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Women’s Group

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…?. Why?. “A minority within a minority”

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Women’s Group

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

  2. Women’s Group Why…?

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

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

  5. 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 4th 2008)

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

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

  8. 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)

  9. Why? 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…

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

  11. Why? Why? Increasing interest and recognition

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

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

  14. PREPARATION • Reading

  15. PREPARATION • Visit Leeds Asperger Adults Drop-in

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

  17. AIMS • Provide a safe and structured environment…

  18. AIMS • 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

  19. AIMS • to bring women who want to meet other women with Asperger Syndrome together!

  20. AIMS • Share experiences

  21. AIMS • Encourage mutual support

  22. AIMS • Friendship !

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

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

  25. ‘STRUCTURE’ • 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

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

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

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

  29. Challenges • DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES • DIFFERENT NEEDS • DIFFERENT IDEAS

  30. Balancing… independent VS dependent working VS unemployed disability VS identity happy relationshipsVS abusive / difficult relationships skill developmentVS neurotypical change

  31. Balancing… average intelligenceVSextremely clever straightVSgay under 20VSover 40 mental health issueVSno mental health issues adjusting to diagnosis VSdiagnosed early on

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

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

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

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

  36. Positive Feedback “I don’t feel as afraidof myself …as embarrassed …these other women are just like me …theyaccept me for who I am.”

  37. 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

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

  39.  Christine Telford, Trainee Clinical Psychologist Sheffield Asperger Syndrome Service Sheffield Care Trust NHS St George’s Community Health Centre Winter St S37ND Telephone (0114) 271 6964 Email Carol.Salkeld@sct.nhs.uk

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