While in Boston, I also enjoyed a lengthy visit with some new friends at Aspire. This is a program located in Lexington, Mass at the Lurie Center and is part of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).
Detailed information about this program can be located at: www.massgeneral.org/children/aspire
The overall mission of Aspire is to provide programs to help children, teens, and adults with high cognitive autism spectrum disorders or related social profiles. As with other conversations, I focused my time on the adult programs. In the adult programs, they serve no specific diagnoses but the deficits that each individual presents such as social skills deficits, or emotional issues or executive function issues. Here again, like AANE, they don't design set programs that clients should fit into but design programs to fit the various strengths and needs of the client. There are even three separate locations to better meet the needs of clients. I learned that their adult services provide meaningful work opportunities, transitioning to college, learning how to develop relationships, and accessing resources for living independently. In addition to these workshops offered during the academic year, they also offer a College Bootcamp where you live on a college campus during the summer. Their Work Internships Programs have three separate cycles throughout the year.
Andrew Harris who is the Asst. Program Manager for Teen and Adult Services set up a very exciting schedule of meeting and conversing with folks representing each of the adult programs.
Andrew and I, along with his colleagues, visited about each of these programs. They were exceptionally helpful in sharing all kinds of information and ideas of things that they have learned along the way.
Exciting for me is that Andrew has agreed to find some time to come down to Hill Top and teach us about the Guild Chronicles he has designed. It seems that this type of role-playing game would be of interest to our own role-playing wizards and to our counseling staff. So, once back from this sabbatical, we will need to find the time to make this happen.
Also, Scott McLeod was good enough to spend some time in the conversation as well. As Director of the entire Aspire program, Scott had many very helpful insights. He was intrigued by the Dinner with Dads program and that so many dads are willing to come together. He described a very robust parent program but nothing focused on just men who are involved with high functioning autism. As he described the context of a book he has written entitled, "Take Charge of Your Treatment", it seemed like he could be a popular speaker for one of our upcoming Dinner with Dads programs in the near future. As he is very involved in the sport of curling, he thought that a visit to Hill Top would also allow him some time at our local curling club!
Oh, it is exciting to have so many friends who share our passion and enthusiasm for forging new paths for our teens and adults as they move beyond high school.
Detailed information about this program can be located at: www.massgeneral.org/children/aspire
The overall mission of Aspire is to provide programs to help children, teens, and adults with high cognitive autism spectrum disorders or related social profiles. As with other conversations, I focused my time on the adult programs. In the adult programs, they serve no specific diagnoses but the deficits that each individual presents such as social skills deficits, or emotional issues or executive function issues. Here again, like AANE, they don't design set programs that clients should fit into but design programs to fit the various strengths and needs of the client. There are even three separate locations to better meet the needs of clients. I learned that their adult services provide meaningful work opportunities, transitioning to college, learning how to develop relationships, and accessing resources for living independently. In addition to these workshops offered during the academic year, they also offer a College Bootcamp where you live on a college campus during the summer. Their Work Internships Programs have three separate cycles throughout the year.
Andrew Harris who is the Asst. Program Manager for Teen and Adult Services set up a very exciting schedule of meeting and conversing with folks representing each of the adult programs.
- Social Group focuses on improving social competence, life skills, relationship and friendship development as well as stress management and self-awareness. The curriculum is participant focused; topics are tailored each semester and customized lessons and activities are developed by the facilitators to meet the unique needs of the group. The group is structured around interests of the participants.
- Young Women's Group provides a safe space to discuss the unique demands that young women face in daily life. The curriculum is participant-driven; customized lessons and activities are developed by the facilitators to meet the unique needs of each group.
- Guild Chronicles is one of the most unique groups and invites participants to imagine themselves as heroes in an interactive story with fantasy themes. Guild Chronicles was invented by Andrew Harris and has the groups focus around playing a highly engaging roleplaying game designed by the group facilitator that has been enjoyed by over 100 players and participants in the past five years. Knowing our folks on the spectrum, it is not surprising that it consistently ranks as one of the most popular groups. Participants must work together to overcome challenges while exploring situations, themes, and story elements that allow them to practice their developing social skills. To be successful a participant is required to be cooperative, collaborative and an effective communicator.
- Explorations is a Saturday program where teens and young adults participate in supported recreational and social activities while learning a variety of practical life skills in the community. The group is structured around collaboratively selecting and planning field trips within the community throughout the metro Boston area. Direct instruction and activities to build social competency, stress management, and self-awareness are embedded in the curriculum.
- College Social Group is a safe space to discuss the unique social challenges and opportunities for neurodiverse students enrolled part or full time in a local college or university. Participants and facilitators will work together to come up with solutions to challenges, set goals, and offer feedback to one another. In addition to the group sessions, group members have contact on individualized goals in between sessions for individualized coaching.
- Cooking Group provides an opportunity to connect with peers around a shared interest, while collaboratively working together to create a meal that they can all enjoy together.
- The Internship Program serves participants between ages 18-30 with diagnoses of Asperger's Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, Nonverbal Learning Disorders or similar social-cognitive profiles. Each cycle runs for approximately 10 weeks. Participants are supported at each stage of the internship process: Application, On-boarding requirements of site, and throughout the duration of the internship. Participants work 2-3 days per week and 4-8 hours each day. Example worksites include Boston Public Market, MGH, Safelite, Newton Wellesley Hospital, Handle and Haydn Society, WGBH, EY, Enterprise, etc. There are three core components of the seminar series:
1. Social Competency
2. Stress Management
3. Self-awareness
In addition to the work experience, there are seminar classes that cover topics such as workplace norms/expectations, being social in the workplace, resume building, self-care, self-advocacy, executive function skills, interview skills, transition planning, and networking. All interns are scheduled for a weekly consult with Aspire staff for support. Interns are also able to check-in with Aspire staff through the week via email or phone as needed.
Andrew and I, along with his colleagues, visited about each of these programs. They were exceptionally helpful in sharing all kinds of information and ideas of things that they have learned along the way.
Exciting for me is that Andrew has agreed to find some time to come down to Hill Top and teach us about the Guild Chronicles he has designed. It seems that this type of role-playing game would be of interest to our own role-playing wizards and to our counseling staff. So, once back from this sabbatical, we will need to find the time to make this happen.
Oh, it is exciting to have so many friends who share our passion and enthusiasm for forging new paths for our teens and adults as they move beyond high school.
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