Daniel and Loyda, our candidate housemates, visit us weekly to get gradually used to their new environment. Their mother has come along to make the transition go smoothly, but we do not really notice the difference whether she is there or not, or when by arrangement she is away for a while.
But of course the aim is also for us to get to know them: what are they able to do, what do they like to do, what are they used to? During the visits we try to make contact with them, and see how they respond, and we are particularly alert in order to find ways of supporting them. They are not communicative and live in their ‘own world’. This time they stay for supper (see picture). The next time we plan to have them visit for the whole day, without their mother.