Innovation Exchange

40% of young people with autistic spectrum conditions (ASCs) do not have a single friend. Coping with school, dealing with change and communicating socially are real struggles. 40% are bullied, and more are marginalised, due to their perceived eccentric mannerisms, odd obsessions and poor social skills. A quarter are excluded from school at some point. They are frequently not welcomed to pursue their interests (e.g. sports, drama) at ‘mainstream’ groups, due to lack of understanding of, and capacity to deal with, their ASCs. Consequently, many end up very isolated. Research from the National Autistic Society shows that, without opportunities to develop social skills for everyday interactions, young people with ASCs are more likely to become involved in the criminal justice system, through either misunderstanding or exploitation. Only 6% go on to fulltime employment. Many families suffer from high levels of stress, and mental and emotional health difficulties. A survey by the Office of National Statistics found that almost two in every five children with ASCs live in ‘unhealthy functioning families’ – a rate twice as high as for other children. All of this is compounded by the scarce availability of support for families living with ASCs.

Aspire’s weekly social clubs enable 9-16 year-olds with ASCs to have fun and make friends whilst developing confidence and skills. They interact and enjoy their chosen activities (e.g. sport, construction toys), in a relaxed environment with a 1:1 ratio of adults to young people. Many staff and volunteers are close enough in age to club members to identify with their experiences. As relationships are built, adults are able to help the young people to calmly work through frustrations and anxieties. Through time in this ‘safe’ group setting young people are helped to develop confidence, social and life skills, and to improve their mental well-being – all of which enable them to cope better with school and other social situations, and to improve their behaviour. Young people are enabled to enjoy trips previously assumed impossible whilst families, including ‘young carer’ siblings, receive respite from care provision. This pioneering programme, developed in partnership with Umbrella Autism, is the only one of its kind in Cambridgeshire. “I wouldn’t have believed how just 1½ hours a week could make such a difference to a child’s behaviour …he is gaining confidence… he is not getting so stressed and his behaviour … at school has improved,” comments a parent of a boy with Asperger syndrome who enjoys Aspire.

We currently support 20 young people and their families, but estimate there are at least 58* more in Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire who would benefit from the programme, had we the resources to expand. As well as creating more spaces at the social clubs, we would like to invest more time in outreach and support for families. We aim to develop a specialist programme of preparation and support for the young people as they move from primary to secondary school – a difficult transition for many, but particularly for children with ASCs who need routine and continuity. Romsey Mill already has a successful programme working with other vulnerable children at this transition stage. The young people with ASCs need to start preparing for the school change in Year 5 to give adequate time to develop a peer network so that they will know at least one other person going to their secondary school. The youth worker and the young person’s family will have time to develop relationships with key school staff, such as the SENCo and head of year, and to give them a clear understanding of the young person’s strengths as well as areas of stress and difficulty. The young people can be led through a transitions programme, similar to the one we already use but tailored to their needs, that will introduce them to expectations and routines and that will give them plenty of time to raise their own concerns. A positive start to secondary school will give them the greatest opportunity to engage in employment in the future.

[* This is based on the population of 9-16 year-olds in the area, and the National Autistic Society’s statistical prevalence rates for Asperger syndrome. The rates for all ASCs show a figure of 234 nine-sixteen year-olds in the same area. We aim to work primarily with those who have high-functioning ASCs (including Asperger syndrome) because this is where the greatest gap in provision lies.]