Asperger's Support
"It is good to talk to someone who understands why I find certain things challenging" - student with Asperger syndrome at the university in 2008.
The Disability Support Office (DSO) is now working with Prospects, part of the National Autistic Society. Prospects support people on the autistic spectrum in education and employment (including careers advice).
A member of Prospects staff (Norman Darwen) will be in our office (Floor 2, Building 2, University Place) every Tuesday afternoon and all day on Fridays during term-time.
Below is a list of the support Prospects can provide:
- Talk to students with Asperger Syndrome/on the autistic spectrum: you can either make an appointment with Norman or just come along to our office on a Friday.
- Talk to staff in the university about Asperger Syndrome and autism. Norman does not mention individual students during these talks. We have already found that staff are very keen to learn about students on the spectrum, and how they can work with them better.
- Provide regular mentoring. Norman can arrange to see students for an hour a week, to discuss any problems or issues that have arisen during the week, and prepare for the week ahead.
- Provide careers advice. Whether students are planning to leave university, or are just hoping to get a part-time job, they can talk to Norman. He has lots of experience in supporting people on the spectrum at work, in interviews, and whilst applying for jobs.
If you think you might be interested in any of this support, please e-mail
aspie@manchester.ac.uk
A Friday lunchtime group has also now been formed, where students on the spectrum can meet and discuss their experiences. Students have found this very useful as a lot of them had never knowingly met other people with a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome.
Feedback from all the students has been very positive. Feedback on the individual sessions has included comments such as "It is good to talk to someone who understands why I find certain things challenging", "it helps to ease my anxieties" and It is a place where I can be me and reset myself to start the new week fresh. The group sessions have brought comments such as "It is a good place to talk and meet other autistic people" and "I feel like I have come home".
To find out more about Prospects, please click on this link: