Neurodivergent- Optimising learning outcomes for young adults diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in VET, through a functional training program Erasmus Project

Project Title

Neurodivergent- Optimising learning outcomes for young adults diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in VET, through a functional training program

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Disabilities – special needs; Early School Leaving / combating failure in education; Pedagogy and didactics

Project Summary

Asperger syndrome is a developmental disability on the autism spectrum. It is characterised mainly by difficulties with social interaction, communication and some cognitive processing difficulties, which include executive function, sensory perception and the ability to comprehend the perspective of others. The presence of idiosyncratic interests is also a characteristic of Asperger syndrome. National Autism Indicators Report: Transition into Young Adulthood study from the USA from 2017 found that fewer than 20 percent of college students with autism had graduated or were even on track to graduate five years after high school. A similar study by Arbeidsinstituttet Unginvest (2018) found that 1/3 of the dropouts had psychological issues as the reason for quitting school, and quite many of these had a diagnosis like Asperger. Adolescence is recognised as a time of acute vulnerability during which people with Asperger syndrome become more prone to develop depression and are at increased risk of suicide (Davies, 2005; Konza, 2005).
Interventions to promote resilience and improve student’s quality of life is recommended (Davies, 2005).

Therefore there is a clear need in initial VET for educating the trainers about how to successfully manage a student diagnosed with Asperger syndrome.
Objectives:
Develop, test, implement and evaluate a training package and toolkit for trainers in initial VET to make sure students diagnosed with Asperger syndrome will receive the appropriate approach by trainers and staff.
1. Educate trainers and staff in dealing with students in initial VET diagnosed with Asperger
2. Minimize differences in learning outcomes in initial VET between young adult neurotypical students and those diagnosed with Asperger syndrome

Secondary objectives:
– Contribute to enhancing the completion rates in initial VET of students diagnosed with Asperger
– Increase Teacher’s and staff’s awareness of cultural differences in Europe and how different systems provide relevant support and teaching
– Provide state of the art strategies for trainers that have transferability to other student categories as well.
– Provide support for students in initial VET diagnosed with Asperger syndrome by training trainers so they can do a better job and reach the target group

Participants:
Trainers, social workers in education. Students diagnosed with Asperger

Results envisaged:
– A training pack for trainers in initial VET on students with Asperger syndrome
– Pilot test of the developed materials
– A user guide to Asperger students
– Didactic guidelines and curriculum outline
– Short term mobility train the trainers’ course for trainers
– Multiplier event in most partner countries
– Participants will learn how to organize and conduct a proper multiplier event
– Partners will contribute to a greater understanding and responsiveness to being different, plus social and cultural diversity in VET
– The project will also raise awareness and contribute to a social dialogue about how not reaching those diagnosed with Asperger in VET can lead to social exclusion
– Better understanding in general of practices, policies and systems in education and training across countries
– The project will result in the creation of new Erasmus+ projects- either KA2 or KA1 or even within the Nordplus field with key partners and new partners
– More positive attitude towards the European project and the EU values since some partners are new to EU projects
– Increased understanding in VET of the complexity of the approaches that have to be adopted when working with young adults diagnosed with Asperger syndrome
– Participants have an increased understanding of the elements that must be in place if those diagnosed with Asperger syndrome shall succeed in VET and on the job market.

Methodology
The strategic partnership uses a collaborative, action-based and stakeholder-empowering methodology, using mixed methods of data collection and analysis. The project has been designed to use methods which will foster practical, real-world outcomes.

Long time benefits for target groups:
-the project intends to enhance trainers professional competence in order to decrease the number of students diagnosed with Asperger who quit initial VET education before graduating
-Increased opportunity for Asperger students to finalize their education
-Increased chances for them to enter work life
-Via the internal and external dissemination, it will generate social awareness that will increase understanding and eventually lead to a permanent change in attitude and practise.

Project Website

http://neurodivergent.eu

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 238080 Eur

Project Coordinator

Godalen Videregående Skole & Country: NO

Project Partners

• INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AT SOTOGRANDE, S.L.
• Autismeforeningen i Norge
• HOEGSKOLAN KRISTIANSTAD
• AUTISME-EUROPE AISBL
• Riga 5th Primary School – Development Center
• BILDUNGSDIREKTION FUER WIEN