Centre bridging social gaps for autistic adults (From Croydon Guardian)

Centre bridging social gaps for autistic adults

2:20pm Wednesday 30th October 2002

• Print
• Email
• Share

A learning support centre helping adults with autism live enjoyable lives and reach their potential is in the rare position of having places available.

Transitions, a day centre set up in Croydon by the National Autistic Society (NAS) in February this year, has specialist facilities and runs individualised programmes to help over-18s with "high functioning" autism develop skills for life and work.

The Whitehorse Road-based centre was opened after NAS's Mitcham centre became too popular.

The charity also identified a need to focus on those suffering less severely, to give them continuity while they deal with transition, something they are notorious for finding difficult.

This was after research carried out by NAS among parents of 1,200 adults with autism or Asperger syndrome revealed a need for change.

The report based on the research, entitled Ignored or ineligible?, looked at issues including rights, independence and social inclusion and found 70 per cent of parents felt their children would be unable to live independently without support.

Almost half were still living at home, two-thirds had difficulty making friends and just 12 per cent of higher functioning adults were in full-time, paid employment.

Natasha Swaffer, Transitions senior curriculum co-ordinator, said: "We have people who have come from the workplace - one who set up our website and has two degrees - but what lets down such high achievers with autism can be that they have very poor social skills.

"We have computers and links to training courses but what they often need is to learn life skills like shopping and being out and about.''

Centre users are usually very verbal, with high IQs and academic potential, but their communication problems are a major drawback because independence depends on an ability to negotiate situations meaningfully for themselves.

"This service has been called Transitions because of its emphasis on making and supporting clear life transitions," Natasha added.

"Firstly on an individual level and within the different contexts of everyday life experiences and also within a broader perspective, for example, education to work, work to personal management skills, even the transition involved in turning acquaintances into friendships and so on."

Transitions student Daniella Sivier, 23, uses the centre every day and also attends pottery and computer classes at South Norwood College twice a week. She has progressed considerably since she began using the centre, largely because group members are more able to mix than at other centres where abilities are more wide ranging.

She is very verbal and the centre has helped her "get her point across more", her mother Pam said.

Pam, 43, who Daniella lives with in Thornton Heath, said: "Before she started there she needed a lot of support, which she gets there, especially with building her confidence.

"It's a small group and they're very like a family and they also give the family support which is great.

"Because they are more able, they go out more and socialise more - they actually have a lot in common."

She added: "She doesn't want to leave home yet but she wants to work towards that. I'm also hoping she can go for some qualifications at college.

"Eventually she'd love to work with children."

Placements are funded by social services and the ratio of users to staff is two to one. The curriculum combines basic skills in education, information technology, vocational training, employment skills, art, drama, leisure and sport.

The centre is equipped with a computer suite with supervised internet access, education software packages, a library, music, film and animation facilities and practical reference on healthcare, budgeting and benefits.

Donations and sponsorship are welcome. Contact Natasha Swaffer on 020 8689 4884 or 020 8462 2186.

• Print
• Email
• Share