Vanessa Del Carpio
Contributor
York’s Asperger Mentorship Program (AMP) is already a success story.
Developed four years ago to support students with Asperger syndrome—a disorder in the range of autism spectrum disorders (ASD)—the program was created by Professor James M. Bebko of York’s psychology department.
“According to the students themselves, they realize they are not alone with their issues, and that when we have group activities, they can just be themselves,” says Bebko. “The outside friendships that have developed are a real indicator that the program has made a difference.”
This year, the program expects the highest number of new members. To date, not one student involved in AMP has dropped out. Two have successfully completed their undergraduate studies.
Aiming to build a social network within the university community for students with Asperger’s, the program pairs students with graduate student mentors known as “coaches”. Most of these coaches have a background in clinical psychology and experience in the ASD field.
The mentors themselves have also gained positive experiences.
“We really want to make the university an enjoyable and successful experience for students with Asperger’s,” says Stephanie, an AMP co-ordinator and mentor. “It has been a rewarding experience to see changes in students’ level of comfort with university life and their sense of being a part of a social network.”
The mentors have individual weekly or bi-weekly meetings with the students, depending on need, and the group organizes events such pizza parties and concerts.
Some may be reluctant to identify with AMP due to associated stigma, but the program has built a strong foundation and even has a Facebook group.
“Our experience has been that once the students meet the other students and mentors, they become very comfortable with the program,” says Bebko.
He hopes to reach out to students with other non-visible challenges as well.
“There are […] a number of ‘invisible’ or less visible challenges students bring with them to university,” says Bebko. “I’ve had some parents ask me if there is a similar program for non-identified students, to lend them a helping hand as well. What a wonderful idea—if only we had the resources.”
AMP has been designed to work in collaboration with York’s Counselling and Disabilities Services (CDS).
