Case Study – Poppy's Experience.

Poppy has attended our Alternative Provision, is now back in school and coming along to our Monthly Teen Group.

Background

Poppy came to us at 11, having struggled with school attendance for several years. She was newly diagnosed as Autistic. Despite her, her parent's and her new school’s best efforts, her attendance had collapsed by the October half term of year 7. Her parents and school put in a joint application for an EHCP by Christmas. Poppy's mental health had deteriorated to the point that she was in complete burnout and could not leave the house or communicate with others. Her mother had left work to support her. Her family were told there was a wait of 2 years to be seen by CAMHS. Her family approached Appeer saying they felt there was nowhere else to go and that no-one else knew what to do – they felt at breaking point.

Initial Steps

Poppy's family arranged for her to be in the room during Appeer’s gaming and virtual sessions – a Roblox/ Minecraft Session. This allowed her to meet an Appeer facilitator, in the safety of her own home, without feeling the pressure of any demands on her. Having met the facilitator, she agreed to “check out” the Appeer weekday group to see what she thought.

First AP Session

Arriving at our setting for the first time, Poppy was unable to leave the car. Appeer staff met with her in the car park, normalised the situation, and built a rapport with her – with no perceived demands or expectations that she needed to do anything at all. The chat lasted ten minutes, and the family left, with Poppy being told that Appeer looked forward to having a chat next week, if she was free and fancied coming along.

Bumps along the way

Progress in these situations is not linear, but can present like waves with the tide coming in.  Poppy took the "anniversary" of being out of school for a year very badly and saw herself as a failure; and had a mental health crisis. She was aware of the milestones her peers were reaching; and hated that she wasn’t able to do that too.  She feared for her future and her self esteem was at rock bottom. Appeer worked with Poppy to role model that there are other girls who have been out of the school; but they are okay, intelligent, still very important and have good lives. Being around other girls who experience difficulties, helped her realise she is not alone, even in her darkest time. At other times, she saw girls experience difficult times. Poppy made healthy friendships where she is not the "odd one" and she saw and learned how other girls self-advocate and deal with challenging situations. 

AP session at time of leaving Appeer

Poppy was a popular and vocal member of the peer group at our Weekday Group.  She saw peers from the group socially, and would meet up with them (scaffolded by parents) and try different activities in the community – dog walks, escape rooms and even theme parks! Her parents felt that her having a peer group who “got it” enabled her to try new things, as she had the safety net of peers who understood and would be doing it with her. Her confidence grew, and she felt able to do more.  When a trial session at a new school was offered Poppy said, “I’ll go and even if the other’s don’t like me, E and R are my friends, and know the real me, so it doesn’t really matter what others think, right mum?”

Next Steps

Poppy is now in full time in a school environment that can meet her needs.  Her attendance after the first term currently stands at 100%. Her new school report that she is able to self advocate, not just when things are going wrong, but with an understanding of what steps may help a situation become accessible and manageable for her. Poppy is still in touch with her friendship group that she made at our Weekday Group and see’s them socially. Most importantly, her parents report that she is happy, that she knows and likes herself and is looking forward to the future.