Luca
"SNAPS invest time and patience to bring out the best in Luca."
“The coaches at the football sessions have great been every week. I make a point of giving Luca space at these sessions, as he is always with me and I’m having to prompt and supervise constantly. So the sessions are a great chance for him to be with others and do his own thing, in a safe environment. Especially with the coaches, who he really looks up to.
“Today, Luca was struggling and became very frustrated and angry. I managed to get him to understand and agree (reluctantly!) to sit down on his own for 5 minutes to help calm down, so he could try join in again rather than having to just go straight home.
“After a few minutes you could see his mood shifting and he started to relax. At that point, the coach went over and sat with Luca for a chat before asking him what he would like to play next. Luca couldn’t think straight to say what he wanted to and put his head in his hands. Rather than push it or say anything, the coach sat patiently and waited for his answer and they both went and continued the session with a very happy Luca and proud mum.
“It’s easy for some to brush Luca off as an angry or badly behaved child rather than see the sensitive, complex, lovely boy he is. And it’s great to see others invest their time and patience to bring out the best in him and build him up. These sessions mean so much to him and we look forward to every session.”