Autism mentor support

What are autism mentor sessions?

One-to-one sessions for students with a diagnosis of Autism to meet with a Mentor, usually fortnightly.  Sessions can last for up to one hour each time.  Sessions will take place during semester time only, and must be arranged through a Disability Advisor at the Service.

The purpose is to provide an opportunity for you to discuss social and communication issues relating to your university experience and to develop study skills.  The Mentor can also work with you to promote an understanding of your diagnosis and discuss any impact on university life. 

This is confidential. Anything discussed in these sessions will be restricted to the student and the Mentor. The Mentor will produce a short note of what is covered in the sessions which is kept in your student file.

Initial recommendations/mentor matching

A Disability Advisor or Needs Assessor will meet with you to assess your needs and as a result apply for funding to cover a number of hours of Specialist Autism Mentor support.  Most students are offered fortnightly appointments. 

When you have received notification that your funding has been approved from your funding body, you can be matched with a Mentor.  You should contact the named supplier of the mentor to request this support, as this will not be arranged otherwise.

Initial meeting with the mentor

Arrangements for mentoring and the choice of what is covered in sessions will be jointly negotiated between you and the Mentor.  You are expected to:

• take responsibility for your own learning
• help the Mentor to identify areas that are causing you difficulty at university and/or situations you are finding challenging so that you can work on developing coping strategies.

These sessions are not about course-specific work but will focus on the development of study skills and communication strategies.

Support may include:

• Support with ways to settle into your new life at university
• Developing strategies
  • for independent living arrangements
  • for interacting with fellow students and, if desired, strategies for developing and maintaining friendships
  • to cope with changes to routines and new situations
  • to manage academic workload, setting realistic and achievable goals
  • to plan and organise your time
• Monitoring stress and anxiety
• Advice on general health and wellbeing
• Discussion of questions relating to disclosure and confidentiality
• Developing independent study techniques
• Reviewing academic feedback, developing understanding and implementing changes in future work
• Preparation for exams, including revision planning and managing stress