The Validation Process

Lena Gladhlena.gladh@botkyrka.se

Contents of this session• The project Assessment and Validation Asperger

Syndrome (KVAS)

• The Self Assessment Handbook

• The Barometer and My Profile

• The Validation process and Supported Employment

Project KVAS 2007-2010

• Individuals with ASD• Increase chances to get and keep a job• Develop ways to make abilities and knowledge visible• Using the method Validation• Empowerment!

A Cooperative Project Steering committee:• Municipality of Botkyrka • Autism and Asperger Association • Public Employment AgencyProject Team: • Project Manager, OT, Coordinator/DeveloperConsultants with expert knowledge• Anna Sjölund and Gunnel Norrö

Validation of competencies

• Assessing, recognizing, making visible knowledge and skills aquired in the workplace

• Informal/non-formal learning through education, work and leisure activities

• General competencies

Validation process 4 Steps – 12 weeks programme

1. Information 2. Portfolio Self Assessment

3. Verification/Confirmation

4. Recognition/evaluation

1-3 meetings

- Informed decision about participation

7 weeks

- Group sessions- Self Assessments- Job-seeking activities- Individual support

4 weeks

- Verifying and confirming vocational skillsIn a workplace

1 week

- Certificate of competencies- Evaluation of goals

- Recommen-dations

The pilot groups• 2 pilot groups• 6-8 clients with ASD in each group• 2-3 group sessions a week• 2 Employment Counsellors• Individual support once a week• Valuable feedback from both clients and

Employment Counsellors

Result of the projectSelf Assessment Handbook• Information about different aspects of work• Self assessments• Work related exercises • Jobseeking activities• Reviewed in 2010 by Gunilla Gerland

Support Handbook• Guidelines and advice for the Employment Counsellor

Self Assessment Handbook• 4 modules and 18 sub modules

Structure of sub modules:• Introduction by Gunnel Norrö• Information on the actual topic of the module• Exercises• Self assessments

1. Asperger Syndrome and Work1.1 Introduction

1.2 Asperger Syndrome

1.3 Stress and Energy

1.4 The employee´s perspective

1.5 The employers perspective

1.6 Information to the workplace

2. Social interaction2.1 Unwritten working rules

2.2 Unwritten social rules

2.3 Mutual communication

2.4 Part of a team

3. Perception and Cognition3.1 Perception

3.2 Time and assistive devices

3.3 Plan and organize

3.4 My Profile Summary

4. The Workplace4.1 CV and cover letter

4.2 Meeting with the employer

4.3 Verification Confirmation process – Follow up

4.4 Evaluation of goals

The Barometer 109876543210

RED numbers 8-10 means STOP

YELLOW numbers 4-7 means WAIT

GREEN numbers 0-3 means GO

Assessment tools – My ProfileStrengths

Difficulties

Strategies

Support

Experiences…4 groups and 23 clients followed the programme• 6 clients got a job• 2 started studies• 14 clients needed Supported Employment• 1 client dropped outGroup sessions were appreciated by both clients and Employment Counsellors

Validation Process and Supported Employment

• Handbooks – useful in stages 2, 3 and 5.• Modules – enables discussions about different

aspects of work • Barometers – easier to talk about or describe

feelings and visualize abilities• My Profile – provides overview, basis for job

application and job match

2013/2014…A preparation programme to ease the transition process from school to work

START – Support for work

Thank you for listening!