Stewart

Stewart is currently 16 years old, in S5 and attends Stanmore House School, where he has been a pupil since 2021. Stewart lives at home with his family.

Stewart is part of a large, caring family. He lives with his Mum and Dad, his brother and two sisters. He also has a wide extended family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, whom he sees regularly and is very fond of. At home, he also enjoys the company of his dog and two cats.

Stewart is a cheerful and sociable young man who enjoys laughter and interacting with others, engaging in playful humour and pranks. He has developed strong, positive relationships with both peers and adults. He particularly enjoys talking about his family, spending time on the floor, and engaging with long or stretchy objects, which he often prefers to hold on to. Stewart benefits from the use of pictures and symbols to support his understanding of daily routines, however he also understands spoken language and responds through responses such as smiling, laughing, or frowning. He communicates his feelings through facial expressions and vocalisations.

Stewart is currently in the Senior Phase at Stanmore House School. He has worked towards several SQA National 1 qualifications and, with appropriate support, accesses a broad and balanced curriculum.

He has also participated in wider achievement awards, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (currently working towards Gold), Gold Rights Respecting Schools (RRS), and the Silver Reading Schools Award.

Stewart is seen in school by the onsite Occupational Therapist, with the aim of removing barriers that prevent Stewart from engaging in activities of daily living. Occupational Therapy works closely alongside education staff to develop creative strategies that support Stewart to access and engage in education. Stewart has been making progress in both gross and fine motor skills, showing increased concentration and improved motor planning skills when operating a stacker toy, with these skills now transferring into the classroom. Stewart is given a choice of activities during his therapy sessions, all of which work towards the same overall goals, allowing him to develop independence and take the lead in his sessions.

The onsite Speech and Language Therapist also sees Stewart regularly and together with the school staff and his family has devised a communication book for him to communicate with others. The SLT also looks after his Eating and Drinking skills and liaises with other medical professionals regarding this.