SOCIAL EXCLUSION OF THE ADULTS WITH ASPERGER SYNDROME IN SOUTHERN FINLAND

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Lynn Syombua Mutuku, social exclusion of the adults with Asperger syndrome in Southern Finland. Language: English. Järvenpää Autumn 2011. 70 pages. 1 Appendix Diaconia University of Applied sciences. Degree programme in social services. Degree: Bachelor of Social Services. The main aim of this study was to examine ‘how and why’ the adults with Asperger syndrome in Southern Finland get socially excluded. The research investigates what forms of social exclusion towards adults with Asperger syndrome exist in Southern Finland. It also examines how the special needs of the adults with Asperger syndrome are met. The research gives proposals from the findings on how to avoid and alleviate the social exclusion of adults with Asperger syndrome in Southern Finland.

The study followed a qualitative research method of open semi-structured interviews. Two different groups of people were interviewed for this research; four adults with Asperger syndrome and three union leaders. The union leaders belong to the Autism and Asperger Foundation which advocates for the rights of people with autism and Asperger in Finland. The union leaders are also parents to children with autism and Asperger syndrome and possess expertise from parenting experience. During the study special attention was paid on the life experiences of the adults with Asperger syndrome. Some of the interviewees volunteered to take part in the study following an advertisement in the Asperger empowerment group online social network. Others were selected using the snowballing method. The study revealed that despite the existence of some policies to prevent and eradicate social exclusion, the implementation of the latter is poor. The formulation of some policies does not take in to account the special needs of people with Asperger syndrome according to the study. Finally there is need for a transparent and simplified welfare system which is accessible and well understood by people with Asperger syndrome. The study revealed that adults with Asperger syndrome are not happy with the child welfare department. This calls for the development of new professional approach in tackling cases involving parents with Aspergers syndrome. The study found that there is need for more family support for these parents. The main areas of social exclusion for adults with Asperger syndrome are; labour, family life, social capital and cultural exclusion. The study found out that exclusion from the labour market led to other forms of exclusion. It was clear that education is not the reason people with Asperger syndrome are excluded from labour but lack of supported employment. The government approach on the labour exclusion so far, has been provision of more vocational training. The study found out that there is a need for a change in this approach. There is need for more research in the field of social exclusion of adults with Asperger syndrome to combat this predicament in the society

Key words: social exclusion, Asperger syndrome, adulthood, processes of social exclusion, social exclusion paradigms, integration, and inclusion, qualitative research