How a communication tablet is opening doors for Josh

When Josh first moved into his home two years ago, the only word he consistently used was “no”. His use of words is very limited and this can make it difficult for his support team to fully understand his needs, preferences and emotions.

The team supporting Josh could see that there was more he wanted to say. They tried using picture cards to offer him choices – for example, around food and drink – but they still only offered Josh a limited number of choices. That’s when the team explored the use of assistive technology and applied for funding through FitzRoy’s Above and Beyond Fund.

Josh now has a communication tablet and after only a week and a half of using it, it’s already making a huge difference.

The tablet has been set up in a simple and accessible way, so it’s easy for Josh to use. It includes pictures of drinks, meals, and staff members. He can use it to build short sentences, like “Hello, my name is Josh.” He can choose who he wants to spend time with or point to what he’d like to eat or drink. Over time, the team will continue to work with Josh to use his tablet when out and about, so he’ll be able to have more choice and control over his life, even for something as simple as ordering his own drink.

The tablet can also help with things Josh can’t easily express in words, like when he’s in pain. He’s had surgeries in the past and sometimes experiences discomfort. The tablet gives Josh a way to tell staff something’s wrong.

Josh’s confidence has grown since moving here, and his communication tablet is helping to build on that progress. At first, he wouldn’t eat in public or make choices for himself. Now, with the tablet giving him more ways to express what he wants, he’s starting to try new foods and socialise more with the people around him. He’s also started using pictures on the tablet to ask for certain staff members, which shows how strong those relationships have become.

Deputy Manager Kim said: “Josh is a funny and kind person with a great sense of humour. He is a big lover of trains and enjoys doing puzzles. He loves a bit of banter with staff and making people laugh. The tablet helps bring out more of this side of him, by giving him more ways to connect and join in.”

“The team is taking things slowly, because Josh needs time to get used to the new system and to feel safe. But the goal is simple: to help him say what he wants, when he wants to, and for him to know that people are listening. It’s not about rushing, it’s about building confidence, trust, and independence.”