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

Michał WaligórskiSYNAPSIS FoundationWarsaw, Poland

LISBON, 12 May 2006

• 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)

The SYNAPSIS Foundation

About us

SYNAPSIS

CHILDREN & YOUNGSTERS WITH AUTISM

diagnosis & therapy

ADULTS WITH AUTISM

social & work activities

PARENTSsupport & trainings

PROFESSIONALS

trainings, seminars

OTHER NGOs trainings, advocacysystem solutions –

goverment and adminsistartion

parliement advocacyinternational cooperation

PUBLIC OPINION

social campaigns & publications

Our activities

Short introduction into theFORUM CLUB

Life-long education at the FORUM Club in the SYNAPSIS Foundation

• 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)•…

Adults with autism

FORUM Club – important tasks…FORUM Club – important tasks…WORK (office work, embroidery,crafts, gardening)

INTEGRATION (Forum Club Council,meetings, meals)

EDUCATION & THERAPY (individualtherapy, senso-motoric exercises,relaxation)HOBBIES (music, dance, painting,sport, free time)

SELF-HELP SKILLS (cooking,cleaning, washing)

VARIOUS ACTIVITIES (exercises,climbing, excursions)

COMMUNICATION

STRUCTURE

EDUCATION & THERAPY

HOBBIES

SELF-HELP SKILLS

VARIOUSACTIVITIES

WORK

INTEGRATION

COMMUNICATION

STRUCTURE

The FORUM Club in the future…The FORUM Club in the future…

• 2006.October. – New building for 24 persons:– The FORUM Club (hobbies, therapy,

education…)

– SOCIAL ENTERPRISE (exclusively work)

LIFELONG EDUCATION LIFELONG EDUCATION in the FORUM CLUBin the FORUM CLUB

1) Adults with autism want to learn and work,2) They want to understand their environment better,3) Learning prevents them from stagnation and

regression, 4) Learning decreases the number of difficult

behaviours,5) Learning increasing their efficacy increases

motivation 6) It enables them to fulfill their ambitions and interests

lifelong learning creates EMPOWERMENT!

According to our experiences, According to our experiences, lifelong learning is so important, because:lifelong learning is so important, because:

LIFELONG EDUCATION LIFELONG EDUCATION in the FORUM CLUBin 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

LIFELONG LEARNINGLIFELONG LEARNINGOUR „OPERATIONAL DEFINITION”

Lifelong education

(„theory”)

Applicable competences

(„practise”)

Training of social skills

and communication

Practical competences are our priority!

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)

Training of social skills

and communication

Learning the social skills and communication- essential for proper social functioning and social inclusion

Practical competences: work

Practical competences:everyday activities (hobbies, selfmanagment)

Organising the free time

Applicable competences

(„practise”)

The stages The stages of the lifelong educationof the lifelong education

1. Defining the needs

2. Determining the priorities of education

3. Way of realisation - confrontation with the reality…

4. Realization of the priorities (partly in the Club, partly individually – hobbies, spare time)

Lifelong educationLifelong educationin the education systemin 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 instrumentsSOLUTION: • CooperationCooperation 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)

Scientific support of the lifelong Scientific support of the lifelong educationeducation

Person, 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

Never too late to start education…

Thank you for your attention!

Michał WaligórskiPsychologist, job coach, therapistSYNAPSIS FoundationPhone/fax +48 22 825 86 33, E-mail: michalw@synapsis.waw.pl

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