Discussion:
setting up asperger self help group - advice needed please
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DFN-CIS
2004-05-25 22:22:30 UTC
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Hi

I am trying to set up an a self help group for people with aspergers.

I wondered if anyone has any advice etc they could offer please?

I have the support of a community volunteer work, she has a room we can have
the meeting in.
I was not sure of the sort of thing we could do/discuss etc.

The volunteer worker is paid to set up self help groups but she wants us to
do most of the oganising etc.
At the momment there is only me. I have a few ideas for trying to find
others, but I have no idea if I can get anyone else to come along so any
advice would be great.

If you have any ideas or whatever it would be great to hear them.

Thanks

Phil
NT Female
2004-05-26 01:17:40 UTC
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Subject: setting up asperger self help group - advice needed please
Date: 5/25/2004 6:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Hi
I am trying to set up an a self help group for people with aspergers.
I wondered if anyone has any advice etc they could offer please?
I have the support of a community volunteer work, she has a room we can have
the meeting in.
I was not sure of the sort of thing we could do/discuss etc.
The volunteer worker is paid to set up self help groups but she wants us to
do most of the oganising etc.
At the momment there is only me. I have a few ideas for trying to find
others, but I have no idea if I can get anyone else to come along so any
advice would be great.
If you have any ideas or whatever it would be great to hear them.
One thing I would strongly recommend is to make it more than just a 'self help'
group or 'support' group which involves the very painstaking task of give and
take conversation. Most Aspies I know are special interest or activity
oriented. They might be uncomfortable sitting face to face with other people
they don't know with the idea that they are there to 'support' each other. If
you have board games or video games, that would be plus - or if you can find
out what the others in the group like to do, you could set up an area where you
get to know each other through common interests. Perhaps the meeting doesn't
have to be confined to the room. You could come together to discuss activities
or plan a monthly outing.
--
Neurotypic Spectrum Code v1.0:
NT! x-() y:->: z-- b+++ p+ u(-)@ f(-) R+ n+
q+>++ j+ r--(*) s+ i@ U->+ d(-)@ W---
The autist formerly known as
2004-05-26 05:22:51 UTC
Permalink
Been there done it and got the T shirt (well not yet I suppose we could get
some printed)

The key to the gruop I run is that it is our thing and not some patronising
pycologists idea of what we should do based on book lerning.

Above all the important point is to get to know the members and for the
members to get to know each other otherwise it could be as chaotic as this
NG.

Socialisation should not be forced on anyone, let people sit where they
like, don'nt force new members to introduce themselves to the gruop if they
are uncomfortable doing that and try to give everyone a fair hering.

Other than that, developing a common focus is a good idea to forge some
gruop coherence.

Our gruop (not surprisingly given the number of us who have some involvement
in this) is hoping to make a video to educate the experts.
--
þT

L'autisme c'est moi

"Space folds, and folded space bends, and bent folded space contracts and
expands unevenly in every way unconcievable except to someone who does not
believe in the laws of mathematics"
Post by NT Female
One thing I would strongly recommend is to make it more than just a 'self help'
group or 'support' group which involves the very painstaking task of give and
take conversation. Most Aspies I know are special interest or activity
oriented. They might be uncomfortable sitting face to face with other people
they don't know with the idea that they are there to 'support' each other. If
you have board games or video games, that would be plus - or if you can find
out what the others in the group like to do, you could set up an area where you
get to know each other through common interests. Perhaps the meeting doesn't
have to be confined to the room. You could come together to discuss activities
or plan a monthly outing.
--
Vicky
2004-05-26 16:59:50 UTC
Permalink
Very Cool sig! I like that! :)
You seem to be right on the ball about
autism,,, very insightful reading your stuff.

Take care,,
Vicky
NT Female
2004-05-27 18:02:11 UTC
Permalink
Subject: Re: setting up asperger self help group - advice needed please
Date: 5/26/2004 9:59 AM Pacific Standard Time
Very Cool sig! I like that! :)
You seem to be right on the ball about
autism,,, very insightful reading your stuff.
Thanks :)
--
Neurotypic Spectrum Code v1.0:
NT! x-() y:->: z-- b+++ p+ u(-)@ f(-) R+ n+
q+>++ j+ r--(*) s+ i@ U->+ d(-)@ W---

Terry Jones
2004-05-26 06:50:27 UTC
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Post by DFN-CIS
I am trying to set up an a self help group for people with aspergers.
I wondered if anyone has any advice etc they could offer please?
I know of two AS groups in my area. One is purely a 'social' group.
The other meets to discuss (one or two) defined specific topics /
problem areas at each meeting. (Sometimes with a guest speaker).

I dropped out of the social group because it was fairly demanding (in
terms of 'energy drain'), and not really 'getting anywhere' - It's
*much* easier for me to 'socialise' here than in real time and face to
face.

I haven't tried the 'topic' group yet, but although the more
structured format might be better, I would still foresee significant
problems (for me at least) with 'processing' in a real time situation.

Terry
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