| An Autistic Spectrum
Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability that
affects the way a person communicates and relates to people
around them. We use the word ‘spectrum’ because
the underlying impairments can vary significantly between
individuals. However, despite these wide-ranging differences,
everyone with ASD has difficulty in social interaction, social
communication and imaginative thinking. This is known as
the ‘triad of impairments’. This means that their
ability to develop friendships is generally limited, as is
their capacity to understand emotional expression and another’s
point of view. |
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| When
deciding on a class for the children with ASD there are two
choices at Alexandra: |
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Standard
Provision
Many children with ASD at Alexandra School may be achieving
well, despite the triad of impairments. They will be
able to communicate and learn effectively
within the mixed ability classes. For these children, the staff’s understanding
of their ASD can be all that is needed to prevent problems arising. Each child
has an Individual Learning Plan with targets to address their difficulties,
particularly those associated with the triad of impairments. All our staff
have training in
understanding and meeting the needs of children with ASD. Some members of staff
are particularly experienced in working with children with ASD and have an
outreach function in the Local Authority to support other schools.
All classes in school have one or more children with an ASD. There are considerable
benefits for a child with ASD being in one of our mixed classes. They learn alongside
neurotypical children who are able to provide good role models for language and
social communication. Also, there are children to model sharing, turn taking
and play skills.
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The
Autism Specific Environment – “The ASE Place”
The children who are more challenging in their social interaction and communication
may need specific provision, enabling them to access small group teaching using
particular approaches. These are often the younger children in the school who
are in the early stages of developing their communication skills.
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In September 2006
we opened our specific provision, “The ASE Place”.
ASE stands for Autism Specific Environment. This provision
is referred to in
our school’s “Policy for provision for children with Autistic Spectrum
Disorder”. The ASE Place is housed in a self-contained and purpose-built
environment, but is still an integral part of the main school. Children and staff
from all areas of the school can pass freely from one part of the school to the
other.
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If
you have any questions about the provision for ASD at Alexandra,
please contact Nicky Chance, the Senior Teacher responsible
for the ASE place, by email: office@alexandra-school.co.uk
To learn more
about the ASE Place and how it works, please watch the
video below. |
