People with autism in Estonia today

1. People with autism in Estonia today Marianne Kuzemtshenko

2. Facts about autism • Law about protection of personal data • The diagnosis is personal data • No one collects data how many persons we have with ASD or other diagnosis • If rely on statistics coming from other countries (10-20 cases from 10000 people), we have appr. 1400-2800 cases of ASD ACE project conference, Slovenia

3. Facts about ASD in Estonia • The first diagnoses in the middle of 1980-s, so we have very small number of diagnosed middle-aged or old people with ASD • Most of young and adults with ASD (diagnosed) are in age 18-30 • This group had not got the suitable teaching since kindergarten as lot of them had got diagnosis much later. ACE project conference, Slovenia

4. Possibilites for education for adults with ASD • The basic education is obligatory for all children • High scool is optional, mostly available for young people with ASD and with normal intelligence, who are able to be sufficiently independant – not very high number • Higher education is available only for these young people, who have lightsome problems • Vocational education is available in specific groups for persons with disabilities and also in open groups together with all other students ACE project conference, Slovenia

5. Adults with ASD and problems • No specific support services for only people with ASD in high schools and universities • Generally it is possible to have support person in universities, but this is occasional and depends on finacial possibilities as much as finding the suitable person for this job ACE project conference, Slovenia

6. Some of possible occupations in vocational schools in specific groups • Baker, confectioner • Cleaning serviceman • Car repair mechanicer • Planting of greenery • Furniture maker • IT serviceman • Building serviceman • Hotel serviceman ACE project conference, Slovenia

7. Vocational schools • Viljandi Vocational School • Väike-Maarja Vocational Center • Suuremõisa Technical School • Tallinn Building School • Tallinn Economical School • Tallinn Servicing School • Vana-Antsla Agricultural School • Tartu Art School • Astangu Vocational and Rehabilitation Center • Tartu Vocational Center ACE project conference, Slovenia

8. Rehabilitation services • Rehabilitation services are available for all adults with ASD on the same basis as for adults with other disabilities • These services are: psychological councelling, speech therapists service, special teachers service, physiotherapists service. Individually or in group. • Too difficult to apply – a lot of papers to fill, insufficient number of service bidders, limited hours on some services, also financial limits. • On positive side: for psychiatrical diagnoses the finances for services are more higher than for other disabilities ACE project conference, Slovenia

9. Services for independent living • Supported workThe aim of the service is to create an opportunity for a person who lives independently or uses the service of supported life to be engaged in a normal employment relationship. The organizations mediate part-time jobs in ordinary enterprises. The service constitutes the individual aid, advice and supervision of the employer and the employee according to the needs and agreement. ACE project conference, Slovenia

10. Services for independent living • Supported housing (living)The aim of the service is the independent life of the person in as ordinary environment as possible. The NGO possesses flats where people with similar problems live in the same flat (having the rights and responsibilities proceeding from the rental agreement). The service constitutes the aid, advice and supervision of the person at the management of everyday life and the flat. ACE project conference, Slovenia

11. Services for independent living • Day Care CentersThe aim of the service is to decrease the need to institutionalize the person for a long term, offering them the possibilities of activity orientated to rehabilitation of the person and the support services in the ordinary environment. Every year the people take regular part in the art camps in Estonia and abroad. ACE project conference, Slovenia

12. Services for independent living • There are no services which are meant for only adults with ASD, but considering the smallness of Estonia – it is not urgently needed. • The number of institutions is not sufficient ACE project conference, Slovenia

13. Services from Employment service • Adaptation of the workplace (advices and financial support), mostly for physical disabilities • Special aids and equipment (special equipment that is needed in order to do job properly) • Assistance in job interviews (assistance to communicate with the employer during job interviews) • Working with the support person (possibility to have someone work alongside you, to assist you in your integration in the workplace. The cost for support persons is compensated to a limit, and for up to one year) ACE project conference, Slovenia

14. What we need for adults with ASD more • Organized system of support services for students in vocational schools and universities • Sufficiently trained support persons in vocational schools and universities • More supported places for work, and with wider choices of work • Possibilities to work with support person more than one year • More supported living places ACE project conference, Slovenia