|
ASPIRATIONS
A Social and Vocational
Skills Support Program for Adolescents and
Young Adults
on the Autism Spectrum.
Aspirations: Frequently Asked Questions
Aspirations: Brochure
Aspirations: Application paperwork
Aspirations: Driving
Directions
Aspirations: Volunteer
Opportunities
Aspirations: How to Make A Donation
Aspirations: Quotes
Aspirations
- An overview
Aspirations is a
social and vocational skills support group for adolescents and young
adults on the autism spectrum aged between 18 and 30 years. Ashleigh
Hillier, Ph.D. is the Program Director and a Psychology professor at the
University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Aspirations is designed to provide the opportunity to discuss and learn
about social and vocational experiences in a small group setting with
five or six 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.
Aspirations runs for
eight weeks and meets once a week on Tuesdays from 3.45-5.00pm at the
University of Massachusetts Lowell south campus.
We run the
program in the Spring and Fall. The next available group will start in
February 2011. However, Dr. Hillier will add your name to a waiting list
in case someone drops out of a group which is running sooner than these.
We charge $150 for the eight weeks to cover costs of the group
(scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the fees).
We also have a
facilitated parent support group which runs at the same time and in the
same building as the Aspirations program. This gives parents the
opportunity to meet, talk and share useful information. There is
no charge for the parent support group.
For further information contact:
Ashleigh
Hillier, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of
Psychology
University of
Massachusetts Lowell
1 Mahoney Hall
870 Broadway Street
Lowell, MA 01854
Phone: 978-934-2930
Fax: 978-934-3074
Email: ashleigh_hillier@uml.edu
Dr. Hillier's Home Page
Aspirations
- Further Information: Frequently Asked Questions
1)
What is
Aspirations?
Aspirations is a social and vocational skills support group
for high functioning adolescents and young adults (18-30 years) on the
autism spectrum. Social and vocational skills are discussed in a small
group in order to learn new things and develop understanding. Ashleigh Hillier,
Ph.D. co-founded the program in 2002 at The Ohio State
University before she moved to the Department of Psychology at the
University of Massachusetts Lowell.
2)
Who is in
Aspirations?
There are usually 6 individuals in each group.
Everyone has a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder, such as high
functioning autism or Asperger’s syndrome.
There are also two group facilitators who help guide the
discussion and keep the group focused and on topic.
Participants must
provide proof of diagnosis to participate in Aspirations (e.g. a recent
neuropsychological report, letter from psychiatrist / psychologist
etc.).
3)
When and
where is Aspirations?
Aspirations runs for
eight weeks once a week on Tuesdays from 3.45-5.00pm. It runs twice a
year, once in Spring and once in Fall. Aspirations takes place
at the University of Massachusetts Lowell south campus in Mahoney Hall.
4)
What are the main aims of Aspirations?
a)
Developing self awareness, insight and independence
b)
Learning
how to experience positive social interactions and relationships
c)
Fostering
insight in to the importance of success in school and rewarding
employment
d)
Exploring
solutions to challenging situations in our personal and professional
lives
e)
Fostering
friendships between group members
UML
Students:
In addition,
Aspirations provides UML Graduate and Undergraduate Psychology students unique opportunities to work with adolescents and young adults on the autism spectrum
and to connect and apply course content to practical applications. The students
provide excellent role models for those in the program. Many of the
students intend to move in to professional positions working with people
on the autism spectrum when they graduate. Therefore, Aspirations
provides an extremely important opportunity for them to gain experience
and the skills they will need to be effective and successful
professionals. Students participate for course credit, or as volunteers.
Please see the section below on
volunteer opportunities for more information.
5)
What do
the group members do in the meetings?
Aspirations is a
discussion group. The group facilitators provide topics of conversation
each week based on our established program curriculum. A topic of
conversation could be “Making Friends”, or “Getting Along with Others in
the Workplace / Classroom”. Group members discuss each topic as a group,
bringing up their own experiences, giving each other advice, and
discussing the relevant issues. This enables group members to learn from
one another and develop new ideas. The group facilitators encourage
group members to think and talk about important issues and challenges in
their lives, and develop strategies to overcome these challenges.
6)
What is
the Aspirations group like?
Everyone in the group
has many things in common with each other and have had similar
experiences in the past. The group facilitators are there to help guide
the discussion. Group members have the opportunity to discuss things in their lives they
find challenging and then get ideas from each other and the group
facilitators about how to overcome those challenges.
7) Who runs the Aspirations program?
Ashleigh Hillier, Ph.D. is the Program Director and a
Psychology professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Dr.
