Jonathan is an inspirational graduate in meaningful employment, transformed from a selective mute to a confident public speaker due to the support and guidance of the DFN Project SEARCH programme and his lecturers.
Jonathan Munro is neurodiverse, and at an early age was diagnosed with Autism and other learning disabilities. During school he was overwhelmed with anxiety and began to reduce his verbal communications to the extent he was deemed a selective mute, only feeling comfortable enough to speak in his home setting to his mum, Maxine. Although very clever and enjoyed learning, his inability to socialise and lack of confidence lead to loneliness and isolation, but due to the pandemic and online learning, this severely triggered his anxiety.
“Since being in DFN Project SEARCH, Jonathan has found his voice and is using it a lot.”
In 2022 Jonathan, supported by his mum, he applied for the DFN Project SEARCH programme. The programme was a collaboration between D&A College, NHS Tayside, and Dundee Health & Social Care Partnership. For the first time in 22 years, in an education context, Jonathan spoke at the interview day. From this point on, he continued to speak and develop his verbal communication with the continued support and encouragement from his lecturer and job coach. His mental health has hugely benefited from the engagement and structure, and he has gained a sense of purpose and meaning in the community. Jonathan’s mum comments:
“The transformation in Jonathan is unrecognisable. There is no doubt in my mind this supportive environment, the continued positive reinforcement, the clear guidance, and the structure that is provided within DFN Project SEARCH, by both Leanne and Nessy, has been paramount in Jon’s development and allowed him to thrive.”
Jonathan’s confidence has grown so much, and he has continued to develop his verbal communication. At the DFN Project SEARCH Graduation in May, he volunteered to speak in front of over 100 people and did it confidently.
Since graduating, Jonathan has progressed into meaningful employment. Jonathan is an inspirational role model to all, particularly those who are neurodiverse, and he attributes his development and growth to the support he has had through the DFN Project Search programme, his lecturer and job coach.
“We are all so incredibly proud of Jonathan, his development is life changing. The Nurse Bank staff are very supportive of him, believing in him and always seeing his potential.” – Leanne Macdonald, Lecturer in Supported Education at D&A College.
Jonathan has since gone on to win multiple awards, including the NHS Gold Star Award for his growth and achievements.
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