In partnership with the NI Executive and as part of the Central Good Relations programme, Specialisterne NI, an Autism at Work social enterprise, is hosting a number of FREE social communication and team working workshops for pupils on the Autistic Spectrum across Northern Ireland.

What will ‘Second Thoughts’ involve?

Second Thoughts will involve taking part in two workshops:

1. A Lego Mindstorms Workshop where participants build Lego Mindstorms Robots in small teams.

Specialisterne Autism Consultants observe participants working in small teams and prepare individual Social Communication Profiles. These are then shared with each participant, which helps identify individual strengths in relation to managing a task and team working. Young people’s feedback from Lego Workshops has included:
‘It’s opened up mind on things. I never thought I was good at communicating, or working in a team, I may have more qualities than I think’
‘I found it very engaging and it allowed me to understand more about myself and also understand more about others.’
‘It made me feel that I can work with like-minded individuals. Also it was fun, not just by working together but by socialising with them getting to know them.’
‘It gave me more insight into what skills I have and how to develop that further.’
‘I found being a part of a team useful and having to do a task in a group and working with others’

You can find out more about Lego Workshops here:  https://www.specialisterneni.com/about-us/assessment/

2. A Social Communication and Team Working Workshop where a professional actor acts out communication scenarios experienced by people on the  Autistic Spectrum.

Participants observe true-to-life scenarios and discuss strategies to overcome attitudinal and communication barriers. This workshop will also look at what it is like to be on the Autistic Spectrum in N Ireland. Young people’s feedback from Social Communication Workshops has included:
‘I really liked how they gave different viewpoints of different people on the spectrum.’
‘I liked the way there were roleplayed parts  to show people what it might be like for someone with Autism in that situation.’

Who are Specialisterne NI?

Specialisterne NI, a not-for-profit social enterprise, is part of the international Specialisterne network that has worked in 13 countries, for 13 years to support young people and adults on the Autistic Spectrum to prepare for, secure, and thrive in rewarding careers. The Specialisterne NI team have studied Autism to Masters level. We have worked with over 300 young people and adults on the Autistic Spectrum in N Ireland, supporting individuals to better recognise their own strengths and abilities, and supporting employers, colleges, universities and organisations to better understand how to develop the skills of people on the Autistic Spectrum.

Why Second Thoughts?

In focus groups with young people and adults on the Autistic Spectrum, participants have identified attitudinal and social communication barriers as the two main obstacles to being of communities. ‘Second Thoughts’ workshops seek to support pupils to learn more about social communication, identifying individual strengths and challenges, learning communication strategies, and supporting participants to better understand attitudinal barriers and how to work around these.
Second Thoughts workshops are informed by Autism theory, and the daily lived experience of young people and adults on the Autistic Spectrum in N Ireland.

Who should attend?

Second Thoughts is a programme for pupils aged 14-18  who identify with being on the Autistic Spectrum (a diagnosis or statement is not required). We welcome all enquiries about attending the workshops.

Specialisterne NI invites schools in N. Ireland to take part in ‘Second Thoughts’.

Should your school be interested in participating in Second Thoughts, or to book places for pupils, please contact Sharon Didrichsen, Manager, Specialisterne NI
Email: sharond@specialisterneni.com
Mob: 07565 936191
The Specialisterne NI team will meet with participating schools and will be available to meet with pupils to answer any questions regarding Second Thoughts.
Workshops will be scheduled at times that suit participating schools.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NUMBER OF FREE WORKSHOPS ARE LIMITED.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Specialisterne NI is delighted to launch 2gether, a new project for adults on the Autistic Spectrum which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund. The result of 2 years consultation with adults on the Autistic Spectrum in N Ireland, 2gether will help people on the Autistic Spectrum develop strategies to progress in careers, connect with each other, overcome attitudinal barriers, and feel better represented in society.

What makes 2gether different is that it has been developed in consultation with people on the Autistic Spectrum, who have decided on what the 2gether project should aim to achieve, as well as details regarding what the project activities (e.g. small groups) should look like, or not look like. As a core concept, 2gether aims to facilitate people on the Autistic Spectrum to support each other, through deciding on project activities, and problem solving together.

Sharon Didrichsen, Manager, Specialisterne NI, comments ‘We are delighted that the Big Lottery Fund has supported 2gether, enabling us to bring to life the thoughts and ideas shared with us by many people on the Autistic Spectrum in N Ireland. As usual, it is the thoughts and words of people on the Autistic Spectrum that hold the key for solutions for people on the Autistic Spectrum. We are privileged to play a role in facilitating 2gether and are excited at what lies ahead.’

