Among other things, we conduct study skills training for the first-year students (savoir-vivre at the University, study organisation, effective communication, building relationships in a new environment), but we also offer work with difficult emotions, which – despite them being part of our life, can be troublesome – explains Agnieszka Piestrzeniewicz, educational consultant from the Academic Support Centre of the University of Lodz
Other forms of assistance offered by the Academic Support Centre include:
- individual educational consultation (e.g., identifying needs of a specific student, developing strategies for appropriate educational support, mediating with the lecturers, planning activities with a student, etc.);
- training for the UL research and teaching staff, and doctoral students on cognitive and social functioning of students on the spectrum and educational support options;
- training for administrative staff of the University of Lodz on communication and building relations with students on the spectrum;
- individual and group consultations for research and teaching staff (adapting the teaching process to the needs resulting from a student's neurological disorders).
Coordination of the activities that support students on the spectrum is dealt with by a team of specialists. It includes: dr Anna Gutowska-Ciołek (head of Academic Support Centre, UL, the UL Rector’s Representative for Students with Disabilities), educational consultant with many years of experience in working with parents and guardians of children, adolescents and adults with Asperger’s syndrome, and a psychologist.
Currently we are recruiting teaching assistants for the students on the spectrum. We are looking for an assistant for a specific student with Asperger’s syndrome. A dozen or so people applied. At the moment, we are conducting individual information and qualification meetings, but a training for the future assistants in the field of disability awareness, functioning of adults on the spectrum, communication and building relationships with the student on the spectrum is scheduled for October – says dr Anna Gutowska-Ciołek.
There are 18 students and doctoral students with Asperger’s syndrome registered at the University of Lodz. It is almost twice as much as the year before. Specialists expect that this number will grow even more, therefore University of Lodz will try to expand the range of activities supporting the students in terms of equalizing educational opportunities.
Source: Academic Support Centre, UL
Edit: Promotion Centre, UL