GATEWAYS Support Service\u2019s new Education Around the Table program is helping young people living with a disability to overcome isolation while gaining valuable life skills.<\/p>\n
Prior to commencing with E.A.T, Kylie Donovan said a bad experience with another recreational program left her 13-year-old son Sebastian unwilling to have another go.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t want to connect with anyone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was quite anxiety-driven, and he would just lock himself in his room.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the bad experiences, Ms Donovan came across the E.A.T program online and instantly knew it would be a hit with her young \u2018foodie\u2019.<\/p>\n
Sebastian, who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, often dreams of becoming a chef and opening his own restaurant one day, with Ms Donovan hoping the program would play to her son\u2019s strengths and interests.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe likes to hit the kitchen with his uncle and make homemade sausages, so I figured let\u2019s try and get him along to a short session and see how he does,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Donovan recalls it being hard to draw Sebastian out of his room after 2020\u2019s COVID-19 restrictions left her son more isolated than ever as a result of not being able to go to school or attend football matches.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I noticed when I went to pick him up is that kids were talking to him and he was talking back and that never really happens,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe would talk about the kids during the week and what they had done and the games they played after cooking.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought we might have hit onto something when he called them his friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of the fortnightly E.A.T program participants can plan their menu, shop for ingredients, cook and enjoy their meal together.<\/p>\n
While being based at the Virginia Todd Centre in Geelong West participants also have the opportunity to play games, get to know each other and develop friendships.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact he is connecting is a big step,\u201d Ms Donovan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe kept repeating that he just felt safe, and that is a huge thing for him to not only feel that but say he felt that way.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs his mum, it is a relief for me that he may once again start participating in activities on a more regular basis now that he has a feeling of safety and security.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since entering the program Sebastian has participated in two other recreational programs during the school holidays and has begun his second E.A.T program.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to cook and I try to be really friendly,\u201d Sebastian said. \u201cI really try to have friends, but it doesn\u2019t work out; but I don\u2019t give up.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a result of the E.A.T program Ms Donovan said her son\u2019s enthusiasm had returned and he now looks forward to attending each session.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is super important he gets to be himself and not who he thinks people want him to be,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow he has a place where he is accepted and that is so important for all of us, we all need a little connection with community.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GATEWAYS Support Service\u2019s new Education Around the Table program is helping young people living with a disability to overcome isolation while gaining valuable life skills. Prior to commencing with E.A.T, Kylie Donovan said a bad experience with another recreational program left her 13-year-old son Sebastian unwilling to have another go. \u201cHe didn\u2019t want to connect […]<\/p>\n