“The staff at Praxis Care have never had any issues with Cillian, says a lot. It means that they are incredibly well-trained and skilled at managing children like him who have sensory and communication challenges.”
The Challenges of Caring for a Child with Complex Needs
Keavy’s 14-year-old son, Cillian, has autism and a learning disability. From a young age, Cillian exhibited delayed speech and struggled with sensory processing, often becoming overwhelmed by the world around him.
Keavy and her family are committed to giving Cillian every opportunity to reach his full potential. But the world can be a challenging place for children with complex needs — and that impact is felt not just by the child, but by the entire family.
The Impact of Praxis Care
Keavy recalls how the family carefully approached Cillian’s transition into using the services of Praxis Care.
“We did it in a really gradual fashion. To be honest, we never in our lives thought that Cillian would stay away from us overnight. So we took it step by step: a half-day first, then a full day, and eventually one overnight. Now, he can manage two overnights in a row and actually looks forward to them — he loves finding out which staff are on duty, what room he’ll be in (they’re all themed — his favourite is the Jungle Room!), and what activities he might do.”
Since Cillian began attending Praxis Care’s respite service, Keavy has seen remarkable improvements in his behaviour and overall well-being. One of the most significant changes has been his growing independence.
“He’s now able to do things for himself that would have required a lot of prompting and support at home,” Keavy explains. “It’s the small things that have made the biggest difference — daily living skills, trying new foods (which used to be a huge hurdle for us). These are things most parents take for granted, and they’ve been transformational.”
“The staff at Praxis Care have never had any issues with Cillian, which says a lot,” Keavy adds. “It means they’re incredibly well-trained and skilled at supporting children like him, who have sensory and communication challenges. They adapt to his needs in ways that encourage his development.”
A Bright Future Ahead
Keavy feels hopeful about what lies ahead for her son.
“I know there will always be challenges, but I truly believe he can live as independently as possible. With the right support, there’s no limit to what he can achieve.”
But she’s also clear that more needs to be done.
“We need greater government investment in services for children like Cillian. There’s a massive shortage of skilled professionals — in care, psychology, and beyond. Once you’re in the system, the services can be brilliant, but for so many families, access simply isn’t there.”
Advice for Other Parents
“Just take it step by step,” Keavy says. “Your child is full of potential. Getting a diagnosis is very difficult, and there will be stages where things feel overwhelming — but there will also be times when your child makes massive progress.”
She also highlights the importance of seeking support from professionals and networks of other parents. “Take all the help you can get — from professionals, family, and networks of other parents. Every child is different, but sometimes the smallest piece of advice can make a world of difference.”