In my master's thesis, I explored the preparedness of social work students after completing their studies for working with users with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), particularly in the context of Zavod za gluhe in naglušne Ljubljana (ZGNL). The theoretical part of my thesis includes an in-depth discussion of ASD, including its history, terminology, definition, and characteristics. I also included the causes of ASD and the methods for working with individuals facing this disorder. I presented guidelines for the treatment and integration of individuals with ASD and provided insights into the operations of ZGNL. I formed main findings related to the topic of my thesis through qualitative research. The reason I conducted this research stems from my own experience, as I started working at ZGNL in September 2023, where I’ve directly encountered challenges related to understanding and supporting users with ASD. The practical part of my work allowed me to recognize the uniqueness of each individual with ASD, which further motivated me to explore this field. To ensure that my research extended beyond personal experience and the opinions of my peers, I decided to include the views of experienced employees at ZGNL. The research therefore involved three groups of participants: social work students with experience with ASD users, students without such experience, and employees at ZGNL. The results showed that students with practical experience felt more prepared and confident in working with individuals with ASD compared to those without experience. Practical experience proved to be crucial in developing the necessary skills and deeper understanding of the needs of users with ASD. Employees at ZGNL emphasize that these experiences are essential for developing the appropriate competencies of students and their readiness for professional work. Even though certain subjects at the university are highlighted as important for this field, all involved groups acknowledge that emphasis on practical training is more significant. This allows students to put theory into practice and enhance their knowledge and skills, which is vital for successful work with individuals with ASD.
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