ASpire Project

1
ASpire Project

• Mentoring strategies
• for socially excluded
• adults

2
Workshop aims

• Outline the project
• Overview of key aspects of Asperger Syndrome
• Explore differences in mentoring people with AS
• Identify key strategies

3
Project background

• EQUAL funded from 2005 2007
• Hard to reach off benefit and into ETE
• Lack of local statutory services provision
• Disability Employment Services not meeting needs

4
Project aims

• Develop network of mentor support
• Improve access to employment/training
• Improve vocational retention
• Support service users in fulfilling personal
  goals

5
ASpire approach

• Team support
• 11 mentor support
• Group work and social events
• AS awareness training

6
Key outputs and outcomes

• 40 volunteer mentors trained
• 26 currently matched
• 72 service users engaged to date
• 60 local organisations trained and supported
• 8 service users into volunteering/work placement
• 12 into training/education
• 15 reported improvement in social skills,
  confidence, relationships (Feb 2007)

7
What is Asperger Syndrome?

• Variant of Autism
• First defined by Hans Asperger 1944
• Neurological in origin frontal lobe
  dysfunction
• Genetic link
• Seen as Pervasive Developmental Disorder
• 41 male female ratio

8
Positive Traits

• Rote memory
• Specialist knowledge
• High IQ
• Attention to detail
• Visual skills
• Perfectionism
• Original thinkers
• Straight-forward approach

9
Tony Attwood, Clinical Psychologist

• A different way of approaching life, one that is
  dominated by the pursuit of knowledge and truth
• The great advances in science and art have been
  attributable to people with AS

10
In Good Company

• Albert Einstein
• Bill Gates
• Vincent Van Gogh
• Bert (Sesame Street)
• Gary Numan
• Tim Burton
• Bob Dylan
• Woody Allen
• Ludwig van Beethoven
• Michael Palin

11
6 Key indicators

• 1. Social Interaction
• 2. Social Communication
• 3. Imagination
• 4. Sensory Sensitivity
• 5. Motor skills
• 6. Organisational ability

12
Main Clinical Features

• Lack of empathy
• Naïve, inappropriate, one-sided interaction
• Limited ability to form friendships
• Pedantic, repetitive speech
• Poor nonverbal communication
• Intense absorption in certain subjects
• Lack of co-ordination
• (Burgoine and Wing, 1983)

13
Implications

• Bullying/teasing 90 (Attwood, 2006)
• Possible exploitation / criminal activity
• Under-employed 12 in full-time work with
  average or above IQ (NAS, 2003)
• Anxiety depression
• Limited social contact
• Struggle to cope with changes in life
• Poverty
• Poor health / nutrition

14

• Whats different about mentoring adults with
  AS?

15
Key Learning Outcomes

• Directive style
• Closed communication techniques
• Issues with making choices
• Awareness of decision-making limitations
• Unrealistic expectations
• Limitations with self-reporting
• Motivation difficulties imagining future

16

• What mentoring strategies work?

17
Mentoring Strategies

• Dont take mentees behaviour personally!
• Language clear and simple
• Allow offloading time
• Manage mentees anxiety remain calm
• Dont take behaviour at face value
• Extreme patience!

18
Resources

• Aspergers Syndrome Foundation
• Tony Attwood
• Maxine Aston
• ASpire Project Final Evaluation Report