The module sounds like a good idea to me.
I'd refer students to the following career guidance organisations, both of
which support students and graduates with Asperger's.
<http://www.autism.org.uk/prospects>
<http://www.employ-ability.org.uk/>
Barry Hayward
Disability Coordinator
Student Support Services
Goldsmiths, University of London
--On 28 January 2009 12:08 +0000 Harriet Cannon
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Sorry Peter - Autism Spectrum Conditions.
>
> Harriet Cannon
> Disability Coordinator (Asperger Syndrome / Specialist Mentor Scheme
> Coordinator) University of Leeds
> 0113 343 7538
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Hill Sent: 28
> January 2009 12:03
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Professional Skills modules and ASC students
>
> Hi
>
> Excuse my ignorance - but what are ASCs? (Autistic Spectrum ...???)
>
> Peter
>
> Harriet Cannon wrote:
>> Hello everyone,
>>
>> Here at Leeds a number of our students with ASCs (primarily Asperger
>> Syndrome) are experiencing difficulties with the Professional Skills
>> module that has recently become compulsory as part of all undergraduate
>> degrees. This module is a result of the University's 'Leeds for Life'
>> initiative, which is connected to the DIUS 'Higher Education at Work:
>> High Skills, High Value' consultation (April 2008). It's all to do with
>> employability and getting students to focus on, and market their
>> abilities, skills and attributes in relation to their future
>> employability. The module is worth 20 credits, and is therefore a
>> significant part of their final grade.
>>
>> In practice the module seems to be very much based on self-reflection
>> and self-analysis, such as evaluating past experience and working out
>> strengths and weaknesses. There is a large element of self-promotion,
>> such as writing CVs and completing fictional job applications. There is
>> also an element of imagination, such as imagining oneself in certain
>> careers and writing about how one might perceive these careers once in
>> post. Clearly, all these elements can be extremely difficult for many
>> students with ASCs, to the point where they are unable to complete
>> assignments relating to the module. I am also worried that these
>> assignments are reinforcing some students' negative impressions of
>> themselves, and therefore adding to existing low self-esteem.
>>
>> Has anyone else come across this problem? I'm hoping to persuade the
>> University to consider alternative assessment for the learning outcomes
>> for this module - does anyone have any examples of what form alternative
>> assessment in the area of Professional Skills might take? One
>> department has come up with the possibility of using a student's
>> personal website (which is very much connected to his degree), but that
>> wouldn't work for most students.
>>
>> Many thanks,
>>
>> Harriet
>> ____________________________________________
>> Harriet Cannon
>> Disability Coordinator (Asperger Syndrome / Specialist Mentor Scheme
>> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
>
> Peter J Hill
>
> Tel: 01905 391 547
> Mobile: 07751 792711
>
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
> -----------------------------------
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