Will’s journey to adulthood

When Will started at National Star in Wales it was a huge change. He had spent the past 15 years in the same specialist school and he knew it well.

His mum, Sarah, knew that any change would be difficult. Will, now 22, has autism, a visual impairment including Keratoconus, and profound learning difficulties. He understands far more than he can express, and his wellbeing relies heavily on the people supporting him.

‘When Will joined National Star, our biggest hope was simple: for Will to be happy. We worried whether anyone new would really understand him,’ said mum Sarah.

The transition from school to college was overwhelming. Although he’d had supportive staff previously, starting again with new people and expectations was daunting. From the outset, Will’s family and the team at National Star in Wales worked together to plan how best to support him, particularly around his biggest barrier, communication.

It took time for Will to build trust, but gradually his cues became familiar and his body language relaxed. Staff embraced his love of animated communication, turning favourite phrases such as ‘Crunchy Dave’ and ‘ladybirds’ into joyful bridges that helped him connect.

‘Those little things meant such a big thing for Will. Staff didn’t just notice them, they used them,’ said mum Sarah.

Once settled, Will flourished emotionally and physically. He took part in swimming, adaptive dance, daily walks, and visits to the community. Each activity built confidence and brought structure and joy into his day.

One of the most stressful periods was Will’s second eye procedure under general anaesthetic. National Star developed a personalised social story, which is a short visual description that includes specific information about what Will should expect and why. The team also recorded a supportive message on a communication button to help with his recovery.

‘I felt so reassured. They thought of things we hadn’t even considered. They became an extension of our family,’ said mum Sarah.

By the time Will left National Star, he communicated more clearly, expressed preferences, and managed transitions with far less anxiety. He would wake up and say, ‘college today,’ a simple but powerful sign of his excitement to go to college.

With his two-year funding nearing its end, staff invested in preparing him for the next transition. They introduced weekly visits to his new adult placement, trained his new support workers, and provided detailed documentation.

‘It made the world of difference. They understood that Will needs continuity, and they made sure he had it,’ said his mum, Sarah.

Since leaving college Will has successfully managed overnight respite stays, something once unimaginable and attends two different day care provisions.

‘National Star was everything and more,’ said mum Sarah.

Will’s journey shows how the right environment, expertise and relationships can transform the life of a young person with complex needs and give their family hope for the future.