Hillier has spent many years working with adolescents and young adults
on the autism spectrum and currently runs a number of other programs
including the “Aspirations” weekly social and vocational skills program,
the “SoundScape” music program, “Fit and Fun” physical activity and
relaxation program, and a Movie Club. Further information about these
other programs, as well as Dr. Hillier’s resume, can be found on her
website:
http://faculty.uml.edu/ahillier
Dr. Ashleigh Hillier’s brief bio:
Ashleigh Hillier, Ph.D. is an Assistant
Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of
Massachusetts Lowell, Dr. Hillier completed her PhD in Psychology at the
University of Lincoln in England, and her post-doctoral training in the
Department of Neurology at The Ohio State University Medical Center.
Dr. Hillier’s main research
interests include neuropsychology, psychophysiology, and autism spectrum
disorders (ASD). The focus of her research is the processing and
understanding of affective material among those on the autism spectrum.
Dr. Hillier’s research includes investigations of emotional memory,
physiological responsiveness and subsequent memory for emotion eliciting
stimuli, and the effects of psychosocial stress on cognition among those
with ASD. Dr. Hillier’s applied research program involves managing and
evaluating a number of intervention programs for adolescents and young
adults on the autism spectrum including social and vocational skills
programs, a music based program, and a physical exercise and relaxation
program. Her work has resulted in a large number of publications,
national and international conference presentations, and grant awards.
Further information is presented in her resume which can be accessed
here.
8)
Does Aspirations have any research aspects to it?
In order to evaluate the impact and success of
Aspirations we collect data from group members who are willing to take
part in our research component. This information is
kept completely confidential and is only seen by staff of the
Aspirations program. This data is taken from responses
to questionnaires which are administered before and after
participation in the program. Responses to the
questionnaires are compared to see whether there are any changes
after the program compared to before. Changes in
responses between the two measurement points may indicate that
Aspirations has had an important impact on group
members. We also conduct observations during the Aspirations
sessions. The information collected helps us improve
the sessions, and provides us with information regarding the
success of the program. It is important for us to
evaluate Aspirations firstly, so we can make useful improvements to
the program, and secondly, to achieve financial
support for the program.
9)
Is there any support available for parents?
We also have a
facilitated parent
support group for those who have children in the Aspirations program.
While their son / daughter is in the nine week program parents meet weekly at
the same time in the same building, and have the opportunity to talk and share
useful information. There is no
charge for the parent support group.
10)
What is
the money from the fees used for?
Group members pay $150 for the eight week program
(scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the fees). There
are no fees for the parent weekly and monthly support groups. This money
is used to cover the costs of the program including advertising
expenses, printing brochures, and travel to organizations and
conferences to disseminate the program model. Any remaining funds help
cover the expenses of Dr. Hillier’s autism related research work. Dr.
Hillier’s research focuses on understanding and processing emotions
among those on the autism spectrum.
11)
What is the next step for joining Aspirations?
You can complete the
application paperwork and either
email or mail it back to Dr. Hillier (contact information below).
Contact Dr. Ashleigh
Hillier and let her know that you are interested in yourself / your
child being involved in
Following review of this paperwork,
if it seems like you / your son / daughter would be a good
match for Aspirations, Dr.
Hillier will invite you to UMass Lowell to
meet in person. At this meeting Dr. Hillier will
explain more about the Aspirations
program and answer any questions. She
will also find out more about you / your
son / daughter, again to ensure the
Aspirations curriculum will be beneficial to
you.
Contact Dr. Hillier at:
Ashleigh Hillier, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
University of Massachusetts
Lowell
1 Mahoney Hall
870 Broadway Street
Lowell, MA 01851
Phone: 978-934-2930
Email:
ashleigh_hillier@uml.edu
Aspirations
- How can I volunteer or get involved with Aspirations?
Students at the University of Massachusetts Lowell
who are interested in getting involved in the
Aspirations program should contact Dr. Hillier at
ashleigh_hillier@uml.edu. This can be done as a
volunteer, or for course credit as perhaps a Directed
Study or Community Service course.
Aspirations - How to Make
Donations
Donations are
helpful to
maintain and enhance the Aspirations program. Up to date books and literature on Asperger's Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Disabilities, which
would be useful to those on the autism spectrum and/or their parents
would help enhance our Program Library. Monetary donations can be made
by writing a check to: University of Massachusetts at Lowell -
Aspirations Program, and mailing it to: Ashleigh Hillier, Ph.D.,
University of Massachusetts at Lowell, Psychology Department, 1 Mahoney
Hall, 870 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01864. A letter of
acknowledgement and appreciation will be issued by the University for
donations that are made to the Aspirations program. The acknowledgement
letter can be used as a receipt when filing taxes.
