We were delighted to receive this feedback from mum Natasha who sought help from our Sleep Service for her and son Riley.
Three-year-old Riley loves trains, cars, diggers and farm machinery. His favourite things to do are being outside, engaging in sensory activities and organising his toys. But Riley dislikes change in his routine and busy or loud environments.
Natasha explains why she got in touch with our Sleep Service and how we were able to help:
“Riley’s condition has altered our family life – we have had to adapt to how Riley navigates life. We’ve had to learn the way Riley understands and communicates and teach my daughter how she can communicate with her brother using non-verbal forms of communication. We’ve learned understand when Riley is disregulated and how we can help him. There are many things that as a family we have adapted to so that Riley is as happy as he can be.
Riley’s condition affects him in many ways and every day is a challenge. Attending education is hard for Riley as he really struggles with social and emotional skills. He has a speech delay and he also has ARFID and many other health problems. But I will work alongside him every step of the way to ensure he is happy and receiving all the help he needs.
I got in touch with Cerebra as I desperately needed sleep advice – myself and Riley were only sleeping for a couple of hours a night.
I received the best support from our Sleep Practitioner, and I am so grateful. He truly made a huge impact. He not only helped me to create a concrete sleep pattern for Riley but he also sent me books, links to other organisations, groups to look up and general advice and for parents like me who need help with a child with additional needs.
When I first started with Cerebra, I was so lost – I had no idea where to turn or how to help my child. With their support my understanding grew, and then as other professionals got involved with Riley, we then started to receive more help. We all ended up working together to put a plan together to help Riley.
It has made a huge difference! Without the help from Cerebra, I honestly don’t know what I would have done. I so desperately needed help and without the help of their Sleep Team I genuinely don’t think I would be in the position I am in now. Their knowledge is fantastic, I felt like they really understood and wanted to help and that meant a lot to us as a family. Up until this point we had been left to go at it alone until the referrals had come through.
I think what you do is amazing, you’ve lifted me up from some really low points of me feeling like a terrible mother for not being able to help/understand what is going on with my child. I now have a team of people who help with Riley, but I will be forever grateful of where my help came from! So, thank you so much”.
