Lizzie Cohen spent most of her teenage years in a mental hospital. Diagnosed with depression and anxiety, she also struggled with an eating disorder. Her autism was officially diagnosed when she was 14 years old.
“I can’t explain how bad my mental health was,” she says. “When I got out of the hospital, I was too overwhelmed to go back to normal school.”
Cohen was also selectively mute.People with autism can find it very difficult to process sensory information, such as noise and crowds, and become overwhelmed with anxiety that prevents them from speaking. .
“I was heavily medicated in the hospital,” Cohen says. “I don’t think they knew what to do with me. They thought there could be a lot of paternalism in people with autism and that neurotypical people knew what was best for us.” What I said wasn’t taken seriously by some doctors. They weren’t listening.”
Cohen’s parents were supportive, but had trouble finding suitable help for her.
I was very institutionalized from my hospital stay.Until then, I had never had a good experience at school.
— Lizzie Cohen
“I always wanted to study psychology, but my way of doing it was going to my school’s autism unit a few hours a week, and that was still too much for me. Not much of a future.” I couldn’t see it.”
Then, at the age of 17, Coen started a course at the National Learning Network (NLN) in Sligo. Her NLN, the education arm of Rehab Group, is a supported training service that offers a variety of flexible training courses for people with disabilities, mental health issues, illnesses, or who need additional support.
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In total, we have around 70 different training courses at over 50 locations in Ireland, offering certification courses and professional support to people aged 16 and over. These people may find it difficult to find employment in other ways or may need individualized support to progress to the third level. Or further education.
“When I started, I was nervous and didn’t speak yet,” Cohen says. “Because I was in the hospital, it was very institutionalized. Before that, I had never had a good experience in school. Even before I was in the hospital, it was always a disaster.”
When students start our courses, we sit down with them to develop their human-centered plan and what they want to achieve from the course
— Lucianne Bird, National Learning Network
“I could not follow the traditional path of learning, but I was going to NLN to please my mother. [had been] I was really worried that I didn’t have any structure.
Coen participated in NLN’s 18-month transition program and then completed a customer service course to earn the QQI Level 4 Retail Skills Certificate.
“I never thought I could achieve so much more in the last three years. At NLN, we were all on different levels and different ages. , I felt like I had more of a say, and it was really flexible.
“I didn’t have to do intensive work at set times. And the little things really mattered, like being able to work at my own pace, being more independent and being able to work at my own pace.
“I loved the dynamics of the class. I was surrounded by other people with similar problems to mine, and we all worked independently with little pressure.” We had to make our own decisions, but support from instructor Elaine and resource teachers was available when needed.”
Lucianne Bird, Learning Director for Rebab Group’s NLN division, says flexibility is a key feature of NLNs.
“When students start a course with us, we sit with them and develop their human-centered plan and what they want to achieve from the course. This may include assistance with college admissions or extracurricular activities such as public speaking.
“NLN course students participate in modules ranging from communication skills to career planning, literacy skills, IT skills, interview preparation, music, artwork and digital skills. You are given time and support to work at your own pace.There are no start dates.Students can start the course at a time that suits them,” explains Bird.
“They are not responsible for keeping up with the rest of the class. We strongly believe in providing holistic support to our students. Participating in is integral to your experience as an NLN student.”
I always excel academically.The hardest part was coming to class.
— Lizzie Cohen
NLN training courses offer certifications for levels 2 through 6 of the National Framework of Qualifications. Bird says his typical day varies by student and course.
“Some courses involve work experience where students spend two days a week at work and the other three days at the NLN Center. Some are blended learning that includes distance learning. On some days, I will arrive at 9:00 am and leave around 4:00 pm.”
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Cohen says her instructor, Elaine, was the one who made a difference in her life.
“It was her course at NLN that made me realize I could go to college. However, I was provided by the Department of Education with a home use liaison to complete my retirement certificate and had several hours of one-on-one tuition from them. NLN staff contacted me, which was great.”
When I tell people there was a time when I didn’t talk, they don’t believe me
— Lizzie Cohen
She is currently studying Psychology at John Moores University in Liverpool. She supports people with autism with psychological and psychiatric services and hopes to use her own experience and understanding to make a difference in how mental health services work.
“I decided to study psychology because I had a strong interest in it,” says Cohen.
“I have gone through so many hardships and met so many people who have had hardships. There are autism services and mental health services, and the two rarely talk to each other.People with autism experience mental health problems, such as anorexia, in different ways. Autism can play a big role in that, making recovery from autism more difficult.
“In my first year of college, I worked with people to make inclusivity and accessibility the norm at college, not something you had to apply for.”
Cohen said she has completely changed as a person.
“When I tell people that there was a time when I didn’t speak, they don’t believe me. It was about the space that was created.
Education Supported: By Numbers
7,258: The number of people who received help from the National Learning Network in a year.
90%: A person who graduates from a course on the National Learning Network and goes on to employment or a higher level of training and education.
70: Number of National Learning Network courses available nationwide.
