Education of adults with autism at the FORUM Club in the SYNAPSIS Foundation

1. Education of adults with autism at the FORUM Club inthe SYNAPSIS Foundation Michał Waligórski SYNAPSIS Foundation Warsaw, Poland LISBON, 12 May 2006

2. The SYNAPSIS Foundation About us established in 1990 by professionals the name derives from Greek word synapsis (contact, bond) non-governmental organisation non-profit organisation different sources of financing (public subsidies, national & European grants, sponsoring)

3. Our activities CHILDREN & YOUNGSTERS WITH AUTISM diagnosis & therapy PARENTS support & trainings ADULTS WITH AUTISM social & work activities SYNAPSIS PUBLIC OPINION social campaigns & publications PROFESSIONALS trainings, seminars OTHER NGOs trainings, advocacy system solutions – goverment and adminsistartion parliement advocacy international cooperation

4. Short introduction into theFORUM CLUB Life-long education at the FORUM Club inthe SYNAPSIS Foundation

5. Adults with autism since 2003 day activities (FORUM Club of Adults with Autism) pilot projects on job training social trainings, communication trainings integration with peers sport activities (rock climbing camps) arts expositions & events from 2006 our specialists diagnose the Asperger Syndrome in adults (including functional diagnose) …

6. FORUM Club – important tasks… EDUCATION & THERAPY INTEGRATION COMMUNICATION HOBBIES STRUCTURE WORK SELF-HELP SKILLS VARIOUS ACTIVITIES

7. The FORUM Club in the future… • 2006.October. – New building for 24 persons: • The FORUM Club (hobbies, therapy, education…) • SOCIAL ENTERPRISE (exclusively work)

8. LIFELONG EDUCATION in the FORUM CLUB

9. According to our experiences, lifelong learning is so important, because: • Adults with autism want to learn and work, • They want to understand their environment better, • Learning prevents them from stagnation and regression, • Learning decreases the number of difficult behaviours, • Learning increasing their efficacy increases motivation • It enables them to fulfill their ambitions and interests lifelong learning creates EMPOWERMENT!

10. LIFELONG EDUCATION in the FORUM CLUB • The first stage: defining the needs of the FORUM Club member on the same scale of categories (regardless of his/her level of functioning) • Categories: „theory”, „social skills”, „practise” • Person-centerd education • The second stage: determining the priorities of education. • The third stage: way of realisation

11. LIFELONG LEARNINGOUR „OPERATIONAL DEFINITION” Training of social skills and communication Applicable competences („practise”) Lifelong education („theory”) Practical competences are our priority!

12. lifelong education („theory”) Continuation of the school education– we select the subjects important for the Club member (interesting for him, professionally applicable) „Theoretical education” concerning work „Theoretical education” concerning everyday activities (important information, hobbies)

13. Training of social skills and communication Learning the social skills and communication - essential for proper social functioning and social inclusion

14. Applicable competences („practise”) Practical competences:work Practical competences: everyday activities (hobbies, selfmanagment) Organising the free time

15. The stages of the lifelong education • Defining the needs • Determining the priorities of education • Way of realisation - confrontation with the reality… • Realization of the priorities (partly in the Club, partly individually – hobbies, spare time)

16. Lifelong educationin the education system BARRIERS: • Lack of the complex solutions in the education system. • Very few places like the FORUM Club, therapeutic workshops. • Lack of places enabling to develop skills, hobbies etc. • Lack of assistance for Aspergers at schools • Lack of educational and professional support (job coaching) for persons with Asperger Syndrome • Lack for proffesional staff and trainings for staff • Lack for IT programmes (ex. Comunication, mind reading etc.) • Lack of evaluation instruments SOLUTION: • Cooperation of the specialised organizations supporting the educational and/or professional priorities of adults with autism. • Constant analysis of the actual needs regarding the lifelong education by the client and his main therapist (to a highest possible degree)

17. Never too late to start education… Scientific support of the lifelong educationPerson, B. (2000). Brief report: A Longitudinal Study of Quality of Life and Independence Among Adult Men with Autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30 (1), 61-66. • Measured the impact of the lifelong education (TEACCH programme; 2,5 years) on the autistic adults • Method: AAPEP scale • Participants: • mean age 32,3 • no experiences with structured education and pictograms • RESULTS - statistically important augmentation of: • practical skills • social competences • independence • frequency and quality of the adaptative behaviours • quality of life

18. Thank you for your attention!

19. Contact Michał Waligórski Psychologist, job coach, therapist SYNAPSIS Foundation Phone/fax +48 22 825 86 33, E-mail: michalw@synapsis.waw.pl