer have made  accommodations to ensure that I can do the job to the best of my ability. I had never heard the term ‘reasonable adjustments’ before working for Appeer and I wasn’t sure what that meant. I was shown that things could be done to help me access work and feel safe in the work environment and I had never had that before. I started as a Facilitator at the Monthly Teen Group and only worked once a month but now I work two Groups a month and I am now called the Neurodiversity Facilitator. In this role I create resources to for our Teens and Girls to help them support themselves. I also run a “Chill and Chat” sessions within the Monthly Teen Group which is popular. I share my lived experience with the parent/carers, assist at our Alternative Provision and I help give outreach training to schools and external organisations.

Learning

I have learnt so much being at Appeer, not just about myself but about the neurodiverse community. Being given training on PDA and ADHD made me realise that these are also conditions that I have which have allowed me to look at my life in a more positive way and accept who I am. I have learnt new strategies to coping with being overwhelmed. All in all feel like I have found my people and I have colleagues who want to support me which allows me to do my job and support our girls, teens and parent/carers the best I can.

All my “Reds” and things I find challenging

●      Public speaking

●      Crowds

●      Being in charge

●      Talking to people I don’t know

●      Holding a conversation

●      Doing tasks on time

What reds have now turned into greens

All these reds are now green, and I can do them all with confidence because of Appeer! They have allowed me to find what kind of way of working suits me and has allowed me to flourish into the person I am today. I used to struggle with coming into work, getting tasks done and talking to people but now these are all things I do with ease.