Alpha Autism is a multi-dimensional support service for Adolescents and Adults living on the Autistic Spectrum. Its ASD Employment Service has been in operation in Melbourne, Australia for over 10 years. Based in the Metro region of Melbourne, Alpha traditionally serviced its clientele face-to-face. As the program grew, so to did the diagnosis rates of students in secondary education. The period from 2009-2010 heralded a spike in new enquiries from schools, parents and professional services regarding ASD employment and transitional support for students with ASD in regional and remote areas. In 2010, Alpha began consultations with disability support groups from across regional Victoria who had previously requested specialist ASD support; however we found facilitating face-to-face support with any degree of continuity very difficult and not financially viable. Fast forward two years and now with the use of web-based technology, Alpha is able to provide education and support to groups in even the most remote geographic areas.
In 2012 Alpha Autism received a grant from William Buckland Foundation to develop a pilot program using web-based technology to deliver an interactive training and social development program for students with ASD in Metro & regional areas of Victoria, the focus being 'successful transition to Adulthood and Employment'. Our aim was really to better prepare these students in remote and regional locations to have a greater chance of transitioning from school to post-school options, and equally as important, maintaining any friendships they would have developed through the program post-school. We qualified these areas based on information gathered that identified them as having very little access to specialised services for individuals with ASD. This pilot began in November 2012.
METHODS
After identifying several clusters of students with ASD in outer Metro & regional areas of Victoria, we assign one member from the target school (for example, a teachers aide who may work with some of the students in the group, or a school psychologist or intern) to manage the participants and ensure they are provided with all of the relevant materials and course calendars. Alpha delivers a 16 week web-based training and video conferencing program throughout the 2012 & 13 school year. The training covers basic pre-vocational training and development & is underpinned by an understanding of the importance of sustaining employment, friendships and social skills critical to their future independence. Between sessions, participants are updated regularly via email and SMS with friendly reminders and key positive messages.
Building Trust – The Foundation
They way in which we deliver the training is key. Our philosophy is really to bring these students together first, that’s the big ticket item. If we can at least engage them and stimulate them enough, and they continue to turn up, then half the battle is won. We like to look at the bigger picture and think that the ‘learning’ will come organically, as long as the group can truly enjoy participating and felling a sense of belonging. We need to build on that trust and their enjoyment and participation with each session. We are very mindful of not overusing clinical terms, nor do we overuse ASD, Autism or Asperger’s. All of these students first and foremost are just that, students, and they should be afforded the same respect as their neurotypical peers. Alpha staff post-delivery will then debrief with the onsite staff member, discuss that session, and prepare the next.
Sessions are facilitated in Alpha’s Head Offices in Melbourne, Victoria, and delivered via Skype and other web-based video conferencing sites that are able to be used at no charge. The personnel facilitating the sessions are all Alpha staff, and have clinical and non-clinical backgrounds. The sessions and lesson plans are also structured so that it is not necessary for the person delivering training to be a qualified teacher.
RESULTS
To be independently evaluated by Dr Helen Evert (Research Fellow at Deakin University) - a mid-project evaluation will be undertaken by Dr Evert and this information used to complete this presentation.
CONCLUSIONS
Mid-pilot conclusions to be published and premiered at this presentation at the Autism Society Conference and then in August the Asia Pacific Autism Conference, Adelaide, Australia 2013
Jason White
Manager
Alpha Autism Incorporated
Jason is the General Manager of Alpha’s Employment Support Services, a position he has held for over four years. Starting with a single site in Melbourne, Jason has expanded Alpha’s reach in Melbourne and now into several states across Australia, developing innovative employment specific programs for individuals with ASD.