Dear all, 

Thank you so much to all those who replied to me on the subject of
setting up some sort of support network for HE students with Asperger
Syndrome.  I've had many really useful replies, and several colleagues
have asked for a summary of these.  Attached is a basic list of the sort
of support networks that might seem feasible, based on these replies and
my own thoughts.

I've copied the information below too, just in case the attachment
doesn't work. 

Best wishes, 

Harriet

Harriet Cannon

Disability Coordinator
University of Leeds
0113 343 7538
[log in to unmask] 
____________________________________________

TYPES OF SUPPORT NETWORKS

FACE TO FACE MEETINGS

	*	Structured meetings to discuss relevant topics e.g.
stress and anxiety, body language, initiating conversations, social
situations etc - who would facilitate such meetings? Could be run in
conjunction with Student Counselling and/or Skills Centre or equivalent

	*	Social meetings or outings with no agenda, just a chance
for students with AS to meet each other regularly. Could watch a DVD, go
to the cinema, or go out for a walk.  Possible assistance from local NAS
branch in arranging these?

	*	Themed sessions, such as music workshops, creative
writing workshops, board games sessions.  Could involve other university
departments in putting on workshops, as long as they had appropriate
support in adapting such workshops to suit people with AS

	*	Social communication programme - exploring methods and
opportunities for practising social interaction

	*	Society set up through Student Union, although this
would probably rely on the students themselves arranging meetings and
activities without any assistance


WEB-BASED AND EMAIL SUPPORT

	*	Email-based discussion list (like Dis Forum) which could
be run through JISCmail.  Could be restricted to one institution, or
opened out to all HEIs, although this already exists in some form at
http://www.larry-arnold.info/Neurodiversityeu/ (not sure how much this
is used?).  Who would moderate this? Who would be allowed to subscribe?

	*	Web-based forum - many examples of these can be found
through a Google search, or by looking at the list on the NAS website at
http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1401&a=13580 .  Could set
up an institute-specific forum.  Issues of privacy and ensuring that
students posting here are not subject to bullying or exploitation.  Who
would moderate this?

	*	Facebook - already used by many groups within many
universities, e.g. Halls of Residence, academic groups.  Familiar to
many students.  Would allow AS students to create more of a profile,
would become more 'personal' (although this may present difficulties).
Facebook privacy settings can allow for a closed group which is not
listed and is by invitation only, so relatively secure.  Would need a
moderator/administrator.  

	*	Online forums or email lists could also be used by
prospective students, especially those with offers, to find out more
about what it will be like at university and to answer any concerns.
Form of peer mentoring?  Could continue once the student has arrived.


THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

	*	Who would facilitate any face-to-face meetings? Boundary
issues if this was to be run by a member of the Disability Team,
especially if meetings were in a social context.  Disability Coordinator
could assist with admin, and could be present at the meetings, but
ideally these should be run by someone not involved with the students'
day to day support.

	*	Likely to be a need for someone to facilitate any face
to face meetings due to problem of getting those with difficulties in
social interaction and communication to communicate and interact in a
social situation.  Also need to consider at what time of day these
sessions could be run, is there an available room etc.  Would it be held
in Disability Services, or elsewhere?

	*	When dealing with online forums, Facebook etc, real need
to have a moderator to keep check on the nature of the discussion.  Who
would this moderator be? Again, probably best if it's not one of the
Disability Team to maintain boundaries.  In order to use Facebook, even
in a closed group, students would have a Facebook profile which could be
exploited by others outside the closed group.

	*	Need to consult with AS students to find out what they
want and need, and the most appropriate format for this.  No point
setting up something that won't be used.

	*	Data protection issues.

____________________________________________

Harriet Cannon

Disability Coordinator
The Equality Service
Ground Floor, Social Sciences Building
University of Leeds
Leeds, LS2 9JT

Tel: 0113 343 7538
Fax: 0113 343 3944

[log in to unmask]
www.equality.leeds.ac.uk

 <<Types of support networks.doc>>