Youth worker with young people on the spectrum

[ASyouthworker]

Hi everyone,

 

I just wanted to introduce myself. I am a youth worker and I run youth clubs and activities for young people who are on the spectrum and in mainstream education. I am NT myself. I have a younger brother with AS. I have done this job for 4 years but only part time and we have just got the funding through for me to go full time! (I work for a charity) It's really exciting and I am looking forward to developing more autism-specific youth work. I have joined the forum because I wanted to plug in more to the wider AS and ASC community to help inform my youth work.

 

What I wanted to know is if any of you know of any autism-specific youth work or youth clubs that happen around the country? I have googled and found a few things but I would like to build up a more accurate picture.

 

Thank you in advance, and nice to meet you.

 

Ruth

[Kathryn]

Hi Ruth - welcome. I think there is something near me, I've never been directly involved but I'll try and find out.

 

K x

[JsMum]

The only autistic spersific activities are what are run via Parent support groups,

 

There is no youth group spersific to AS at all in our area,

 

Im in process of writing a complaints letter as in our area over the summer holidays all activities where in mainstream enviroements with mainstream children, no spersific groups for any disability, there idea is that all children should mix and be included what ever the disability, or not, inclusion is the word they use a lot, my son can not access a mainstream school yet was expected to access mainstream activities and interact and socialise with mainstream children, his main impairment is sensory, social and communication. hence why im writing a complaint.

 

JsMum

 

[mariag]

Hi Ruth,

 

We have a local group near us called Spectrum Arts, it london based. I have not attended their activities but they vary from art, drama, outings, youth clubs. They were part of PIP and are funded by the national lottery i think. They produce a leaflet every few months with different activities organised. I know alot of parents who attend and their children really benefit from the focused activites where their children can be themselves especially with the youth groups.

 

Below are some links:-

 

http://www.carerscontactline.co.uk/documen...chureAugSep.pdf

 

This is the PIP link it will tell of other activities run in my area

 

 

http://www.pipcroydon.btik.com/calendar/23199266103.ikml

 

I hope this helps you

 

Maria

[Donar kebab]

Hi everyone,

 

I just wanted to introduce myself. I am a youth worker and I run youth clubs and activities for young people who are on the spectrum and in mainstream education. I am NT myself. I have a younger brother with AS. I have done this job for 4 years but only part time and we have just got the funding through for me to go full time! (I work for a charity) It's really exciting and I am looking forward to developing more autism-specific youth work. I have joined the forum because I wanted to plug in more to the wider AS and ASC community to help inform my youth work.

 

What I wanted to know is if any of you know of any autism-specific youth work or youth clubs that happen around the country? I have googled and found a few things but I would like to build up a more accurate picture.

 

Thank you in advance, and nice to meet you.

 

Ruth

 

Hello Ruth

My son has attended an autism specific Youth club held in Maltby Rotherham ran by The Rotherham Autism Communication team. Gill Capaldi is its manager.

The age range is youth work age 14 to 25yrs. My son has really enjoyed going and being by himself, ie finally attending something where we are not allowed in... They had issues with funding as always, but hopefully it will soon re start.

If i can help with more details let me know

Donna

[call me jaded]

NAS Surrey branch has a few groups and also Disability Challengers runs ASD-specific activities. You could also try the Play Team at your local authority, and the Youth Service for older children.

 

I'm involved with a pan-disability group myself, social and communication skills based, so very ASD supportive.

[ASyouthworker]

Hi thanks everyone, I am really encouraged by all the responses. My charity works with lots of families and young people but I am the only one working on my project, with loads of volunteers. I was thinking how lonely it is just me and I am interested in setting up a network of youth workers doing similar things. It is hard to find an AS youth/social club that is not therapy or social skills based. Anyway, now will take this thread out of meet and greet as feel it's gone beyond!

Thanks all