[kathryn25t]

Today I'm starting a weeks volunteering/work experience at a local centre that runs activities for people with learning disabilities and people with problems such as autism etc..

I've never had experience doing this kind of work before and I'm slightly anxious! I was just wondering if anyone had done this kind of thing before or worked in this area who could give me a few tips or some advice as to the best way to approach this work and get the most out of it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[_Shmiley]

I worked in a school for my work experience and I had to help out in their special needs department and I met a lot of kids with autism. They didn't like to be treated as if they were different, they just needed more help. Try not to talk to them in a tone that you would with smaller kids, if they do something wrong yes you need a stronger tone, but not aggressive, just strong. They like to have a laugh and usually mess around and stuff, so you can be lenient on it. Try talking to them and engaging with them whilst they do the activitys you will learn a lot about them!!


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[lazydazy]

Answer above is not helpful at all! Firstly, if you learn anything about autism, it will be that most autistic people DO NOT pick up a persons tone. So speaking sternly to them makes no difference. They will all have certain situations that increase their anxiety, and this can lead to very stressful, challenging behaviour. You will be advised on how to deal with this, and I'm time you will getti know the person and pick up certain triggers. Know that no two people with autism are the same, it is a very wide spectrum.
My advice to you is to just take each day as it comes, dn worry about working with people with disabilities, over time, you will get to know them, and how to work best with them. It can be a very rewarding job. I'm sure you'll enjoy it! Good luck!


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[OU Student]

(Original post by lazydazy)
Answer above is not helpful at all!

As someone with Autism, I do think that the answer above is helpful and generally true.

If you work with people with Autism, some may also have sensory issues too. Some do not like to be hugged, some don't like loud noises and some don't like bright lights.

When you talk, talk normally. There is nothing worse than having someone talk to you like a child because you have a learning disability. It's insulting. Just because someone (even those with severe learning disabilities) has a learning disability, it doesn't mean they can't understand you and need to be talked to like they're 5 years old.

Some have no or little speech that can be understand and may use makaton (a form of sign language) or PECS cards, which have pictures on them.

[sophieleannexo]

(Original post by kathryn25t)
Today I'm starting a weeks volunteering/work experience at a local centre that runs activities for people with learning disabilities and people with problems such as autism etc..

I've never had experience doing this kind of work before and I'm slightly anxious! I was just wondering if anyone had done this kind of thing before or worked in this area who could give me a few tips or some advice as to the best way to approach this work and get the most out of it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I have personal and work experience with those who have learning difficulties. They are normal human beings and as OP said they sometimes have little or no speech so try and learn some basic makaton or read up on different things you can do to break the barriers of communication. Secondly, everyone is different, there will be no two days the same! Relax and enjoy it! Get to know the people not for their disability but for them as a person that's what I have learnt.

Hope that has helped (:

[_Shmiley]

(Original post by lazydazy)
Answer above is not helpful at all! Firstly, if you learn anything about autism, it will be that most autistic people DO NOT pick up a persons tone. So speaking sternly to them makes no difference. They will all have certain situations that increase their anxiety, and this can lead to very stressful, challenging behaviour. You will be advised on how to deal with this, and I'm time you will getti know the person and pick up certain triggers. Know that no two people with autism are the same, it is a very wide spectrum.
My advice to you is to just take each day as it comes, dn worry about working with people with disabilities, over time, you will get to know them, and how to work best with them. It can be a very rewarding job. I'm sure you'll enjoy it! Good luck!


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She didn't say it was just autism. She said it was a range of learning disabilities.


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[lazydazy]

(Original post by _Shmiley)
She didn't say it was just autism. She said it was a range of learning disabilities.


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I know she did. You answer was still useless in my opinion. I've worked for years with autistic people and people with LD, and I wouldn't use your advice for anyone. You're not there to control them or tell them what to do, you're there to support them.


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[lazydazy]

(Original post by OU Student)
As someone with Autism, I do think that the answer above is helpful and generally true.

If you work with people with Autism, some may also have sensory issues too. Some do not like to be hugged, some don't like loud noises and some don't like bright lights.

When you talk, talk normally. There is nothing worse than having someone talk to you like a child because you have a learning disability. It's insulting. Just because someone (even those with severe learning disabilities) has a learning disability, it doesn't mean they can't understand you and need to be talked to like they're 5 years old.

Some have no or little speech that can be understand and may use makaton (a form of sign language) or PECS cards, which have pictures on them.

Perhaps true for you. But you are not everyone else with autism. I've worked with many autistic people, and the majority of them cannot comprehend tone, especially of they have LD too. You cannot group everyone with autism, hence why it is such a wide spectrum. Furthermore, as for speaking to someone sternly, implies that you are telling them what to do, and that is NOT the role of a care worker. People have free will and do not need to be told how to act.


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[OU Student]

(Original post by lazydazy)
Perhaps true for you. But you are not everyone else with autism. I've worked with many autistic people, and the majority of them cannot comprehend tone, especially of they have LD too. You cannot group everyone with autism, hence why it is such a wide spectrum. Furthermore, as for speaking to someone sternly, implies that you are telling them what to do, and that is NOT the role of a care worker. People have free will and do not need to be told how to act.


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I didn't say that. I am NOT suggesting you talk to someone sternly either. I am saying don't talk to us like we're 2 years old. It's insulting. Just because I am disabled, (I have physical disabilities along side) doesn't give you reason to treat me like a baby.

[_Shmiley]

I was more talking about kids with autism and other special needs as you would need to make sure they don't do anything dangerous. I only worked with them for a week, so obviously I'm not as in the know as people who work with them a lot. I never suggested talking down to them because obviously they wouldn't like that and they know if your doing that.


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