Objectives

Background and Expediency of the Project

Seen from a historical perspective, the fact has generally been and indeed remains, that the more difficulty a person with disability has to communicate, the more he or she is at the mercy of others.
Wrong interpretations and wrong decisions are often the result -- with corresponding suffering – for both the person concerned and the person providing the care. This vicious circle of suffering and “seeing suffering but not knowing how to change it or do anything about it,” must be broken through efficient communication.
This must become a vital challenge for every school and every education programme.
Deficiencies relative to the knowledge, ability and existence of people with autism must be largely remedied, so that they can be “freed” from the determined nature and to “free” themselves.
Self-determination in every day situations through developed communication forms will help them lead as independent and as dignified a life as possible. Skill acquisition by the instructors on promoting communication among people with autism leads to an improvement in the quality of life.

Objectives of the project:

• Develop a concept of self-determination for people with autism, based on a supervised scientific assessment.
• Test, evaluate and optimise the developed concept in various practical situations of the participants and other interested people throughout Europe and the world through the Internet.
• Prepare a generally comprehensible brochure on communication methods and communication at system level for those concerned and those interested, on the basis of discoveries and scientifically substantiated further education and training modules;
  Guarantee dissemination through the Internet and two international colloquia.