Progress isn`t always marked by giant leaps. More often, it lives in everyday victories. ๐
At Treehouse, our home-style environment gives neurodivergent young adults a calm, supportive space to learn and grow at their own pace.
Recently, weโve had a strong focus on daily living activities, with supported individuals taking the lead on household tasks like cooking and cleaning alongside our Wellbeing Practitioners.
The impact of this approach speaks for itself:
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Stronger steps towards independent living
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A heightened sense of responsibility and genuine pride in daily achievements
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Boosted confidence to navigate day-to-day life autonomously.
When neurodivergent young adults are supported in a low-arousal, bespoke environment tailored to their needs, daily routines turn into stepping stones toward life-changing goals.
Interested in learning more about Treehouse?
๐ Clink the link in our bio and head to our website to find out more.
Starting higher education is a major milestone, and transitioning into university life can come with unique challenges for many neurodivergent students. ๐
With the new university term just around the corner, students will soon be starting fresh routines, navigating busy environments and a whole new set of expectations.
@gracejeanblog, an Advisory Board member at Donaldson`s and an autistic university student herself, shares her personal top tips for making the transition to uni life a success. ๐
Drawing directly from her lived experience, she covers everything from navigating the uni social life to managing sensory burnout.
Whether you`re a neurodivergent student yourself, a parent supporting a young adult or a professional in higher education, Grace`s story offers a grounded, honest and reassuring perspective. ๐
Read Grace`s full blog post on our website. Click the link in our bio and head to News and Views.
At Gate, we know that wellbeing looks different for everyone. Thatโs why weโre always looking at ways to give the people we support opportunities to relax, recharge and try new experiences. ๐ฅฐ
Recently, Learning and Wellbeing Practitioner, Felicity, facilitated her first yoga session in Gate. The session focused on gentle yin yoga movements, stretching, mindful breathing and simple adaptations so everyone could join in a way that felt comfortable for them.
Felicity shared how yoga can help release the tension that many of us carry in our bodies when we feel worried or stressed. ๐งโโ๏ธ
"For the people we support, having the option to put aside all their worries and problems for a little while is part of their wellbeing experience – yoga is just another step on the way."
One thing that stood out was how naturally everyone approached the practice without putting pressure on themselves. Some individuals enjoyed exploring different postures, while others found comfort in simply sitting in stillness – and both approaches were equally valuable.
โTeaching people who are new to yoga is a real joy,โ Felicity shared. โIt tells me so much about individuals, their personalities, their characters and what they really need from their practice.โ
๐ Click the link in our bio and head to our website to find out more about Gate and the support we provide.
We are pleased to share that our CEO, Lynn Wassell, and Head of Learning Services, Angela Evans, will be speaking at @knowledgeexchange_groupโs Additional Support for Learning Scotland Conference in Edinburgh on Thursday 17th September.
Lynn will join a panel discussion on improving multi agency collaboration, speaking about how schools, parents, local authorities, and health services can best work together to ensure positive outcomes for all children.
Angela will be discussing how we can understand and provide targeted support for learners with Additional Support Needs across a variety of educational settings.
Register online at www.holyroodinsight.com to hear from Lynn and Angela at the conference in Edinburgh.
๐ 20% discount code: spkr5329
#ASLScotlandHI
It`s Fundraising Friday! ๐ฅณ
This October, turn your miles into opportunities by taking on the Great Scottish Run for The Donaldson Trust.
Whether you`re taking on the 10K or the half marathon, your support will help create opportunities for neurodivergent children, young people and adults to thrive.
Sign up, join the #DonaldsonClan, and be part of a community that`s making a lasting difference – one step at a time. ๐ฃ
๐ Visit the link in our bio to find out more and register today!
A familiar face in a brand-new space! ๐
At The Donaldson Trust, true neuro-inclusion starts with creating environments where every individual feels safe, valued and understood. That vision is brought to life by our colleagues, which is why weโre thrilled to introduce the Sensational Learning Centreโs newest team member โ Edith!
You may remember Edith from her time working supply in our Bistro last year. Now, sheโs returning to campus to step in to a brand-new role as a Learning and Wellbeing Practitioner.
And what better way to introduce her than by sharing her personal Dopa-menu! ๐
Just as a menu offers different choices to satisfy different tastes, a Dopa-Menu is a customised framework of activities that boost dopamine, support regulation and overall makes you happy.
Much like her time serving in the Bistro, Edithโs menu is all about creating comfort and connection โ and sheโs bringing her warm, open approach straight into her practitioner toolkit.
Please join us in giving Edith a warm welcome back to Donaldsons! ๐
Last night, Channel 4 aired their documentary: "The Great ADHD Myth?โ
We welcome informed and evidence-based discussion about ADHD and the support available to neurodivergent people. The media has an important role to play in improving understanding of neurodivergence and encouraging constructive debate about how people access assessment, diagnosis and support.
However, we are concerned that The Great ADHD Myth did not offer a balanced view of ADHD and lived experience. There is a risk that viewers may come away questioning whether ADHD is a real condition, despite ADHD being recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the NHS and leading clinical bodies as a neurodevelopmental difference.
Click the link in our bio and head to "News & Views" to read our full response. ๐ฌ
When mainstream school became a challenge, one young person in our Vibe service found their turning point through music. ๐ถ
Author and Creative Writing Tutor, Iain McKinnon, took a personalised approach – using the young person`s passion for the guitar to teach lyric structure and storytelling. What started as quiet songwriting sessions quickly transformed into the young person achieving their National 3 qualifications, a spot at music college and performing live on stage!
As Iain put it:
"These young people who had disconnected from school are now engaging with things they are truly passionate about, and they`re succeeding."
This story is a powerful reminder of what happens when young people get a safe space to rediscover their confidence and find their voice. ๐ฃ
๐ Click the link in our bio and head to our website to read the full story.
