Aspirations - An Overview

Aspirations is a social and vocational skills support group for high functioning young adults (18-30 years) on the autism spectrum. Aspirations is designed to provide the opportunity to discuss and learn about social and vocational experiences in a small group setting of maybe six or seven other individuals. Two experienced group leaders facilitate an atmosphere of acceptance and support as participants develop self-awareness, social insight, and vocational success strategies. Aspirations also provides an opportunity for group members to meet others on the autism spectrum and gain support and understanding from one another. Participants are encouraged to develop friendships with other group members.

The program was established in 2002 by the Department of Neurology and the Nisonger Center at The Ohio State University. Aspirations runs for eight weeks and meets once a week from 6.30-7.30pm at The Ohio State University. We run the program three times a year. We charge $200 for the eight weeks (which includes ongoing monthly reunions) to cover costs of the group. After the eight week program, individuals join the monthly reunions where we now have around twenty young adults from previous groups in regular attendance. The reunions give the group members the opportunity to meet and socialize with a large group of young adults on the autism spectrum, and to practice the skills they learned during the eight week program. A number of our group members have made friends and meet up outside of Aspirations.

We also have a parent support group run by parents for those who have children in the Aspirations program. While their child is in the eight week program parents meet weekly at the same time and have the opportunity to talk and share useful information. After the eight week program parents also join a larger monthly support group and meet parents from previous Aspirations groups. The monthly parent meetings often involve outside speakers on topics such as independent living, service eligibility etc.

“Aspirations” runs for eight weeks once a week from 6.30-7.30pm. After the eight week program there are monthly reunions where group members all meet up again. People who were in previous groups of Aspirations also attend the reunions. There are around 15-20 people on the autism spectrum who come to the reunions on the first Wednesday of the month. It takes place at The Ohio State University in Mc Campbell Hall, located in the medical center area.

“Aspirations” is a discussion group. Jeff and Angela, the group facilitators, provide topics of conversation each week. A topic of conversation could be “Making Friends”, or “Getting Along with Others in the Workplace”.

• Developing self awareness and insight
• Learning how to experience positive social interactions and relationships
• Fostering insight in to the importance of rewarding employment
• Fostering friendships

View our Sample Curriculum [DOC]

Some are quiet, some very opinionated, some withdrawn, disheveled. We have been successful in getting some of the participants to socialize with each other to be more active in group time.