ASPERGER’S SYNDROME
I.
Context and target group
A need has been identified in Ireland to provide educational, vocational training and
employment access programmes for people who have Asperger’s syndrome (i.e.) higher
end of the Autism spectrum. Whilst much effort and resources are now being focussed by
the Irish government on the provision of services to children with these kinds of
developmental needs, there is as of yet no organised services for people aged 16 years
and over. A specific local need has been identified by the Rehabilitative Training
Guidance Service of the South West Area Health Board of Dublin City for a high support
rehabilitative training programme for individuals within the SWAHB catchments area.
The programme has been designed for individuals aged sixteen years and over who have
Asperger’s syndrome or who exhibit characteristics associated with the higher end of the
Autism spectrum. Potential participants must be able to manage their own social
behaviour and have the level of independence necessary to participate in centre based and
community based training activities.
II.
Approach and methodology
The objectives of the programme are twofold:
 Individuals to progress to further training and/or education programmes
(quantitative)
 Demonstrate improved quality of life by means of health and social gain
questionnaires (qualitative).
The programme aims to provide participants with training and supports to address social
behaviours which inhibits full integration into society. The programme also aims to
enable participants to develop the level of personal and social skills necessary to achieve
their desired occupation al outcome and to experience significant health and social gains.
The programme is based in the NLN Training centre in the Tallaght area of West Dublin.
Some elements of different modules are delivered in a community based setting and
include:
- Disability Awareness
- Social Skills Training
- Stress Management
- Boundary Management
- Self-Advocacy
- Personal & Interpersonal Skills
- Supervised Leisure
- Art/Drama
- Community Activities
- Healthy Lifestyles
- Independent living
- Vocational Exploration
- Relaxation Techniques
- Skills sampling
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National Learning Network (NLN) / 2005
ASPERGER’S SYNDROME
Training is delivered by an NLN instructor with sectional input from suitably qualified
people for the delivery of specific modules such as art/drama. Training has been tailored
to meet individualised training and development needs through individualised action
planning (IAP). NLN in partnership with the Health Service Executive (HSE SWA)
Adult Autism Team provides a comprehensive approach to delivery of social skills
training and facilitates flexibility and optional participation in specific elements of
training on an identified needs basis for each participant. The Adult Autism team training
facilitators also liaises with parents/ guardians to promote a holistic approach to meeting
the individual needs of each participant. During induction and the IAP needs identified
process, additional external professional supports is identified, recorded and where
appropriate, resourced. Throughout the course, participants may be withdrawn from
group training by Adult Autism Team facilitators to work on individual and specific
issues and behaviours identified during IAP sessions. The facilitators work with each
individual on a one-to-one basis. Following such sessions the trainee is then re-integrated
into the group. The focus on local community participation and the identification and use
of local services and facilities are crucial to achieving social and community integration.
III.
Information on service delivery
The programme is staffed by one full time instructor who has experience of people with
the Asperger’s syndrome (i.e.), higher end of the Autism spectrum, social skills training
and behaviour management techniques. Additional sessional inputs is provided by two
training facilitators from the Adult Autism Team who are made available by the Health
Service Executive, South West Area (HSE SWA) Rehabilitative Training Guidance
Service. The programme delivers classroom-based activities/discussion from a fully
equipped training room located in the NLN Tallaght training centre. One other additional
classroom is made available to the HSE SWA training facilitators for the purposes of one
to one or small group sessions.
Funding comes from the HSE SWA which administers the Rehabilitative Training budget
for Dublin West and County Kildare. Funding comes by means of a flat fee per course
participant. At present this lat fee amounts to 12,827 per participant per annum. Six
individuals have been participating in the pilot programme. The estimated cost of the
course is E 60,836 or E 10,139 per course per participant.
Contact person: Mary O’Dwyer
NLN
77 Broomhill Road
Tallaght Industrial Estate
Dublin 24
Rep. Of Ireland
Tel: 00 353 1 4525777 / Fax: 00 353 1 4610197
E-mail: mary.odwyer@ntdi.ie
Webpage: http://www.rehab.ie/nln/index.aspx
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National Learning Network (NLN) / 2005