"Peer Support is a unique supportive relationship between two or more individuals based on mutual support, mutual respect, and connection." Matthew R. Federici, M.S., C.P.R.P Executive Director, Copeland Center for Wellness & Recovery
Definition: Peer Support is when people with similar life circumstances share their experiences, knowledge and emotional support with each other.
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Basic Components1. Relationship Building
2. Reciprocity 3. Encouragement 4. Sharing of Personal Experiences Vertical Divider
Resources.The Community Autism Peer Specialist (CAPS) Training Program was developed by several different agencies in and around Philadelphia to provide Peer Support services to those with autism. To find out more about the program, or if you are interested in applying for the training sessions, please visit the Philadelphia Autism Project's website at: https://www.phillyautismproject.org/peer/
Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery Websites:
www.copelandcenter.com www.doorstowellbeing.org INAPS: https://www.inaops.org/ Intentional Peer Support https://www.intentionalpeersupport.org/ The SAMHSA Core Competencies is a good resource validating the professional credibility of formal peer support roles
https://www.samhsa.gov/brss-tacs/recovery-support-tools/peers/core-competencies-peer-workers |
Participant Experiences with Peer Support.What do you think went well with the training?
What was a favorite moment during training?
Participant Experiences with Peer Support.Luke shares his experiences with being a Peer Supporter:
Being a part of this research team changed my life in unexpected ways. I was always interested in transportation and helping other individuals achieve their dreams. I especially identify with autistic people looking to achieve these goals because I was once in their shoes. When I heard about the open position at the research team, I applied right away. A couple weeks after my interview, my supervisor notified me that the research team wanted to hire me. I was very excited, especially because I could finally begin my journey as a peer supporter. There have been several stories since that time that my experience travel training with autistic participants privileged me with having, but I would like to share one story with you. Our study was on pause between March and August of 2020. During that time, I missed going out and engaging with participants all over our region, but that summer, the research team decided to resume in August. That decision allowed me to meet a young man who was interested in sword-fighting. He went to a local sword-fighting venue in East Falls, but he relied on his mother to drive him there, which could not always happen. His goal was to get there on his own, but since he was not at that level when I first met him, we first worked on taking the bus in his neighborhood. We eventually worked our way up to taking the bus to East Falls, and the pure joy on his face when he saw the sword-fighting clinic represents the purpose of this study. It is not just to travel train autistic individuals, but to use that skill to provide more independence in their life. I am very fortunate to have had a direct role in doing this for our participants. |