2gether activities will include weekly bookable 1-1 clinics where participants can meet individually with project staff. There will be fortnightly coffee meet-ups and interest groups, monthly group workshops where participants can vote on expert speakers to invite, and quarterly group projects such as exploring virtual reality and video modelling. The project will have a ‘hop on-hop off’ style which means participants can access the project when needed, and can choose the parts that suit best. 2gether will offer participants different ways of connecting with others, from emailing ideas and voting online, to interest groups and workshops.

People involved in design of the project have welcomed the news of the Big Lottery Funding. This is what some of the people, across N Ireland, who have contributed to the design of 2gether, have said:

‘Two main things about life as an autistic person.

“As someone with Aspergers and recently diagnosed, this programme gives me something that I’ve not had in a long time – hope. What I hope for is a sense of community, of support, understanding and empathy for those on the spectrum – for that’s what we are; a spectrum of different quirks, irks and personalities. I believe this could be the beginning of something truly helpful to those who need it.” Patrick

‘I’m thankful knowing there’s always a floor to fall back on, rather than a void without any next step or obvious escape.’ Michael

‘Anything that can increase awareness, promote understanding and lead to cooperation is a great thing.’ Stephen

We are welcoming applications for 2gether from adults on the Autistic Spectrum of all ages. For more information or to register for 2gether, contact Sharon Didrichsen on 07565 936191 or email: sharond@specialisterne.com

Note: the 2gether logo has been developed by artist Karen Tighe http://www.karentighe.com

Learn how to manage, work alongside or coach employees with social communication difference in the workplace such as Autism, Aspergers or who display related characteristics. Working with a professional actor, we role play true-to-life scenarios of communication differences at work and use videos to support the learning experience.

Venue: Skainos, 239 Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 1AF

Date: Friday 26 May

Level 1 Workshop: Managing or Working Alongside Employees with Social Communication Difference Time: 9:30am-12pm

The session will include:

– Developing an understanding of what behaviours of Social Communication Difference (such as Autism/Aspergers) may look like in the workplace
– Increasing understanding of the experience of Autism at in work
– Enhancing confidence in working with people with communication difference or who are on the Autistic Spectrum
– Observation of role-plays that represent real life situations and around table discussions about these.

Level 2 Workshop: Coaching Employees with Social Communication Difference

Time: 1pm-3:30pm

The session will include:

– Developing an understanding of workstyles of employees with Social Communication Difference
– Increasing understanding of the coaching situation and how social communication difference can be supported in this context
– Opportunity to take part in role plays with professional actor to try out coaching techniques

Recent feedback includes:

• Role plays from the presenters were very effective.
• The best training workshop I have ever attended
• I enjoyed the pacing and felt all info given was extremely relevant and was not overloaded with info.
• I enjoyed the Role plays/ Great Presenters
• I enjoyed the real life experiences.
• Brilliant training.
• Good mix of interactive and slides.
• Enjoyed the pace of delivery and the fact that the trainers were obviously knowledgeable and passionate about the subject.
• The best part of the training programme.

Please note that the cost for individual workshops is £135 (discounts for multiple bookings). A light breakfast/lunch is included.

Numbers of attendees are limited to 15 per workshop.

This workshop can be delivered in house, and additional workshops are also available, such as  Interviewing people with a Social Communication Difference, or Becoming a Diversity Champion. For details contact Sharond@specialisterne.com

Specialisterne NI have been selected by Techies in Residence to develop future online training in working with employees who have a social communication difference.

Book through Eventbrite (£135 + Eventbrite booking fee £8.96) or contact Sharon Didrichsen, Manager, Specialisterne NI Tel 07565 936191, email sharond@specialisterne.com to request an invoice.

Managing Workshop

Coaching Workshop

Shelley Corrigan

Shelley Corrigan shares her experiences of working at Software House Tascomi where Shelley has been working for a number of years.

Read the BBC news feature here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39095368

or watch the BBC News feature on BBC iplayer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08fvpn5/bbc-newsline-evening-news-27022017 (Feature starts at 15 minutes).

Great to see Shelley and Tascomi’s experience highlighted and shared.

#goodpractice #diversity #works

For details on how your company can recruit talented people who have a social communication difference, or to see how Specialisterne can help you achieve your career, contact Sharon Didrichsen at:

sharond@specialisterne.com

Mob. 07565 936191