1. Up against the glass
Loneliness and social isolation among young people with Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD and Tourette’s Syndrome
Image: © Liz de Jager
© 2017 Tracey Francis

2. We all need people… To feel valued and cared for
To develop our sense of self
To express ourselves
To be heard
To challenge/change us
To model positive/healthy behaviours
To share what’s important to us
To have fun
To have our needs met
To give us the chance to meet someone else’s needs
© 2017 Tracey Francis

3. Autism, ADHD, Tourette’s – what’s the big deal?
Triad of Impairments
Communication difficulties
Learning social interaction by rote
Difficulty processing information
Fixed patterns of thinking
Autism, ADHD, TS
Challenging behaviours (tics, compulsive behaviours, sensory difficulties, anxiety, anger)
Difficulty reading social cues/situations
Maybe developmental delay
© 2017 Tracey Francis

4. Square pegs in round holes?
Challenging for others
Personal issues – hygiene
Niche interests or enthusiasms
Direct to point of rudeness/overbearing
Intolerant of others
Repetitive behaviours
Not recognising social boundaries/personal space
Impulsiveness
Challenging for themselves
Physically and mentally exhausting
Scary and overwhelming
Feeling “different”
Mental health issues
© 2017 Tracey Francis

5. The slippery slope we want to avoid
Loneliness
Social isolation
Social exclusion
Low self esteem
Sadness
Anxiety/frustration
At risk of bullying
Reduced opportunities to practice essential life skills
Impact on achievement and life choices
Increased reliance on family
Less likely to be in employment, education or training
Less likely to form healthy/fulfilling relationships
Downward spiral
Vulnerability
Dependence on family
Challenging behaviours
Mental health issues
Poverty
Housing/employment issues
Alienation
Vulnerable to exploitation
Dependency
Drug/alcohol use
Higher likelihood of contact with criminal justice system
Physical/mental health issues
© 2017 Tracey Francis

6. “No friends come around.”
“She has started to alienate her friends. Due to her behaviour they can no longer cope with her outbursts.”
“No friends come around.”
“She doesn’t have any friends to spend lunchtime with.”
© 2017 Tracey Francis

7. Best days of your life?
Young people can be helped to develop strategies to manage their own behaviour
Don’t stop at inclusion – aim for integration
Model good behaviour and demonstrate acceptance/understanding
Embrace difference and diversity
Intervene immediately if problems arise – they won’t resolve themselves
Don’t underestimate the challenges someone is living with
Don’t assume someone will ask for help
Focus on person-centred support
Involve pupil and parents fully in planning and support
© 2017 Tracey Francis

8. “Clients come to my office to find a job, but within 30 minutes they switch topics and say they are lonely and can’t find relationships. Having friends, a girlfriend or a boyfriend, feeling respected in society – it’s one of the most important things in life.”
© 2017 Tracey Francis

9. School’s out forever Everything familiar suddenly changes
Peers move on
Lack of awareness – “hidden disability”
Lack of preparation/support around transition into adult life
Gaps in communication/services
Mental health support inadequate
Many activities assume the ability to engage – making them inaccessible to many in this group
Failure to focus on impact on the individual
© 2017 Tracey Francis

10. What needs to change?
Urgent need to identify a professional in adult services to be responsible for the individual plan
More “second chance” options for young people whose qualifications do not match their abilities
Greater access to specialist life coaching/planning
Combating social isolation needs to be a core part of support packages and programmes
Mental health support to reflect individual need
Quantity AND quality of relationships needed
Early intervention approach to problems
Increased awareness of these conditions
Improved support for families
© 2017 Tracey Francis

11. You got a friend in me Recognise the challenges
Be resilient – someone may not mean to be rude
Be clear and precise about arrangements. Do NOT change things at the last minute
Be clear about boundaries
Try to find a shared interest and do it together
Think – simple things make a big difference
Listen – take what people say seriously and don’t assume you know best
Encourage a network of relationships
Be positive and encouraging – build confidence, independence and self esteem
© 2017 Tracey Francis

12. It Takes All Kinds of Minds
Guidelines and practical suggestions
Life on the Edge of the Cliff
Key themes
Cultural approach
Arriving at a positive outcome
Getting the right support at the right time
Therapeutic interventions
Changing role of parents, carers and families
© 2017 Tracey Francis

13. Life on the Edge of the Cliff
Mindroom
© 2017 Tracey Francis