The Need for Coaching or Befriending

[cmwoodward]

Hi,

 

Just thought I would like to share something that has been on my mind recently. I think one of the things that could be used to help people with Aspergers Syndrome improve socially is some coaching and befriending, particularly for adolescents and young adults. I often feel that because AS's can learn things very quickly and are focused, when they decide its time to make friends and build a social life, we should have the resources in place to provide for them some kind of crash course in social interaction, covering things such as understanding jokes and banter, and just generally teaching them the stuff most people just 'pick up' on as kids.

 

Currently I'm having some coaching regarding how to approach and be more attractive to women, where I've learnt a few useful things, such as body language and natural conversation techniques.

 

What do others think?

[darkshine]

Hi

 

It couldn't hurt - having someone to talk things like this through with and sort of use an example of what to do and test things out in a safe environment - problem is that in this world accessing things isn't always the easiest thing and there are too few people out there willing to help (at least where I live ).

 

I copy people I spend time with though - so if that person was a positive influence tied in with my own personal motivation then yes - I reckon it could offer vast improvements in my life progress...

 

How are you finding this coaching?

 

Darkshine

[Special_talent123]

My volunteering helps me socialise, and the volunteer youth worker is specialized in autism and its helping me develop my communication better. Literally my communication is improving.

 

I used to have sessional worker too but that helped me to get out into community to do things and stuff.

 

I lost my support due to social services cut back so i cant get back to choir

[trekster]

The university of Bath studied the effects of mentoring on it's autistic students. It found that

students who received mentoring did better and lasted longer at university to those who received none.

 

My mentor reminds me of my strengths and wrote me a glowing reference for university. She also pesters

SFE when im having problems with my DSA.

[Aeolienne]

The university of Bath studied the effects of mentoring on its autistic students. It found that

students who received mentoring did better and lasted longer at university to those who received none.

 

My mentor reminds me of my strengths and wrote me a glowing reference for university. She also pesters

SFE when im having problems with my DSA.

So what hope is there for those of us who were diagnosed long after leaving university?

[Lynden]

The charity I work for offers coaching to young people / adults with ADHD and / or autism and seems to get very good feedback as to it's effectiveness.

 

Lynne

[Aeolienne]

The charity I work for offers coaching to young people / adults with ADHD and / or autism and seems to get very good feedback as to its effectiveness.

 

Lynne

Do you happen to know if there is any equivalent organisation serving the Cambridge area?

[RainbowsButterflies]

Do you happen to know if there is any equivalent organisation serving the Cambridge area?

Try contacting Autism Initiatives. AFAIK they cover they whole of the UK.

[Aeolienne]

Try contacting Autism Initiatives. AFAIK they cover they whole of the UK.

Oh no they don't. Not the whole of England at any rate:

http://www.autisminitiatives.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=80:autism-initiatives-in-england&Itemid=19