Providing support for people with Asperger Syndrome / Higher Functioning Autism. Projects & Services. Social Workers & Care Managers

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1 Providing support for people with Asperger Syndrome / Higher Functioning Autism Projects & Services Social Workers & Care Managers

2 Who are we? ASGMA, The Autistic Society Greater Manchester Area is a Registered Charity. We work with a wide range of people of all ages who have an Autistic Spectrum Condition, their families, guardians and carers. From our head office based in Stretford, we provide services across all ten Metropolitan Boroughs of the Greater Manchester area, (see map on back for details). What is Aspirations? Aspirations is a service which provides a comprehensive range of support, as well as social and creative activities for people with Asperger Syndrome / Higher Functioning Autism aged ten and above. There is no upper age limit meaning we work with people registered with children's and adults services. Who do we work with? Aspirations provides services to people who: Are aged 10 and over (no upper age limit); and have been diagnosed with a higher functioning Autistic Spectrum Condition (e.g. Asperger Syndrome or Higher Functioning Autism) People who could reasonably expect such a diagnosis If you are not sure if your client would be suitable for the service, please contact the Aspirations Project Co-ordinator. As well as an Autistic Spectrum Condition, our clients may have been diagnosed with other conditions. We are currently working with clients who have also been diagnosed with: Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dysphasia, Dyslexia, Epilepsy, Physical Disability, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Tourette Syndrome and Mental Health problems, amongst others.

3 What services do we offer? Resource Centre day support and classes Youth Clubs Group Support Sporting and physical activities Support and outreach support Independent Travel Training Short break holidays School / College holiday activities Training and support for others working with someone with Asperger Syndrome / Higher Functioning Autism Resource Centre Our Resource Centre is based at the Head Office in Stretford. We provide a range of activities including adult day support, classes and youth clubs at the centre. The centre includes computers and internet access, music, arts and crafts room, games rooms, counselling room, training suite and a resource library. Our trained staff are always on hand during Resource Centre sessions to provide information and support, helping people to engage as fully as possible with the activities and other service users. Our day support sessions run from 10am to 3.30pm to provide a full day of respite for parents/ carers. Aspirations is fantastic, it helped me to develop so much. It has given me a sense of belonging and a greater understanding of who I am Youth Clubs We run shorter (3 hour) targeted Resource Centre sessions for our younger service users, aged

4 Group Support Staff run group sessions (usually up to six members and two staff but can be bigger both in numbers and staff ratios) which mainly take place outside the Resource Centre and run for around 3 hours. They are usually based around social interaction activities, such as ten pin bowling, shopping, cinema trips, pub nights, meals out and other mainstream activities. Groups include our Girls Groups, younger aged small groups and our over 18 s group. Sporting and physical activities We run physical activities in groups of varying sizes to address the physical wellbeing of our clients. Activities include swimming, football and hiking. These can provide up to a full day of respite for parents / carers Support Aspirations has given me a new lease of life, it has supported me to travel to college independently Trained autism specialist staff members will work with a single client, supporting them to perform practical tasks such as attending a medical appointment, holding down a job, being able to attend college or a learning experience, using public transport, cooking a meal, money management, accessing advice services, accessing social and leisure activities, living independently. This is a tailored service, and is flexible enough to meet each client s needs. The service is designed to give our clients greater social and life skills, as well as greater independence.

5 What do clients get out of Aspirations? All our services are aimed at helping our service users gain new skills and live more independent lives. As autism is a complex disability affecting social communication, social interaction and imaginative thinking the social interaction provided through Aspirations generally is just as important as the more practical skills we support clients with. Without the support we can provide, our service users are often extremely socially isolated non-coping children and adults. Often this leads to mental health issues and an inability to cope with day-to-day life and the challenges it provides Please contact: How do I refer a client to your services? Through Aspirations I have gained confidence and a positive outlook for the future The Aspirations Project Coordinator Phone: aspirations@ asgma.org.uk We will send you a referral form for you to complete with your client. We can also send you a list of our current charges and indicative costs. On receiving your referral and authorisation, we will arrange a meeting with the referred / you and the referred to discuss what they want and what we may be able to provide. We will develop an individual service plan, with costings, and provide further information about funding.

6 Who pays for the service? This depends on the client and their own circumstances. Examples include: Direct Payments / In Control funding attached to a care plan A service level agreement / contract with a local authority social care provision The client may contribute through benefits such as Disability Living Allowance The funding situation is complex and changes frequently. We will discuss it with you on a case-by-case basis and work with you and your client to put together an appropriate funding package. For further information please contact the Aspirations Project Coordinator. How long can we access the Aspirations service for? This will depend on several factors including our resources and ability to meet particular needs and the continuity of funding. Autism is a complex life long condition and we recognise that for many people support for life will be needed. After years of hitting brick walls, it was a relief for my son to be referred to the Aspirations Project. I can now relax in knowing that he has somewhere he can fit-in, be helped and understood, rather than being bullied and ostracised

7 Do you provide transport to enable people to get to and from the Resource Centre and activities? We encourage, where feasible, service users to travel independently to our Resource Centre. If going on an activity requiring transport such as a Rambling Day, mini bus transport is provided. Our home and community support services staff use their own vehicles, which are insured for the purpose. Where staff pick up clients, a charge may be made to cover costs. Staff can provide public transport training (where funded) to support service users who are able to travel independently. Staff Team There is a permanent and casual (bank) staff team who receive regular autism and related conditions specific training. All staff and volunteers used by the service have enhanced police checks in place. The staff are specialists in working with people with Asperger Syndrome / Higher Functioning Autism and supporting them to achieve their Aspirations. One of the things I had a lot of help with was travelling independently, which I could not do because of anxiety. I am very happy now as I can use public transport the meeting people and socialising has also been very helpful Interested? Please contact us for further details.

8 Supporting individuals, their families, guardians and carers affected by an Autistic Spectrum Condition in Greater Manchester For more information on the Aspirations Project, please contact the Aspirations Project Co-ordinator at: Autistic Society Greater Manchester Area 1114 Chester Rd Stretford Manchester M32 0HL Tel: Web: Registered Charity Number: Company Limited by Guarantee: Aspirations Projects & Services Leaflet: 0310 : 1000