Supported Independent Living
From restriction to independence Shane's story
Two years ago, Shane needed two support workers with him at all times and rarely left the house. Today he goes to cafés, walks regularly, visits his family and has started chair yoga. This is how Shane, his family, his support workers and Myxa got there together.
Where Shane started
Shane has an intellectual disability, autism and difficulties with executive functioning, which affect things like planning, goal setting and waiting for rewards. He enjoys music, walks and time with his family.
For many years, Shane's life was shaped by restriction. Because of a long history of behaviours of concern, he was on a Supervised Treatment Order and needed intensive support to keep himself and others safe. At one point he had 2:1 support at all times, including active overnight support.
Outings were limited and closely controlled. Shane would often try to leave, could become aggressive toward staff and members of the public, and found it very hard to manage his emotions, so every outing carried a lot of risk. Going out was about keeping everyone safe, not about enjoying himself.
Shane was also socially isolated. He had few chances to build friendships, do things he found meaningful or have any independence. Simple things like visiting a café, going for a walk, shopping or travelling into the community needed a lot of planning and supervision. Changes in staff or routine made him very anxious, and he found it hard to trust the people around him.
One team around Shane
Shane's progress over the past two years has come from everyone working together: Shane himself, his family, his allied health professionals, his behaviour support practitioner, his support workers and Myxa.
Myxa brought that team together around one approach, based on Positive Behaviour Support and a trauma-informed way of working. Myxa kept a stable group of support workers on his shifts, made sure each of them knew his plan, and kept his family involved and informed along the way.
Building trust
Trust didn't happen quickly. Shane had struggled with new faces and changes to his routine for a long time, so the team focused on consistency: the same workers, a predictable day, and a calm, patient approach.
Over time, Shane built stronger and more stable relationships with his support team. He now responds warmly to familiar staff, joins in activities with them and is more willing to try new things when someone he trusts is beside him. That consistency has helped Shane feel safer, more secure and better understood.
Fewer incidents, more opportunities
As Shane felt more settled, his behaviours of concern became less frequent and less intense. Challenges still happen, but where incidents once occurred several times a day, they are now far less common.
That change opened up opportunities that wouldn't have been considered before. The focus of his support has gradually moved away from managing crises and toward building skills, offering choice and helping him take part in everyday life.
Out in his community
Shane is now out in his community regularly, doing things he enjoys. He goes to cafés, visits his family, goes for regular walks, listens to his music, takes part in chair yoga and goes on outings to places he likes. Bit by bit, he is adding new activities to his week.
On paper these might look like small things. For Shane, they mean more freedom, more inclusion and more choice about how he spends his days.
Shane's health
One of Shane's biggest achievements has been his health. When this stage of his support began, he weighed about 187 kilograms. Walking was hard, he tired quickly and he had several health problems linked to his weight.
Planning ahead and working toward long-term goals can be hard for Shane, so his support workers helped him build healthier habits one day at a time: encouraging healthier meals, setting up a daily walking routine and supporting him to make good choices. Today Shane weighs about 138 kilograms, a loss of almost 50 kilograms.
The credit belongs to Shane as much as anyone. Every walk he finished and every healthier choice he made added up. He now moves more easily, has more stamina and takes part in more activities, and activities that used to wear him out are now part of his normal routine. His confidence has grown along with his health.
Planning what comes next
The conversations about Shane's future have changed. A few years ago, the main focus was keeping him and others safe. Now his care team, his family and Myxa are talking about further step-downs in his support, more independence and new skills.
It hasn't been easy. There have been setbacks and hard periods along the way, and it has taken patience from everyone involved. But Shane has kept moving forward, and his team is still working alongside him on the next stage.
