CONVERSATIONS WITH MÅNS
My nephew Måns has Asperger syndrome. He is one of the lucky ones, in that his particular differences and difficulties were identified very early on. He was four years old when the investigation started and five when he got the diagnosis. Since then my sister H, her husband P, Måns’ brother C and Måns himself have enjoyed an exemplary collaboration between local authorities and family. Societal dimensions involved are Health, Education, Social Services, family and friends.
Måns, who is 19 years old, and his family are Swedish (as am I) and live just outside Stockholm. The understanding and accommodation of any form of learning difficulty and the quality of social services in Sweden are, just like in most other countries, patchy, but in this case here is a success story so far.
At no point and at no time, has neither Måns nor his family felt discriminated against. Of course there has been the occasional friction between unsuspecting and unitiated members of the public, as Måns has a very direct and purposeful modus operandi and language. His ‘move over stupid, horrid baby’ at a childrens’ birthday party, didnt go down too well with the mother of that particular baby. Despite such an unfriendly dismissal, Måns has an acute sense of right and wrong and reacts with emphasis to any form of crime or injustice.
Måns’s schooling was very successful in that he attended a small (5 pupils and 2 teachers) tailor made class in Primary school. In Secondary school he attended a class for pupils with Asperger syndrome, where the pupils’ various idiosynchracies were taken into consideration, but where they also worked a lot on social skills.
Transition from school to higher education was somewhat less smooth. Not all colleges would welcome Måns, but a Vocational Technical College, YTC in Järfälla, welcomed Måns with open arms. They had never (knowingly) had a pupil with Asperger syndrome, but realised the uniqueness of Måns and offered him a place on the Electricy and Elevator (!) course.
In order for Måns to cope with the world such as it is, he needs to go on swings. The rocking movement gives him back his sense of self. As he says , ‘I need to go on swings in order to meet myself’.’ His college tutors realised how important this was to their pupil and quickly added a ’Swing building’ module, complete with planning, building and budgeting, to Måns’ timetable. Six months later, Måns and his team erected the perfect swing, with a tailor made tyre to suit, in his garden. Marks 10 out of 10 for Måns upon graduation and 10 out of 10 for the college.
Sitting in the sun, it’s tropical heat here in Southern Sweden (Wallander country), Måns and I are discussing the fact that it takes all kinds of minds in order for the world to go round. Or as he puts it: ’The right man in the right place at the right time, gets the job done’.
Exactly, we need to focus on each persons strengths and not get hung up on the weaknesses. 55% of the population who are learning disabled in the UK, are unemployed. Where is the dignity in a life without being good at something?!
As for Måns and his future, he is on his way to becoming an outstanding electrician, with the added bonus of conquering an HGV drivers licence (he is also an expert on JVB diggers).
