The U’s iStar project has received a donation of $50,000 dollars to work toward preparing individuals with autism for adulthood.
The project, which specializes in working with individuals on the autism spectrum, will use the donation to expand and further develop programs that iStar uses with individuals on the spectrum.
iStar’s overall goal is to improve social engagement and communication skills and the project has received positive feedback from the Utah Autism Foundation.
Scott Wright, an associate professor in the college of nursing who works with iStar, is happy to have received such a donation and looks forward to what the extra money can do for the program.
“This represents support from the Utah Autism Foundation for our project. The donation represents a significant amount of money to advance our project into a new direction,” said Wright.
Wright wants to better prepare people with autism in the fields of 3-D design and computer programming.
“We are seeing an increasing demand of skilled workers who know about 3-D design and computer based technology,” Wright said. “The earlier that we start with this education, the better it is for the individual. We aren’t the only answer, but an important solution.”
Cheryl Wright, an associate professor in family and consumer studies, was pleased with the volunteers that have been working with iStar.
“A lot of people have been putting in volunteer time so that we are successful,” Cheryl Wright said.
Living with the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents challenges that individuals come across as they grow towards adulthood — challenges that can keep them from progressing in skills that can help land them a job or career as they get older.
“We see the strengths. We are interest focused. Educational schools may not offer curriculum to go with their interests. Basic visual skills are very powerful when working with computer based technology,” Scott Wright said.
Cheryl Wright wants to bring out the abilities in these students that you don’t regularly get from schools. The goal is to make the learning process enjoyable for students with ASD.
“These students we are working with have amazing talents and abilities that are sort of hidden from a regular school system,” Cheryl Wright said. “In terms of regular challenges, autism is a communication disorder: interaction, eye contact and just conversation [are affected]. What we have found is that by them learning and participating in our program, they are gaining confidence, and it is giving them tools to engage in their talents and abilities.”
Service will make generate positive feedback for the university and also generate jobs to those who help out. Those students who have visual and hands-on skills can excel with iStar.
“We have graduate and undergraduate students working with us on this project,” said Wright. “We invite interested students, and the door is open.”