LIDS- Emerging Advocates: ASAP
Project Description:
Self-advocacy is an important tool for independence, but it does not come naturally. Youth with disabilities become, or emerge into, successful self-advocates when they receive quality self-advocacy skills training, have many chances to practice self-advocacy skills, and receive support from important people in their lives. Participants in Nisonger Center's Autism Self-Advocacy Program (ASAP) learn foundational advocacy skills and ideas such as self-awareness, communication, leadership, rights, and self-disclosure. ASAP was developed and piloted by a licensed social worker and Autistic self-advocate to empower young people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to speak effectively on their own behalf. The goal of the proposed ASAP project is to increase and improve advocacy skills among youth with ASD so they may achieve their goals and become more independent. Project staff will achieve this goal by conducting three major activities. First, we will adapt and expand current ASAP content to deliver advanced advocacy and leadership training to a broader range of youth with ASD. To do that, ASAP will expand from an 8-week program serving participants ages 16 and older to a 10-week program serving participants ages 11 and older. The second major activity in this project is to increase and diversify supported chances for youth with ASD to use advocacy skills learned in ASAP. Third, we will provide educational resources and training to families, schools, direct service providers, and other community members or organizations to empower these young self-advocates.
Keyword(s):
autism, self-advocacy skills, leadership, youth
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Employment-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Cultural Diversity
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Urban, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Mulit-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
