Toby Kersey

Merging special needs into the mainstream

Vital stats

Age – 21
Problem areas – Concentration, co-ordination, social skills, writing, reading, spelling, maths, auditory processing, confidence
Completed Dore – January 2009

Background

Toby Kersey was diagnosed with Autism at age three. At five he was placed in a school for moderate learning difficulties where he stayed until he was 15. Although it was clear Toby was an intelligent child he was unable to function in a mainstream environment. At the age of 16 he had a concentration span of no more than a few minutes and couldn’t write his own name. He was unable to stand or sit still and although could read, he couldn’t write, or do simple maths. His co-ordination was also poor which meant he was unable to ride a bike, music and other loud sounds caused him trauma. He was unhappy, frustrated and completely under achieving. Placed in the confines of a classroom environment, Toby quickly became frustrated and as a result became moody and aggressive. It was only when a friend introduced his family to Dore that things started to change.

“Toby was 19 and couldn’t ride a bike…within four months of the Dore Programme he was riding independently.”

Sandra Kersey, Toby’s mother

Toby’s journey

Toby started the Dore Programme in early 2005 and by February was attempting to write for the first time in his life. By Christmas of the same year, he could sign and send his own cards. Toby loved Dore because it didn’t feel like a medical intervention, so he didn’t challenge it. In a relatively short period, the Programme helped Toby ride a bike and walk properly. “Every step was a progress step and each one gave us hope,” recalls his mother Sandra. “It was like the Programme unlocked something in his brain.”

The future

Toby is now 21, and by following the Dore Programme has continued to progress and develop. His concentration has now improved and he recently completed a two-year college course on animal care and agriculture. Toby has made huge steps in merging his special needs into normal mainstream life and with the support of his family shows no signs of slowing down. His balance continues to improve, to a level previously unimaginable. He is now able to ride an adult bike and has started climbing. Toby loves parties, talking and interacting with people. He has a great sense of humour and understands jokes now so joins in which makes him much happier. He loves to play drums, keyboard and goes to live music concerts, as his tolerance to loud noises is nowhere near as sensitive. The Dore Programme has taken Toby on a journey from child to adult.

“Toby thrived at Dore because it didn’t feel like a medical intervention, so he didn’t challenge it.”