In collaboration with New Haven Public Schools and the Yale Developmental Disabilities Clinic, Students for Autism Awareness at Yale runs an in-school social group for high school students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The program, structured with consideration of the common social barriers that individuals with ASD and IDD face, aims to create a fun, laid-back, and socially comfortable environment for participants from Yale and NHPS to build trust with each other and confidence in themselves. It meets weekly as a student group in each of the two participating New Haven schools: Wilbur Cross High School and James Hillhouse High School. In particular, Students for Autism Awareness at Yale aims to achieve the following through this program:
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Create a safe social space. Individuals with autism have tremendous difficulty with social situations and interactions. Due to the complex social environment of high school, students with ASD often socially struggle and are left excluded. We aim to provide a safe, non-intimidating social space where friendships can develop, allowing the students to practice social skills and feel comfortable in an otherwise intimidating environment.
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Build a community. Due to their difficulty navigating social situations, many students with ASD leave school at the end of the day and spend their afternoons and weekends alone, excluded from social interactions with peers. Hanging out with friends after school or on the weekends is an important part of a student’s high school experience. By providing regular social activities for these students, we aim to offer them chances to socialize with new friends whom they would not otherwise meet.
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Foster positive social interactions and confidence. Many high school students meet regularly as members of student organizations based on common interests. These groups provide opportunities for students to collaborate with peers and develop friendships. Many such organizations, however, are largely inaccessible to students with ASD. By providing a school group that deliberately includes students with ASD and other IDD, we seek to create opportunities for these students to be more involved with their school communities, thus becoming more comfortable and confident in their everyday environment.