Interview with an autistic participant in the FROG programme at Lyk-z & døtre

Earlier this year, a 21-year-old autistic participant accepted to share his experience of the coaching training, organised by our project partner Lyk-z & døtre as, a social enterprise in Skien, Norway. The programme is based on the FROG methodology, which involves communication techniques that can help people discover their talents, build their self-confidence, and define a life project aligned with their values, goals, and ambitions.

For the past year, the JobAut consortium has been working to adapt this methodology to improve autistic people’s access to meaningful job placement and employment opportunities. It is precious for our consortium to receive feedback from people with direct experience and to see what they gain from it.

When did you participate in the FROG programme?

I participated in February/March 2026.

How long did the programme last?

The program lasted approximately seven weeks, with sessions three to four days per week.

What were the daily start and end times?

9:00 AM–3:00 PM.

Why did you want to participate?

I was curious about what the programme was about and whether it could be useful for me.

What has been the result of the programme?

I have become more aware of what I can do to achieve what I truly want in life. The programme has helped me take greater control of my life than I did before.

What was the best part of the programme?

The best part was getting to know the other participants. The activities and assignments were exciting, interesting, and gave me new perspectives.

What was the most challenging part of the programme?

Some situations were stressful, especially when we had difficult tasks with strict deadlines or were asked to do things outside our comfort zone. I was also sometimes afraid of saying the wrong thing.

What do you do more frequently now that you have completed the programme?

I have recently started a work placement as a bicycle repair technician. I am better at getting up on time, going to bed at a reasonable hour, and being productive throughout the day. I feel that I have more control over my daily life and take more initiative on my own.

What do you do less frequently now that you have completed the programme?

I no longer sleep late as often, I get bored less frequently, and I have fewer bad habits than before.

What do you now know is important to you now?

I have learned that it is important to get things organised and take care of what needs to be done without letting it get in the way of the things I enjoy doing for fun. Taking responsibility for my life and working on self-improvement are important to me.

What are your plans for the future?

I want to continue handling things independently and develop my skills as a bicycle repair technician. I also want to get our house organised after moving, continue playing football, and play the guitar in a heavy metal band. I am considering taking up climbing as a new activity.

What do you think is the most important factor for helping you achieve your dreams in the future?

The most important thing is to maintain the belief that I can succeed.

What would you say to someone considering the programme?

I would recommend this programme because I have personally experienced how it changed me. It has given me greater confidence in my abilities and helped me take more responsibility for my own life.

Picture from the JobAut training in Norway with a project partner in June 2026, doing an exercise from the toolkit.