Specialist one-to-one Study Skills and Strategy Support – Autism Spectrum Conditions (SS-ASC)- Ref: SSASD003
Specialist one-to-one Study Skills and Strategy Support – Autism Spectrum Condition (SS – ASC)
Job reference: SSAASD003
Location: Nationwide
Optimum Student Support delivers highly specialised, individually tailored academic and mental health support services to students who are in receipt of Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). We are passionate in supporting our students to address any barriers they may face towards their learning.
At Optimum Student Support, we pride ourselves on employing only the best support workers to contribute to supporting students to succeed academically and prepare them for a seamless transition into the professional world.
Due to the expansion of our specialist service, we are looking to expand our team of dedicated and experienced Study Skills and Strategy Support support workers.
About the role
The Specialist one-to-one study skills and strategy support autism (SS:ASC) role can be recommended for autistic students, attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
This specialist one-to-one support focuses on helping students to develop study skills and strategies to work effectively in a higher education context in the presence of their condition. It should be tailored to a student’s individual needs, and support workers delivering this role should set out clear goals and timescales for achieving these goals. A reducing level of support to enable independence should be agreed, where it is appropriate.
Support workers undertaking this role should have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of autistic thinking and learning, together with an awareness of the strengths which students with these conditions can bring to a learning situation and the skills to help students make use of these strengths and overcome barriers to learning. An understanding of relevant assistive technology (AT) is also desirable.
Furthermore, you will be required to:
- deliver study skills sessions according to Optimum Student Support guidelines and Code of Conduct
- manage paperwork effectively, i.e. completing time sheets and Individual Learning Plans (ILPs)
- represent Optimum Student Support in a professional manner, this includes adhering to our policies regarding confidentiality and safeguarding.
Qualifications, Skills & Experience required:
What we can offer you:
- Competitive rates
- Holiday Pay
- Flexible hours
- A dedicated team who you can contact at any time to provide you with support
- Discount on Optimum Elearning courses
Additional Information:
The working hours vary according to the needs of the student and the number of students you will be allocated. All support workers are required to have internet access. All Optimum Student Support employees must be able to receive emails and phone calls when on location.
Optimum Student Support Ltd is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Optimum Student Support Ltd is a Disability Committed employer and promotes diversity in employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is characterised by a predominance of either inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, or a combination of both. The condition involves challenges in managing attention, with considerable variability in how individuals focus on tasks based on their relevance. ADHD individuals often seek sensory stimulation and may have a strong need for movement, which can aid in concentration, anxiety regulation, or serve as a form of release. Organisational tasks can be particularly challenging, and there may be difficulties in retaining information in working memory. Written instructions or note-taking can be beneficial. Support in breaking down tasks and managing organisation is often needed.
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Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity acknowledges the natural variations in human brain function and behavioural traits as integral to human diversity, viewing conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia not as disorders but as different aspects of neurocognitive functioning. It advocates for societal shifts towards greater acceptance, rights, and accommodations for those with neurological differences, emphasizing inclusion and support. The concept of a "spiky profile" integrates with this view, illustrating how individuals may exhibit significant strengths in certain areas while facing challenges in others, further highlighting the diverse spectrum of human abilities and the need for tailored support.
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Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia affects both fine and gross motor skills, significantly impacting writing, typing, and self-care activities. Dyspraxic individuals may also face challenges with memory, attention, perception, and processing, leading to difficulties in planning, organisation, executing actions, or following instructions in the correct order.
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Dyscalculia
Individuals with dyscalculia struggle with mastering arithmetic skills, calculations, number sense, and mathematical reasoning. Challenges often extend to understanding quantities, time, and abstract numerical concepts. Dyscalculia is frequently accompanied by working memory difficulties. Approximately 50% of individuals with dyscalculia also face reading challenges, and many experience significant maths anxiety.
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Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects the ability to develop automatic and fluent word reading and spelling skills. It is often associated with challenges in phonological awareness, which involves understanding and manipulating the sounds in words, and may also impact orthographic processing—the recognition of whole words, letter strings, or spelling patterns. Dyslexic individuals might be self-conscious about reading aloud, which can also hinder comprehension, and may avoid using complex vocabulary in writing to prevent spelling errors. Though not officially part of the diagnostic criteria, dyslexic individuals often struggle with organisation, sequencing, and may have low academic self-esteem. A notable discrepancy exists between their confidence in verbal tasks versus written tasks.
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Autism
According to current diagnostic criteria, autistic individuals face challenges primarily in social communication and exhibit restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour. The severity of these challenges can vary significantly. Many autistic individuals have sensory sensitivities that are particularly challenging in new and unfamiliar environments. Furthermore, they often prefer structured and predictable settings, benefiting from ample time to process information and adapt to changes. Social anxiety can pose a significant challenge in unstructured and unpredictable social situations. While the challenges of autism might be less visible in certain settings, they can still have a profound, cumulative effect on mental health, well-being, and may lead to burnout.
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