 |
|
Welcome to the Special Schools News & Events index
NEWS
RELEASE
CONTACT: PRIORY
WORKSHOP GIVES INSIGHT INTO LIVING WITH ASPERGER’S
SYNDROME 2/6/09 Professionals in health, social
care and education were given a unique insight into living with Asperger’s
Syndrome at a workshop organised by the Priory Group, leading independent providers of mental health care
in The event was aimed at promoting
greater understanding of Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) is the first of a series of
six seminars. Priory Rookery Radstock in
Somerset, a specialist residential home for young men and women aged 18 to 30
with Asperger’s Syndrome, planned the initial workshop to help people working
within health and social care recognise the condition, how it is diagnosed and
treated and what it is like to live with AS. The audience at the Ammerdown
conference centre in Radstock was addressed by Priory consultant psychiatrist Dr
Peter Carpenter and Pamela Yates, Asperger’s Syndrome Consultant.
They spoke about the diagnosis of AS, what the condition is, how it should be
recognised and the care and management of individuals with
AS. 42 year old William Jollife, who
was only recently diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, spoke movingly about his
early life struggles and growing up knowing he was somehow different without
understanding why. He discussed his neuro-diversity and
took questions about his difficulties and how he had felt as a child.
William said:
“Neuro-diverse children need patience, encouragement and acceptance even more
that neuro-typical children. In particular, they need to be raised by
those who will not try to make them into ‘normal’
children. “Without such understanding they
are much more likely to end up in institutions, to fail to capitalise on their
gifts. It is hoped every effort will be made to detect
neuro-diversity among children, so that their different balance of talents and
failings can be accommodated and they can grow into mature
adults.” Further workshops will tackle a
range of subjects including education and employment, skills for training,
Asperger’s Syndrome and sexuality, forensic issues and mental health,
psychiatric morbidity and the use of medication and law and
benefits. Priory Rookery Radstock offers
higher education in life development skills for young adults who have left home,
school or college and require further specialist development to allow them to
become more independent. The aim is to help residents achieve their full
potential and integrate into the community. The emphasis is on
delivering individually-tailored programmes that help residents to enhance their
communication, social development and life skills and enable them to develop
positive strategies in anxiety and behaviour
management. Dr Peter Carpenter, consultant
psychiatrist at Priory Rookery Radstock, said: “There can be a lot of
misinformation and a lack of understanding surrounding Asperger’s Syndrome and
we felt it important to address some of these
issues. “It was William’s testimony that
really captured the audience’s attention. He spoke eloquently about his own
difficulties, the late diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome and how he manages his
condition. “The following five seminars
will provide additional insights into AS and promote a greater understanding of
complex issues that those working with young people may
encounter.” 29th June 09
Attendees will gain an understanding of issues
experienced by young people living with AS and having adult sexual
lives. For more information on this and the other upcoming
workshops contact Jocleyn Crispin on 01327 860434 or via email at jocelyncrispin@priorygroup.com
|
Back to News & Events