The project aims were to provide youth workers and youth organizations with a new, innovative and accessible learning opportunity on ASD. More specifically, the project’s objectives were: To support the participation of ASD youth in youth organizations’ activities To increase the attractiveness and accessibility of youth work for ASD youth To provide the necessary training methodology and tools to youth workers in order to include ASD youth in their work To provide organizational support to youth organizations to include ASD youth in their initiatives by upskilling their administrative and management staff To provide youth training opportunities adjusted to ASD needs
As described in the application, multiple researches have been investigating the quality of life and overall functioning of youth with ASD. A consistent finding across studies was the importance of social participation and its correlation with improved quality of life. These studies described the negative impact of social isolation and lack of community integration for youth with ASD, emphasizing the need for more social support resources. In other words, participation in community & social activities is beneficial for a young person’s health and development, including those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Prior to this project, inclusion projects have been primarily focused on youth with physical disabilities and little attention was directed to youth with ASD and their inclusion in youth initiatives in their communities. In order to tackle this issue, there was a high need for the upskilling of local and community youth organizations in order for them to be able to include youth with ASD in their initiatives and match their services with this present and future need to support the psychosocial development and independence of people with ASD.