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Finding support by supporting others
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Posted by sylvia on Monday, August 03, 2009 (17:08:57)
Tulsa World By SHANNON MUCHMORE
A new support group helps adults who have Asperger's.
For many people, walking into a cafe and ordering a cup of coffee or a bite to eat is a run-of-the-mill event. For a person with Asperger's Syndrome, however, it can be a daunting task wrought with frustration and stress.
Asperger's is a disorder along the autism spectrum. It is characterized by repetitive patterns and other behaviors that obstruct social and occupational aspects of life but does not include significant delay in cognitive development. People with Asperger's who want a cup of coffee might be intimidated by all the options available, stressed by the lighting and noise in a restaurant, and unable to understand that they are being rude to a waiter or other patrons.
After recognizing a growing need in the Tulsa community for Asperger's resources, the Tulsa Advocates for Rights of Citizens with developmental disabilities, or TARC, created Links, a support group for adults with Asperger's.
It started monthly meetings in March and recently expanded the meetings to include a practice section at a restaurant in south Tulsa.
Amanda Turner, director of communications for TARC, said the advocacy organization already has a support group for adolescents with Asperger's but had received several phone calls from people who wanted such a group for adults.
"There was just such a need, and there's no group like it right now that deals specifically with Asperger's," Turner said.
At the first few meetings,
the group discussed tips on how to find an apartment, such as what questions to ask and where to look for listings, said Amie Farinella, self-advocacy coordinator for TARC and the group's organizer.
They also have done some role-playing in preparation for their restaurant visit. Some members pretend to be waiters and others play the role of customers. They discuss ordering, tipping and politely sending back meals.
A lot of time they simply sit in a circle and chat, Farinella said.
"It's a very casual atmosphere," she said. "I don't try to make it structured at all."
She lets group members drive the topics and discussions and encourages them to talk to each other and stay in touch outside the group.
"That environment fosters them to gain more skills and start to do things on their own," she said.
Turner said between 10 and 20 people have attended the first meetings, an encouraging number for a new group.
They vary in how they are affected by Asperger's.
Some live with their parents and do not drive, while others have more independence. Their IQs often are above average, but they have trouble with social skills.
Farinella said a person with Asperger's always will be afflicted but can learn to manage the syndrome.
"You can definitely help somebody be more comfortable," she said.
Those who have found and attended the support group's meetings want to improve and make friends.
They desire social acceptance like anyone else, Farinella said.
"They want to learn how to do this stuff," she said.
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Posted by sylvia on Monday, August 03, 2009 (17:08:57) (791 reads)
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