Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects the lives of approximately 1% of the world population (CDC, 2014). It has been described as the fastest-growing developmental disability worldwide (CDC, 2008). The new estimate represents a 15 percent increase in prevalence nationally in the last two years: from 1 in 68 children to 1 in 59 children. (CDC, 2018). It is predicted to keep on increasing during the coming years. This need will be targeted by this project through the: 1) Strengthening of competences of educators and youth workers in the knowledge, attitudes and better inclusion strategies for students/young people with autism 2) Better accessibility to public and private spaces, through a Certification System enabling the application for 'Autism Friendly Spaces' and a nationwide awareness campaign 3) Supporting young people with autism socially through a pilot youth hub, created specifically for them The project will bring together 6 partners and will last 34 months. Prisms are the coordinator and the applicants. Other Maltese partners include Commission of Rights for Persons with disability and Aġenzija Żgħażagħ. Autism-Europe, Belgium; Learning Designers, Spain and MMSA, part of the University of Macedonia. The results include: 1) The creation, design, and implementation of four online modules which will be free of charge, interactive, easily accessible and highly informative, the educators and youth workers will learn and strengthen their competencies in working in an inclusive environment. There will be a login system to record their progress during the modules. A certificate will be given to each educator who completes the modules. The modules will include the theoretical and practical aspect with regards to autism and how to include him/her in the classroom/youth group. To complement this, training of 5 days will be given to a group of 28 youth workers and educators; who will then disseminate the results in their workplace. 2) The creation of a Certification System that enables private sectors and public entities to make their places 'Autism Friendly'. The places who are awarded the 'Autism Friendly Spaces' award, will be listed on a website and an app which will be created for this project. These will include the hours/time, in the cases of 'Autism Friendly Hours'. It will also include a visual map of the surroundings and where the nearest AFS place is situated. Each business/entity will appoint two 'Autism Ambassadors' whom a one-day training will be provided to them and they'll be the reference point to answer on matters about autism in that business/shop. The project includes 8 trials of places within different sectors. 3) The piloting of a youth hub for young people with autism There is a need for open spaces where youth with autism can hang out and socialize. This project aims to address this by opening a youth center which will be facilitated by youth workers and led by youth with autism. The youth workers will work towards supporting the social aspect of young people through the use of non-formal methodologies, and independence skills through outings. This youth hub aim aims to open in four countries: Malta, Spain, Belgium, and Macedonia. The desired and foreseen impact on a local level is the better inclusion of people with autism in the general local community. This will take place in schools, youth centers, and shops/services at a local level in Malta, Belgium, Spain, and Macedonia. The main target group who will directly benefit from this project are the cohort of young people with autism. However, this project will indirectly leave a positive impact on the inclusion of other cohorts such as children and adults who are on the autism spectrum, since the main results from this project can be beneficial to all ages, thanks to its sustainability and creation of a national scale awareness campaign. There will be a total of 240 young people with autism who will be a participant in the organized activities. The long term effect would be the inclusion of 140,000 people with autism and 532,000 family members in Andalusia, Spain; 186,000 people with autism and 706,000 family members in Belgium; 35,000 people with autism and 133,000 family members in Macedonia and 8,000 people with 32,000 family members in Malta. Secondary target groups include educators, youth workers, employers of businesses and public spaces who will work towards adjusting their space as 'Autism Friendly'. Their employees will be given an opportunity for further training; and lastly, family and caregivers of persons who are on the autism spectrum The project partners have planned an efficacious dissemination plan which will take place at on a local, national and international level. A number of associated partners in each country are already committed to supporting this project. Communication and management procedures are set in place for the partners to follow; with a well thought of evaluation system.
The main aim of this project was to foster better inclusion of young people who are on the autism spectrum in our communities. This was achieved by: - Offering training, opportunities for further learning and creating awareness in the community through the creation of online modules and a specific website; www.autismfriendlyspaces.eu - Creating a Certification system for public and private sectors that adjust their spaces to be more accessible to people with autism - Piloting a youth hub targeting young people with autism Our main target is autistic young people. We also reached out to their families and significant others as through the project we created spaces that are sensory-friendly and provided families with the opportunity to carry out everyday tasks as well as enjoy leisure time together. Through the different intellectual outputs we created more awareness about autism and reached other sectors within the community; - Educators - Youth workers who work with young people - Employers and management of businesses and public spaces who worked and are still working towards adjusting their space as 'Autism Friendly' - employees were also given an opportunity for further training
Recent research indicates that autism affects around 1 in 59 people in Europe. Autistic people face challenges daily to communicate with others, roaming into different contexts and living independently. In September 2015, the European Parliament adopted the Written Declaration on Autism, co-signed by 418 Members of the European Parliament. The document calls on the European Union and its Member States to adopt a European strategy for autism.This project addressed the needs identified through this European strategy in providing support for young people with autism and their primary caregivers, fostering research and encouraging the exchange of best practices; among other aims. Through the pilot project, 'Autism Spectrum Disorders in the European Union' it was found out that there is a lack of support for autistic young people. The EC encouraged entities to create a comprehensive framework to support autistic young people. It was based on these needs, as well as through the personal experience of youth workers within Prisms, discussions with associations such as the Autism Parents Association and through the work carried out by the partner organisations that the project ‘Autism Friendly Spaces’ has been devised and carried out.