The AsIAm Adult Support & Wellbeing Programme began in 2021 and we have been overwhelmed by the support and engagement received from the Autistic community. Through the programme, we provide peer-supported spaces that are safe and empowering for Autistic adults to meet and discuss issues that are important to them. We also run activity-based groups that are fun, interactive, and support the wellbeing of our community in an accepted environment.
The Autistic Adult Support and Wellbeing Programme is proudly sponsored by the Eithne & Paddy Fitzgerald Memorial Fund.
Our Adult Support and Wellbeing Officer is here to help!
Please do feel free to contact me at any time. I will be happy to reply, once your query is regarding Autistic adults – otherwise, I will refer you to the appropriate team or relevant support. Please note that as the sole Officer for this programme, I may be delayed in replying to you due to the volume of queries.
Niamh Grennan,
Adult Support and Wellbeing Officer
E: adultgroups@asiam.ie
Any Autistic adult over the age of 18 who is currently based in Ireland can take part.
You do not have to have an official diagnosis. You can take part if you self-identify as Autistic or are waiting on an assessment.
Please note: If you have additional support or accessibility needs, let us know, and we will have an additional volunteer present at the group and will take all reasonable measures to ensure that you can fully participate in the group.
To register for any groups you can fill in this form or if you have any questions you can email us at adultgroups@asiam.ie, and we will contact you with further information.
Please note: To ensure that we comply with GDPR and to maintain the personal autonomy of every Autistic adult, we require all participants who wish to take part to email us themselves, where possible. We understand that there may be instances when a support worker or family member is emailing on behalf of the participant.
These groups are intended to appeal to Autistic adults with various interests and support needs. Some groups may be at capacity. However, we consistently review our waiting list and offer spaces to community members.
Group: Art
Dates: 26th April & 4th May
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: In-person Dublin City Centre
Group: Autistic Parents
Dates: 10th May, 14th June
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Book Club 1
Dates: 1st May, 12th June
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Book Club 2
Dates: 22nd May, 19th June
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Games Night
Dates: 6th, 20th May and 3rd, 17thJune
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: LGBTQIA+
Dates: 30th April and 14th, 28th Mayand 11th, 25th June
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Men’s Group Thursday
Dates: 23rd April & 7th, 21st May& 4th, 18th June
Time: 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Men’s Group Monday
Dates: 29th April
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Parents of Autistic Adults
Dates: 24th April, 29th May, 26th June
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Special Interest Night
Dates: 24th April, 29th May, 26th June
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Women’s 30+
Dates: 2nd, 16th, 30th May & 13th,27th June
Time: 10:30am – 11:30am
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Women’s 50+
Dates: 6th, 20th May & 17th June
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Women’s Mixed Ages
Dates: 23rd April, 7th, 21st May &4th, 18th June
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Women’s 18-30
Dates: 30th April & 13th, 27th May& 10th, 24th June
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Women’s Mindful Circle
Dates: 1st, 15th, 29th May & 12th,26th June
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Drama
Dates: 30th April
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: Dublin
Group: Hang out Group Maynooth
Dates: 24th April & 8th, 22nd May& 5th, 19th June
Time: 8:15pm – 9:15pm
Location: Online Zoom
Group: Hang out Group Laois
Dates: 7th, 21st May & 4th, 18th June
Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Online Zoom
The Adult Support & Wellbeing Programme is not therapeutic and we cannot provide support in place of medical attention.
Though these groups are intended to be enjoyable spaces, at times, community members may discuss or raise topics that some may find upsetting. The support these peer groups offer is only support. If you have any significant issues or are seeking medical advice, please speak to your GP. If you ever feel you are in a mental health crisis and need urgent help, please refer to the following for additional advice and support.
• Samaritans: 116123
• Bodywhys: 01 – 2107906
• Txt support: https://text50808.ie/ – 50808
• Aware: Depression – 1800 80 48 48
By attending one of our groups, you agree to abide by the guidelines within the Code of Conduct. We ask that you please note our Code of Conduct is an evolving document that will be refined continuously with the safety and wellbeing of our community in mind.
Read or Download: AsIAm Adult Support Programme Code of Conduct
A programme which particularly benefits Autistic people with high support needs, or who need specific supports is Supported Employment. Supported Employment programmes provide a wide range of customisable, flexible, person-centred job supports directed at helping candidates prepare for entering the working world, matching them to the jobs which are structured around their strengths, expertise and special interests and helping them adjust to working life.
Supported employment often involves the extensive use of assistive technology and job coaching and communication supports to achieve its objectives, and can be particularly beneficial for people with higher or more specific support needs, in terms of both improving their employment outcomes and, whilst also increasing their independence, confidence and social skills.
Autism-friendly and disability-friendly measures are people-friendly measures, and applying Reasonable Accommodations in the workplace ensures that Autistic people (and people with disabilities) are valued and appreciated in the workplace with appropriate support.
Employment
AsIAm also offer Employment Workshops
A series of four one-hourworkshops that cover: Job Search strategy CV and Cover Letter Writing Neurodiversity in the Workplace Interview Skills
Dates: Thursday 9th,16th, 23rd, 30th May
Time:10:00am – 11:00am
Location: Zoom
Link to Register here
AHEAD – WAM Programme
W: www.ahead.ie/wam
AHEAD runs a work placement programme for graduates called the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) programme. This is a work placement programme that aims to promote access to the labour market for graduates with disabilities and build the capacity of employers to integrate disability into the mainstream workplace. WAM works with participating employers to offer mentored paid, work placements for graduates with disabilities. All placements are a minimum 6 months and require a minimum third-level qualification, at least a level 6.
WALK
W: www.walk.ie/what-we-do/employment.php
The WALK REAL Programme is designed to support adults who have an intellectual disability and wish to explore the world of work and experience paid employment.
Benefits for participants Include:
• Professional Job Coaching that will advance career development
• Earning money, to allow for more independence
• Personal growth, increased confidence and self-esteem. Increasing network of contacts and friends
• Increasing skills development and decision making
• Ongoing support and follow-up care whilst maintaining relationships and providing necessary training and support for the employer
OWL Programme
W: www.oireachtas.ie/en/how-parliament-is-run/houses-of-the-oireachtas-service/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/owl-programme/
The OWL training programme is an applied learning, development and socialisation programme for young adults with an intellectual disability. OWL trainees get a real and applied learning experience in a work setting. Each year the House of the Oireachtas Service, along with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, provides workplace settings for the ten OWL trainees.
Employability
W: www.gov.ie/en/service/8578c4-access-the-employability-service/
Employability Services provides an employment support service for people with a:
• health condition
• injury
• illness
• disability
It is also a recruitment advice service for the business community. Your local EmployAbility service will give you employment help. It also gives employers access to a pool of potential employees.
Providers also deliver:|
• employment support for both the employer and the employee
• a professional job-matching service to help ensure successful recruitment
• advice and information on additional employment supports and grants
Specialisterne Ireland
W: www.specialisterne.ie
Specialisterne Ireland is a specialist consultancy for neurodivergent people (Autistic, ADHD, Dyspraxia/DCD, Dyslexia), supporting them into employment. We match the skills and characteristics of these individuals with roles that will suit their unique ways of working, while also harnessing their particular strengths. We help them find employers who will make the most of their abilities while appropriately accommodating their challenges.
