The following contributions were made at the Conference: Supporting Students with Asperger Syndrome in Higher Education on 23rd November 2011.
What is Asperger Syndrome?
Dr. Luke Beardon, The Autism Centre, Sheffield Hallam University
Dr. Luke Beardon has worked in the field of autism for approximately 20 years and has vast practical experience of working with people with Autism and Asperger syndrome. He currently lectures in Autism and Asperger syndrome at all academic levels as well as providing consultancy around the country.
His publications include co-authoring the ASPECT consultancy report, the largest consultation with adults with AS undertaken at the time. He is also co-editor of the series ‘Adults Speak Out About Asperger Syndrome’ published by Jessica Kingsley, the latest in the series being ‘Aspies on Mental Health’ (March 2011).
Click on the link for Luke's presentation and sound track.
Including AS Students in Learning, Teaching and Assessment activities, Dr. Di Drummond, Associate Principal Lecturer, Leeds Trinity University College
Dr. Di Drummond is an internationally recognised expert in railway history: her research ranges from the labour relations in ‘railway towns’ to the cultural role of the nineteenth century railway in offering new opportunities to women. She is also extremely interested in the learning and teaching of History in higher education, has had a number of Higher Education Academy grants to explore and develop best practice in this area, and is a regular contributor to the annual conference of the History Subject Centre.
As well as numerous publications on the History of British Railways, she has written several conference papers on inclusive practices in learning, teaching and assessment in History. She works closely with Dyslexia & Disability Services at Leeds Trinity to deliver effective support for students with Asperger Syndrome and other disabilities.
AS students History.ppt
Employment opportunities for graduates with AS
Eleanor Sharpe and Daniel Aherne, Prospects, The National Autistic Society
Eleanor Sharpe is the student and graduate coordinator at Prospects, the National Autistic Society’s specialist employment and student service.
Eleanor manages the Prospects graduate employment service “Transitions”. This is a specialist service involving working with corporate partners to assist graduates with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) to find suitable employment.
Eleanor also coordinates Prospects student mentoring across universities throughout London. An integral part of the service is training staff in Further and Higher Education. Prospects have launched a series of nationwide training seminars to raise awareness of ASDs and promote best practice within Universities.
Daniel Aherne has worked with children and adults with an ASD for over ten years in the fields of education, social care and training.
His role at Prospects primarily involves supporting organisations to develop inclusive workplace practices for individuals with an ASD. Daniel is a major advocate of the benefits of Volunteering for individuals with ASDs. He has developed various projects to encourage social inclusion through volunteering.
He also assists with delivery of nationwide training, student mentoring and graduate employment support. Daniel has a Post-Graduate Certificate in Asperger’s syndrome.
Employment Opportunities
The Student Experience
Students from Leeds Trinity discuss their experiences of Asperger Syndrome and studying
Victoria Morgan (known as Tori) is a final year student studying a BA (Hons) in History at Leeds Trinity. She has mild Asperger's syndrome and a younger sister with severe autistic tendencies. She was born in London and moved to Leeds in 2008, aged 19. After working for she started university in 2009, aged 20.
Tori enjoys the student experience immensely and encourages others with autistic spectrum disorders to come to university for a fulfilling academic and social life.
Matthew Hornby is in the second year of a four year BA in Primary Education (Junior Years). Matthew is originally from the Greater Manchester area and moved to the Leeds in 2010. Now aged 22, he divides his time between Manchester and Leeds.
Jennifer Jackson graduated in 2009 with a 2:1 degree in Theology from Leeds Trinity. She then went to York University to study for an MA Practical Ethics and graduated in 2010. In September this year she returned to Leeds Trinity and is now doing a PGCE in RE (Secondary Education).
Jenny originally felt hesitant about participating in the conference because she has had negative experiences of telling people about her Asperger Syndrome in the past. However she decided to do it in order to raise awareness about people with AS and show that they can and do achieve a lot. She believes people with AS should be given more credit for what they can do rather than focussing on what they struggle with.
Follow the students and read their answers to your questions by visiting our Facebook page.