Much-needed couch time

Joseph needs safe spaces to regulate, relax and enjoy life. Prior to Satan’s Little Helper, those spaces could be isolating – but, thanks to the gift of a modular play couch, his much-needed couch time has brought new a sense of joy.

“Joseph’s been through so much,” says his mum Helen, with emotion showing in her voice. “I don’t often talk about it, so it can be difficult when I do.”

Joseph has struggled with his health his whole life. When he was younger, he required a heart operation and is constantly seeing specialists for a range of other complications.

“As well as his heart problems, he’s also hearing impaired,  and has Down syndrome, ADHD and is autistic – which means he often needs extended sensory breaks and a safe place to regulate.”

Learning his own way

Now 14 years old, Joseph has faced a lot of disruption due to factors outside his control.

“He’s tried two high schools, but mainstream schooling isn’t viable for him. Now he’s distance learning, which is working a lot better – because tasks such as going out the house require him to have significant processing time when he gets back.”

His school years were also marked by frequent absences due to illness, which created isolation from other students.

“His day-to-day would often consist of recovering from appointments, as he’d become overwhelmed and unable to process everything,” explains Helen.

Joseph is extremely social but often finds himself on the fringes because of his complex needs, which removes a lot of the fun from his life, says Helen.

“It takes lots of opportunity, positive feedback and breaking tasks down for him to feel comfortable engaging. He also gets very nervous, which is common in people with Down syndrome.”

In pursuit of happiness

Understandably, Helen is keen to make sure his natural joy and happiness are given the conditions to flourish. For Joseph, that means making his home environment as fun as possible.

Because of his sensory processing requirements, Helen suggested a modular couch would be the perfect way to give Joseph a safe, inclusive place to take a break and regulate his feelings.

“As we speak, he’s turned the couch into a little movie theatre for himself. It’s amazing seeing him take joy in little moments like that.

“It’s also important because Joseph enjoys using the couch to build different configurations and it’s brilliant that he can do fun things while taking a break, instead of having to go somewhere more isolating – such as his room.”

Helen says it’s also been great for their relationship, as it allows them to be present in the same room more often – plus, Joseph will often put her to work helping move sections of the couch around.

“It has been a priceless way for us to bond and enjoy each other’s company in a way that isn’t me taking him to hospital or for check-ups that he doesn’t enjoy.”

The best type of couch time

The couch is also encouraging Joseph to self-regulate, as it provides a space that he enjoys being in, and Helen says it’s shown her an additional window into his personality.

“It’s such a simple, but amazing benefit.”

The couch has also been useful during times of change – such as the seasons going from spring to summer. Joseph takes a while to get used to new things, such as increased temperature, but Helen says the couch was a vital tool for them.

“We moved it under a tree, so he could be in the shade but still experience the warmer weather. It really helped him acclimatise to summer and reduce the disruption for him.”

Often small tools can have an impact beyond what is originally anticipated and, for Joseph, the couch is certainly doing that.