AS Placement Susannah Doyle

Aspergers Syndrome “ I have Aspergers Syndrome. Mainly this effects me socially, making it difficult for me to socialise and communicate effectively and confidently. This means I can struggle to fit in and make friends, as well as struggling in things such as group work. It also results in other issues such as my senses of sight, hearing and touch being oversensitive, difficulty processing spoken information ands being prone to being anxious and stressed. Although in some regards I see myself as mature (such as how loyal and honest I am) I am aware that I can appear childish to people and that I am emotionally immature.” Sept 2011

Student Voice Pre Entry students (all disabilities) No evidence of a lack of aspiration compared to other disabilities. Intention to do/consider a placement

Student Voice Current students Four responses. None of which had/intended to undertake a placement. What are your future career/work plans? “ Uncertain” “ I am not sure” “perhaps stay in academia”

Student Voice Graduates No responses to date

Placement staff 11 staff responded working in a placement related role Disclosure concerns Feedback from employers where it is a ‘seen’ disability generally positive “We have had some autistic students but they have not shown any interest in placements before”.

Support Workers Specialist support staff Transitional issues to complex Bullying at work a concern Actively discouraged from applying Disclosure concerns Don’t appear to go on placements

Going forward Project lead hoping to expand student voice element in other HEI’s Gain a understanding of the employer perspective Produce materials that assist related staff (department, careers, employers?) in assisting students Raising aspirations (anecdotal parental feedback)