Spectrum Connections

New Podcast - "Shared Experiences: Autism-Led Mentoring"

Shared Experiences: Autistic-Led Mentoring AMP (Autism Mentoring Project), a first-of-its-kind mentoring program for autistic youth, helps both mentors and mentees build confidence and hope through sh...

Spectrum Connections is hosting a networking event at a unique brewery in St. Paul.

Craft Brews for Invisible Autism - A Meet & Greet for Spectrum Connections Learn about Spectrum Connections and its services, while networking and socializing in a fun environment with food and libations

Should I Have a College Roommate?

Should I have a college roommate? – Spectrum Connections Should I have a college roommate?by Alicia Reinke TuthillJune 12, 2021June 12, 2021 As first-year students start making major decisions in their transition to college, autistic first-year students are navigating whether it is in their best interest to have a college roommate or not. Many autistic st...

Navigating the Gap After High School

An interview with John Merges, developer of social enjoyment groups, on the Autism After 18 Podcast. Please join Tristan and Louise in their conversation with John. The podcast will be released on June 1 and will be available on our YouTube Channel and our website at: http://spectrum-connections.org.

Navigating the Gaps After High School – Spectrum Connections Navigating the Gaps After High Schoolby Melva RadtkeMay 28, 2021May 28, 2021 Social skills classes — Been there, done that. Now what? An interview with John Merges, developer of social enjoyment groups Autism After 18 Podcast Many autistic youth take social skills classes as part of their educatio...

Autism After 18 Podcast

Navigating the Gaps After High School
Social skills classes -- Been there, done that. Now what?

An interview with John Merges, developer of social enjoyment groups

Many autistic youth take social skills classes as part of their education plan. These classes teach a variety of important skills, from how to start a conversation to managing complicated relationships. Unfortunately, these classes generally last for just one or two semesters and provide few opportunities for students to practice their skills “where the rubber hits the road” in the community.

John Merges is a licensed clinical social worker who works in private practice with autistic individuals and their families. He has created a program which helps young autistic adults continue building their social skills through practice in real life social situations he calls Funjoyment Groups. John’s group meetings use a structured agenda and social skills practice to help autistic youth make in-the-moment decisions and develop the confidence they need to constructively manage social situations in the workplace and college. Activities include engaging in two-person and group conversations and negotiating which games to play during dedicated game playing periods.

Most importantly, John’s groups are open-ended. They are offered in a series of sessions throughout the year and participants can continue with a group for as long as they like. As John notes in his book, Guiding Toward Growth:

“Open-ended groups allow culture to be transferred
and can thus create increasingly high standards and expectations.
Individuals introduced into open-ended groups can quickly learn the culture
and can thus make huge strides quickly.”

John also works with local employers to help Funjoyment participants get and keep entry-level jobs. Autistic youth learn job skills, earn a regular paycheck and most importantly -- build confidence in their ability to be sustainably employed.

Participants in John’s groups are better equipped than most to take on jobs and/or college after high school. Their skills aren’t perfect and they’re anxious about what’s ahead (who isn’t?), but their perspectives are shaped by real life experiences that give them a strong foothold during times of transition.

Please join Tristan and Louise in their conversation with John. It will be released on June 1 and is available on YouTube.