Description
The aim of the project is to set up up socio-therapeutic self-help groups for young people living with autism and parents, who have children living with autism. The project fosters the social integration of young adults living with autism by providing a supportive environment for them. In the groups they develop new behaviors and skills that enable the participants to live a more autonomous life. They develop a network of contacts and partnerships that will strengthen their competence and advocacy capacity. The parents are supported in being able to let their children become more autonomous. The target group of the project are young adults with autism, their families as well as autism professionals. The socio-therapeutic groups help in coping with the feelings of isolation and helplessness of the participants. In the second part of the project, the groups will transform to self-help groups, involving young volunteer professionals as well. The groups will be open in this stage, accepting new members.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project is to establish self-help groups for youth with autism/Aspergers and for their parents. In the one year process (from March, 2015 to March, 2016) both groups started out with 15 sessions of self-exploration through art therapy so that the group members learn about themselves and the other group members, and also establish the essential values the future self-help group is based on. The next 15 sessions are lead by the group members themselves – with the efficient support of the art therapists – preparing themselves for the self-help group management in the future. In the last 5 sessions the group works independently, without the presence of the original group leaders. The group of the young people is lead by Anita Magdu and Sarolta Kruss, art therapists. The group needed two leaders because the members are from the wide spectrum of autism/Aspergers syndrome and needed personal support in the group. The parents’ group is lead by Marietta Gargya, art therapist. Both groups are supervised by László Németh. The experiences of the groups are shared with specialists, students and people affected by the issue in two workshops. The experiences of the groups are described in two papers and published on the website.
Summary of bilateral results