Aspirations - Quotes from Participants & Parents
"As a parent of a teenager with Asperger's, I had the opportunity to meet with other parents of
similar children the first time. We all quickly became
comfortable – many of us willing and longing to share so many
experiences and information. I felt an immediate connection with the
other parents and know that we will continue to reach out to each other
and work together to provide the best for our boys in the future. "
Parent of Summer 2007 Group.
" I have learned more from the
group members than I ever dreamed I could have through reading or my
coursework. Providing guidance to the group on how to learn how to
handle their everyday struggles with peers, school, and work
environments was a unique and rewarding experience for me."
UMass Lowell Graduate
student, Fall 2007.
"I think it’s been
wonderful. For myself. Maybe even more for me than for [my daughter].
I think it’s been nice to network with other parents."
Parent of Spring 2008
Group.
"It’s
been nice to have [my son] look forward to coming and feel a
belongingness. It was nice for him to mingle with older kids."
Parent of Spring 2008
Group.
"One thing I noticed,
my son, I didn’t hear him complain about not wanting to go. Usually by
the second or third session he’ll come up with some excuse why he
doesn’t want to go, but I never heard him say anything about not wanting
to go so that’s something for him."
Parent of Spring 2008
Group.
"Meeting
other parents, networking and getting their feedback as to how they
handle different situations has been a great thing."
Parent of Spring 2008
Group.
"To
quote [my daughter], she said the first time on the way home that she
hasn’t been this excited about anything in a long time. She was very
excited about this program. I think she was at a giant relief to really
meet people that were very common to her, and she felt very, very, very
relieved, there was a sense of a relief that she has experienced through
these 8, 9 weeks that she hasn’t experienced in a long time. I mean, and
for me too, I felt a lot of relief, well there is a place in this world
for my daughter. And there is a place in this world that she can meet
friends".
Parent of Spring 2008
Group.
"We’ve
seen a huge difference in her behavior, because she was having a lot of
behavior issues, and was down on herself, and we’ve noticed a huge
change in her just coming to these classes. She was excited to come to
these classes to meet new people and be able to socialize with people,
and be able to connect with certain people in the group."
Parent of Spring 2008
Group.
"There was nothing
that I didn’t enjoy. I enjoyed the program overall. I enjoyed meeting
everyone and discussing various discussion topics and of course learning
about each other’s life experiences and how to make our lives better
overall despite of our disabilities. And it’s given me more confidence
in how to reach my goals and make a better life for myself."
Member of Spring 2008
Group.
Quotes from students who
have participated in Aspirations:
"It was a great opportunity
and privilege to have been a part of Aspirations. Our Tuesday meetings
were always exciting, challenging, and sometimes with unexpected twists.
Moreover, we always had fun! We all learned a lot from eachother, and
for me, as a student, this practical experience far exceeded any
classroom learning." UMass Lowell Undergraduate Student, Spring 2008.
"I learned so much from this
program, both in an academic sense, and learning about myself. I never
realized how difficult certain situations can be for these guys, and how
it makes me think not to take things for granted. Watching these guys
over the past 8-weeks has shown me how kind and gentle their souls are,
and how they are walking away with a greater knowledge about life with
thanks to Ashleigh and Nataliya. I am glad I was able to be a part of
this program, and watch young lives evolve in front of my eyes." UMass
Lowell Undergraduate Student, Spring 2008.
"Overall, this program has
been really inspiring for me. It has opened my eyes up to the hardships
and struggles that those with ASD have to go through everyday. It was so
insightful to sit "behind the scenes" and observe their thoughts and
concerns about the future. I think it would be helpful for everyone to
explore the lives of people with Aspergers/autism. Overall it's been
great. I am so glad I had the opportunity to observe this wonderful
group of people. It has actually made me think more about working with
children in schools with autism and Aspergers. So thank you Dr. Hillier
for this experience!" UMass Lowell Undergraduate Student, Spring 2008.
"I think Aspirations was the
program that I got the most out of. I enjoyed so much meeting the
participants and being able to make some kind of connection with each of
them. I think Aspirations is such a good program for people with ASD."
UMass Lowell Undergraduate Student, Fall 2009.
"Both were rewarding
experiences that I would do all over again. I learned a lot that I will
take with me in my future. It was also an amazing feeling to have
participants and parents tell me “thank-you”, explain how much I have
helped, and how important it is that there are people like me who have
an interest in helping this population of people." UMass Lowell
Undergraduate Student, Fall 2009.
Dr. Hillier's Home Page
|
