Education as habilitation: empirical examples from adjusted education in Sweden for students associated with high-functioning autism

• Main Authors: Martin Hugo, Joel Hedegaard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Znanstvena založba Filozofske fakultete Univerze v Ljubljani (Ljubljana University Press, Faculty of Arts) 2017-10-01
• Series: AS: Andragoška Spoznanja
• Subjects: adjusted education; habilitation; high-functioning autism; interpersonal relations; social learning
• Online Access: https://revije.ff.uni-lj.si/AndragoskaSpoznanja/article/view/7532

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.