Type of service: Training providers, Day services, Employment services, Interventions and therapies, Outreach, Social skills, Training providers

Service URL: http://www.specialistautismservices.org

Specialist Autism Services (formerly known as Sacar) has worked exclusively for and with adults on the autism spectrum and their families since 1999. With premises across the Yorkshire region, we now provide a range of services including autism-specific counselling, employment support, group social skills workshops, autism awareness training and community outreach support. Under the name Autism First we also provide bespoke support for adults with autism and additional needs. We've learnt a lot from the people we have supported over the last two decades and continue to adapt our services and working practices to best meet the needs of adults with autism. We aim to make a positive difference to the lives of our service users (members) and through person-centred support we create opportunities for people to build confidence, develop social skills, increase independence and ultimately fulfil their potential. Description of services: Social skills workshops (autism spectrum condition (ASC) specific learning programme) - Ongoing structured workshops featuring a programme of creative, vocational and life skills courses tailored to the specific needs of the participants and centred around essential social skills training. Operates out of premises in Leeds, Bradford and York. Employment support - includes a preparation for work workshops incorporating practical aspects such as how to write a CV and also including strong social skills elements. Through group and 1:1 support we address specific areas of difficulty which may prevent individuals from obtaining and maintaining employment. Operates out of premises in Bradford and Leeds. Additional programmes available across West Yorkshire. ASC awareness training - We offer individually tailored autism awareness training to organisations, agencies and professionals. These combine theory with methods of best working practice based on our two decades of experiences working for and with adults with autism. Operates nationally. Autism First - A unique project for adults with an ASC who also have additional needs. Operates out of premises in Shipley. Community outreach support - Our Outreach Service provides a bespoke package of support through the implementation of ASC specific strategies which enable adults with an ASC to seek new opportunities and work towards their personal goals, both within the individual's own environment and within the community. ASC specific counselling - Counselling sessions that are ASC specific are structured to ensure that the client's ASC needs are considered and met during the session. Counselling can offer adults on the spectrum or their family members a safe and confidential place to explore and come to terms with diagnosis of ASC, life events and social situations through a variety of communication methods adapted to meet the individual's needs. They also have sites in Bradford, Leeds, York & Shipley.

Aimed at: Adult

Covers: Yorkshire and The Humber

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour