The Power of Showing Up
This learner had not set foot in a classroom since Year 5. Now 15, she had missed five full years of education and had never attended high school. Living with selective mutism, autism (ASD), PTSD and extreme social anxiety, she was isolated at home and unable to engage with others.
Despite the involvement of multiple services, no progress had been made, professionals would come and go, unable to reach her. Schools had sent her home. Most gave up.
But Nadine didn’t.
Breaking Through With Patience and Presence
From the beginning, Nadine focused on building trust and creating safety. The learner could only manage 10 minutes of learning at a time. Sessions were gentle and predictable. Nadine:
- Structured every lesson clearly so the learner knew what to expect
- Spoke to her as if she would respond, even during long periods of silence
- Gave space when needed and never positioned herself between the learner and the exit
- Worked closely with external support services like CYPS to encourage progress
After a full term of unwavering patience, Nadine achieved what others could not, the learner began to engage.
Support Beyond the Lesson
Nadine’s commitment extended far beyond academics. She:
- Represented the learner in professional meetings, giving her a voice
- Secured funding for swimming lessons to support her confidence in public
- Helped through a house move, providing emotional continuity
- Attended training days and practised social interaction through visits to Starbucks
- Provided regular support to her mother to strengthen the family unit
When the learner couldn’t attend prom, Nadine brought the prom to her, decorating her living room to create a celebration filled with joy and dignity.
Later, the learner returned to her old primary school for closure, reconnecting with her past and beginning to look toward the future. With her growing confidence, she was even able to get a puppy, something once unimaginable, as it meant she could now go outdoors for walks.
Transformation and Trust
This young person is now:
- Attending her own meetings independently
- Reconnecting with her family and socialising again
- Building independence and living with renewed confidence
The journey transformed them both. Nadine reflects that she learned never to give up on a child in need, and that resilience, care and consistency can rebuild a life.