Women’s Group Sheffield Asperger Syndrome Service Sheffield Care Trust NHS St George’s Community Health Centre Winter St S37ND Christine Telford (3 rd Yr. Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Women’s Group Why…?

“A minority within a minority” (Catherine Faherty, 2006) Why?

“Neurological science has not yet acknowledged the significant numbers of females who are on the autistic spectrum” (Dale Smith, Communication, 2008)

Why? “Women and girls tend to be pushed to the sidelines of any coverage of autism and Asperger’s syndrome” (Joanna Moorhead, The Guardian, June 4 th 2008)

Why? “I usually feel uncomfortable in all-male support groups” (Service User Quote)

Why? “I want to meet other women with Asperger Syndrome.” (Service User Quote)

Why? “It’s not that the problems or challenges we experience are more serious than those of men with Asperger Syndrome… they’re sometimes just different ” (Service User Quote)

UNDER DIAGNOSED  Effortful learning vs intuition  ‘Little philosophers’ Better coping and camouflaging…  Less idiosyncratic/eccentric interests  Fewer motor coordination problems  Fewer conduct problems ‘ Disappear’ in large groups… Why?

 Asheville, North Carolina TEACCH Centre Women’s Group Catherine Faherty (Psychoeducational Specialist)  UK Groups London Liverpool Why?

Increasing interest and recognition Why?

“Women with autism often struggle…because they lack what is often taken for granted in women” (Joanna Moorhead, The Guardian, June 4 th 2008)

Why? DIFFICULTIES understanding thoughts and feelings social communication social interaction SOCIETY’S EXPECTATIONS & STEREOTYPES school cliques fashion ‘multi-taskers’ ‘natural empathy’ unspoken relationship ‘roles’ & ‘rules’ PLUS Why? UNIQUE CHALLENGES

PREPARATION  Reading

 Visit Leeds Asperger Adults Drop-in PREPARATION

Advice -National Autistic Society -Sue Prestwood, Counsellor -Sheffield Hallam University Monday Club -Potential Group Members! PREPARATION

AIMS  Provide a safe and structured environment…

 Working in Partnership Working closely together Shared decision-making Complementary expertise Agreed aims and process Mutual trust and respect Openness and Honesty Clear Communication Understanding/ flexibility Negotiation AIMS

 to bring women who want to meet other women with Asperger Syndrome together! AIMS

 Share experiences AIMS

 Encourage mutual support AIMS

 Friendship ! AIMS

INVITATIONS  10 women invited Most replied within the week  7 regular members Those who didn’t come …diagnosis too recent …travel distance too far

‘STRUCTURE’  Large meeting room  12 meetings  Weekly  10.30am – 12.00am  Tea / coffee break

 Talking and sharing together -In pairs and in the larger group -Writing / drawing ideas -Role play -Sharing useful sources of information -Selecting important ‘topics’ for each week -Feedback ‘STRUCTURE’

‘Topics’  Group Ground rules  Sharing experiences  Things that help!  Strengths!!!  Education and employment  Staying Safe  Relationships  Sensory Sensitivities  Asperger Syndrome – improving awareness

Challenges  Time! (never enough)  Pace  Allowing everyone a voice  Structure vs flexibility  Managing unstructured time (before / break / after)

Challenges  Fear of offending / hurting others  Supporting individual needs - getting out the room - ‘time-out’ - support outside group  Managing emotions

 DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES  DIFFERENT NEEDS  DIFFERENT IDEAS Challenges

Balancing… independent VS dependent working VS unemployed disability VS identity happy relationships VS abusive / difficult relationships skill development VS neurotypical change

average intelligence VS extremely clever straight VS gay under 20 VS over 40 mental health issue VS no mental health issues adjusting to diagnosis VS diagnosed early on Balancing…

Positive Feedback “What I enjoy most about the group is just being there with other people with Aspergers”

“I found talking about real problems and situations based on experiences helpful” Positive Feedback

“ I felt I wasn’t alone – the only person in the world with this disability” Positive Feedback

“I have gained friends from this group which has given me confidence ” Positive Feedback

“ I don’t feel as afraid of myself …as embarrassed …these other women are just like me …they accept me for who I am.” Positive Feedback

Also Positive!  Planning together how to evaluate the group  Exchanging details …forming friendships!  Meeting outside the group – fun / support  Dale’s Communication article  Improving staff training

Also Positive! Women’s Group The Future… How continue How to include others

Christine Telford, Trainee Clinical Psychologist Sheffield Asperger Syndrome Service Sheffield Care Trust NHS St George’s Community Health Centre Winter St S37ND Telephone (0114)