All about the role of ... Project worker, Autism

People with autism, including Asperger's Syndrome, experience three main areas of difficulty - social communication, social interaction and social imagination. These difficulties affect people in different ways. Some will require a lifetime of specialist support while others are able to live relatively independent lives.

Around 100,000 children in the UK have autism, with around half a million family members directly affected by the condition. Often these families do not get the right support and this puts them under immense strain. A number of independent UK charities offer support and information to children and their families at a time when they need it most - during the period of diagnosis and afterwards.

Some charities have secured funding from the Big Lottery Fund or their local authority to develop new projects where they deliver a wide range of support and advice, often providing services that are not eligible for statutory funding.

The role of the project worker in these situations is to deliver a variety of support and advice services to children recently diagnosed with autism and their families, plus ongoing services.

They work as part of a team running structured or themed group sessions for parents and children, with outcomes geared towards developing skills and independence. These are offered to parents and sibling groups and one-to-one with children and their families.

Project workers enable parents to gain a better understanding of their children's diagnosis and progress. During home visits, they can help parents to implement some practical strategies for communication and behaviours.

Project workers also advise on the management of a range of key concerns such as anxiety, sleep difficulties, restricted diet and special interests.

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

An ideal candidate is educated to degree level or Level 3 in children's care and education. A minimum of two years experience in the education or care sector, working with children and young people with disabilities, and a basic knowledge and understanding of autism is generally required. Other requirements include a keen interest in improving the lives of children with autism and their families, strong interpersonal skills, effective communication with a wide range of audiences, self motivation and initiative.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) is the leading UK charity working for people with autism, and Asperger's Syndrome, and their families and it has information on courses offered nationally. The NAS itself offers short courses such as an introduction to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and on its SPELL framework (Structure, Positive - approaches and expectations - Empathy, Low arousal, Links), among others.

NAS courses are offered to individual groups, local authorities and other organisations and can be tailored to meet specific professional needs. They are delivered on an in-house basis or individuals may attend one of the open courses run nationally.

A number of universities and colleges run courses at postgraduate level designed for teachers who already have relevant teaching experience. There are courses at certificate level for those who do not have teaching or similar academic qualifications. Most courses are part-time and many are designed for those who are working during the day.

Lancaster and London Universities both offer Principles and Practice of Working with Individuals on the Autism Spectrum. The course is based on practice and delivered one day every week over a six-week period. These run once a year and are validated by the University of Cumbria.

Edinburgh Napier University, in collaboration with the NAS, offers an undergraduate course, Working with the Autism Spectrum (Theory into Practice). The assessment enables candidates to reflect on their own practice and integrate the knowledge gained to further improve the care and support they carry out.

The University of Aberdeen offers the Postgraduate Certificate in Autism and Learning.

FURTHER INFORMATION.

National Autistic Society, www.autism.org.uk

CASE STUDY: ESTHER DENNISON

Esther Dennison (pictured) is a project worker employed by the Belfast Central Mission (BCM) on its autism support service, the EAGLE Project. BCM works closely with statutory services and voluntary agencies throughout Northern Ireland to meet the needs of individual children and their families.

Ms Dennison says, 'I developed my passion for working with children with autism when I volunteered at a summer scheme in a special needs school. While volunteering I studied for a degree in health and social care policy and then started working as a support worker.

'I have been a project worker for eight months and really enjoy the relationships I have built up with parents and families. I work in a team of four with my manager, two children's workers and myself. We are allocated our own children to work with and we come together monthly with the project manager to discuss our children's needs. We are then supported and supervised by BCM senior management.

'My employer has given me opportunities to attend training courses that have furthered my knowledge of ASD and the key issues such as managing anxiety and promoting positive routines in children.

'Parents can self-refer to the project. During a typical week, I offer advice and support to parents through home visits. With each child, I try to find the key visual or strategy that enables them to communicate more effectively with their parents. Not all visuals or interventions fit all children and when you find the key one it can change the child's and family's life.

'I build up a good relationship with the families and it is great to see them by the end of our time together understanding their child's autism really well and communicating with them more effectively. It is always hard to say goodbye.'