Case study 3

Xavier, a nineteen year-old with a moderate intellectual disability, attends a day program at Indigo Community Services and Health Hub. Xavier enjoys gardening and he is regularly joined by Michael and Bella. Xavier often ends up with a lot of soil on his clothing when weeding and planting new flowers.

One afternoon, Xavier's mother arrives earlier than usual whilst Xavier is gardening. Xavier has been very enthusiastic in his digging on this day and has more soil residue than usual on his clothing, in his hair, and across his face when he has wiped some sweat from his brow.Xavier's mother sees this and is visibly upset. She walks over to Rosa (support worker) and asks why her son is not encouraged to be more careful and look after his clothing? Rosa explains that Xavier really enjoys gardening and is becoming quite skilled in recognising multiple types of plants and is now responsible for the upkeep of an area of the garden. Xavier's mother explains that she does not want him getting so dirty ever again and does not want him to continue gardening if he is going to end up this dirty all the time. Rosa says that she is sorry and that she will remember next time. Rosa does not mention this interaction with Xavier's mother to any of her colleagues.

The following day, Xavier comes to the centre and during the morning, he collects everything he needs to tend to his garden. Rosa looks at him and says to Xavier "come and find something else to do today Xavier. Your mum was really upset that you were dirty yesterday and doesn't want it to happen again."

Xavier becomes upset and insists that he wants to look after his garden, particularly as Michael and Bella are already working in the garden.

Rosa tells Xavier that it's his choice and lets him continue gardening. When finished in the garden Rosa continually encourages Xavier to wash his hands and face so that there is zero evidence Xavier has gardened. Xavier washes his hands in excess of 10 times in the space of 90 minutes. Rosa also asks permission to sponge Xavier's shirt where there is a soil stain, so that she can clean it off before his mum arrives. When Xavier's mum arrives to pick him up, Rosa does not mention anything about Xavier's work in the garden.

1.Explain how Rosa should have responded to Xavier's mother and how she could have responded to Xavier