New approaches to vocational training for people with autism
The aim of the project was to analyze new approaches and to filter out best practice examples or new training and theoretical approaches that are currently applied in the education of people with autism, both in Turkey and in other European countries. All these actions should contribute to increase the awareness of the parents of autistic children, to lead the children to vocational training, to increase the working efficiency and knowledge of the trainers in educational centers and to spread the possibilities of action of the teachers and students in vocational schools. In order to achieve the project goal, various project activities were carried out.
First of all, a needs analysis was made for the trainers working with the autistic children in order to work out the obstacles they face in the training process. Special attention was paid to what techniques and methods they already know and what skills they can still improve.
The second analysis refers to the parents: what problems they have as parents of autistic children, what therapy methods their children have participated in and what seminars they themselves have attended.
In all partner countries, the relevant data were collected and compared and evaluated in joint meetings. The brochure called "Autism" is a product of this cooperation and contains characteristics of the disorder and its symptoms. Another brochure, "Autism - Therapy Methods", contains the possibilities of introducing training for people with autism.
In addition, the consortium has produced documentation and an associated CD containing country-specific information on autism, a presentation of the living situation of people with autism in the partner countries, best practice examples and therapy methods. A project homepage was created to inform about the project activities and to publish the products and results. It was updated accordingly after each partner meeting. In order to best meet the project requirements, seven partner meetings were held in the participating countries.
During the project meetings, each partner organized visits to educational and vocational training institutions where autistic and mentally impaired people are trained, can acquire vocational skills and are involved in work processes. All partner organizations organized expert presentations during the visits.
Presentations during the visits
During the meetings, the project content, products and activities were discussed and evaluated. Furthermore, the progress of the project was evaluated by all partners in a monthly evaluation process. For the dissemination of the results, each of the participants had access to the project homepage and also linked it to their own company homepage. Each partner country presented the project results in their organization and shared the project results and knowledge gained with other interested parties.
Other activities were: Organization of meetings/seminars/conferences for the target group and the local population; cooperation with the schools, vocational training institutions, universities and NGOs; dissemination of the project results; publication of the news in the press or on the Internet in order to reach a larger group on a local and international level.
The cooperation with the partners and the joint elaboration of methods and best practices has strengthened the partnership of the participating institutions and thus made a significant contribution to the European dimension.
Products
As part of the project, a flyer was created that informs about essential basics of autism. It informs about its main characteristics and the essential needs of affected people.
Project partners