Open AccessEducation as habilitation: empirical examples from adjusted education in Sweden for students associated with high-functioning autism
Author(s) -
Martin Hugo,
Joel Hedegaard
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
as. andragoška spoznanja/andragoška spoznanja
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2350-4188
pISSN - 1318-5160
DOI - 10.4312/as.23.3.71-87
Subject(s) - habilitation , internship , autism , psychology , medical education , work (physics) , pedagogy , developmental psychology , medicine , engineering , mechanical engineering , philosophy , humanities
This article draws upon findings from an educational program in Information Technology for young adults associated with high-functioning autism. The aim of the program was to make the students employable. Data was collected through participant observation and research interviews. Of the twelve students who completed their education, five had made transitions to employment and three held internship places. Because of this training and the adaptations that were made within the educational program, the well-being of the students improved, and their need for home support and medication decreased. Important adjustments included the provision of individual work places, the clear structure of the work that was to be performed, and the creation of an environment where the students were seen, acknowledged, and understood.