Individual Interview with A A  

Have you participated until now to any activity for independent living?

 A A is an 18-year-old boy with moderate mental retardation and disorders on the Autism spectrum that prevents children from achieving academically and interferes with their social development. 

His special education started at the age of 2.5 years. A A has difficulty understanding abstractions, a common language disability that makes it difficult to learn to read and to acquire basic skills, Over the years, he got help with logotherapy to eliminate a stutter, in writing to help him with letter formation, and physical education to make him stronger. 

He went to kindergarten and then to mainstream school. He had difficulty in counting, making simple analogies and differentiating between objects. His teacher, suggested to A A’s parents to offer their son parallel support by a special education teacher paid by them.

A A. wanted to improve his eye/hand coordination so he could play sports like all his peers in school. The physical education teacher helped him to improve his abilities. When activities were being performed correctly, A A. reported that he “was becoming more skilled with the activities”

His new-discovered ability to kick the ball encouraged him to be more adventurous and play in different positions in the game. His parents reported that their son got more self-confident and was able to play other games including basketball surprising everyone with his skills, as this was something that he and others around him could not perceive him doing. 

His high school teacher trained in learning daily life skills for students with mental disabilities, worked closely with A A‘s parents to develop and perform his autonomous living abilities 

So now A A possesses 

• Good hygiene and personal care skills 
• Basic skills to perform daily cleaning duties (set the table, wash dishes, sweep, mop, make the bed, etc
• Good communication skills, although he still needs assistance to initiate and participate in a discussion

Who do you leave with? How is your day organized? What are your main activities in the day at home

A.A  lives with his family (mother, father and brother) From 8.00 a.m. until 1.00 p.m. he attends the High Vocational Training School where he gets theoretical and practical training in gardening activities and continues training in independent daily living skills.

In the afternoon, he helps his mother to set the table, wash dishes, sweep and mop the house. Twice a week he goes to training to perfect his basketball skills and every Saturday he plays basketball with his brother and his friends. He likes drawing landscapes and he plays electronic games with his brother

Sometimes on weekends, he goes with his family to the countryside to help his father with agricultural work. During the week, he goes shopping with his mother 

How do your parents, family, and friends support you in doing everyday activities? How do you want them to support you?

In the morning, the mother accompanies him to school, while for the training there is help from his brother or other relatives. Generally family is very supportive of things and activities cant be performed by him alone. He appreciates this help and wants them to continue supporting him until he is in a position to manage by himself, including independent living, and access to leisure and work. Ultimately he wishes to be able and have the financial means to live independently, although he would like to have them always close and supportive.

What do you usually do at home? And outside of the home? What do you want to do more? What new        thing do you want to learn

When he is at home he is usually helping with housework or does paintings which he likes a lot. During the week he goes shopping with his parents and once a week he goes basketball with his friends. Most of the activities he does are with friends or his family. He wished could be more independent when it comes to transportation and doing things without being dependent on others either for leisure or work. 

Do you have the opportunity to live outside your parent’s house? Have you done it until now? Do you want to?

So far he has never lived away from his family. He stated that for now, he does not even want to, the reason being the uncertainty and the perceived difficulties of doing so. However, he aspires to live with his girlfriend in a house close perhaps to his family. He believes that with appropriate training this is very possible although he recognizes that under the circumstances this would not be an easy task. 

If you want to, how do you imagine it? With whom do you want to live? How do you imagine your apartment to look like? What do you need to be fully functional according to your needs?

He aspires to live with his girlfriend in an apartment, fully equipt with all modern facilities, preferably close to his family. He would prefer a house with a garden so he can plant flowers and enjoy free time. For him, a home should be accessible, functional full of modern amenities, and utilize all modern technology to make life easy and comfortable.

What would you like to be part of the guide which we will create? What will be your recommendation?

Include instructions on stress and emergencies management 

Give details and describe in a simple and yet inclusive way how to renovate a house or apartment so it can be fully accessible and functional according to different disabilities

Provide instructions and guidelines on independent living including tips and instructions for daily tasks

You should be able to find up-to-date information on technical aids and their use