The Friendship Network Fills Gap in Autism Vocational Services
Industry: Healthcare
The Friendship Network, a nonprofit organization in Northborough, MA, is adding “soft skills” vocational training and internships to their autism services.
Northborough, MA (PRUnderground) May 29th, 2016
Up to 80% of people on the autism spectrum are unemployed. Even when they have the hard skills to do a job, they often lack interpersonal skills and have difficulty with problem solving, communication, and prioritization. These “soft skills” are closely related to socialization, and are extremely challenging for people on the autism spectrum. Herein lies a large gap in services for students with autism after they graduate from high school. The Friendship Network, a nonprofit organization in Northborough, MA, aims to fill in this gap by offering a specialized soft skills program.
Nancy Swanberg, founder and executive director of the organization, explains. “Experience alone is not enough for employees with autism to gain these skills. Soft skills are best taught when the teaching approach is tailored to the individual’s learning style.”
Last year, The Friendship Network launched a novel pilot internship program to teach soft skills to young adults on the autism spectrum. It confirmed three important insights about the impact of autism. First, on-the-job interactions involve subtleties the intern might not be able to recognize or report, therefore we cannot provide the necessary help without firsthand on site observation and supervision. Second, soft skills must be taught in a relatable way, using examples that the intern has experienced or witnessed. The more personal the better. Third, learning soft skills often provokes anxiety. Participants explained that the very thought of going to a job site is scary. Clearly a sensitive and individualized approach is needed, the hallmark of the Friendship Network philosophy.
Moving forward, The Friendship Network has created a soft skills vocational program for young adults on the spectrum who do not have developmental disabilities, precisely the individuals who have fallen into the gap and sorely need this service to maximize their potential for satisfying employment. The program involves a vocational class and includes a supervised internship component. Master’s level counselors work directly with the interns throughout all parts of the program in order to assure a supportive and nurturing learning environment in the classroom and on the job.
The Friendship Network’s six-week summer internship for people on the spectrum ages 18-25 begins July 11, 2016. For more information go to: www.networkforchildren.org
About The Friendship Network for Children
Incorporated in 2004, The Friendship Network for Children, Inc. is an ambitious mental health non-profit that provides counseling, training and advocacy for children, teens, and young adults with Autism. The organization’s goal is to accept people for who they are while providing services to improve their well-being using the Connection Formula®. For more information, visit www.networkforchildren.org.
