1

Good Practice Conference

“…collating, disseminating and encouraging the adoption of good practice…”

2

Aberdeenshire Education Learning and Leisure

Supporting Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Janette Fotheringham and Gail McKeitchNovember 2009

3

•P7 – S1 Transition•Authority strategy•Outreach support system•Investment in training– Strathclyde– Seminars; training sessions etc

4

History of Developments

•January 2007Aberdeenshire Guidelines “Working Together to Support Autism”

•May 2007ASD Survey issued (Educational Psychology Service)

5

History of Developments (Cont’d)•October 2008Survey conclusions and recommendations endorsed by Education Committees•October 2009– MSc proposal accepted

Key Themes:»Audit of good practice»Highlight areas for development

•October 2009“Moving On” post-school passport & guidelines

6

Working Together to Support Autism

Principles

•Appropriate management•Social and academic development should go side-by-side•Parental involvement•Voice of the child•Robust training programme

7

Working Together to Support Autism

Aims•To develop and embed good practice for supporting children and young people with ASD•To develop an effective working partnership with parents•To develop collaborative working practice with other agencies•To provide a framework for professional development•To build the capacity of networks and establishments to provide appropriate support

8

Working Together to Support Autism

Contents•A framework for developing an autism friendly school – a staged procedure of intervention•Guidelines for teaching and support staff•“Moving On” – a passport workbook for supporting P7 – S1 transition and supporting guidelines•Information for parents and carers•Professional development information•Network support model

9

The Framework: Key Sections

•Assessment and planning•Grouping for teaching purposes•Human resources•Curriculum and teaching methods•Environment

10

“Moving On” P7 – S1

•Passport Workbook

•Guidelines for schools receiving a pupil with a passport workbook

11

Network Model and Parental Involvement

Gail McKeitchPG Cert / PG Dip Autism

12

•Initially, support for teaching staff and parents.•Contact point for Community School Network.•Where requested observe and offer support suggestions on an outreach basis.•Raise awareness of autism and forthcoming guidelines.

Aims and Objectives

13

•Parent•Education– pre-school/developmental nursery– primary/secondary school– secondary school– support staff– educational psychology service

•Community Support Worker.•Speech and Language therapy.•Community Paediatrician

Representation

14

•Executive Summary Autism Audit [commissioned by University of Dundee]

•Pathways to Policy - Supporting Learning in Aberdeenshire

Additional Literature

15

•Teaching Staff•Classroom assistants/Auxiliary staff.•Nursery/playgroup staff.•Transport drivers/escorts.•Ancillary staff.•Parents

Who do we support?

16

•Support to rural school.•Training Evenings – Personal Perspective of Aspergers syndrome– Sensory Integration– ASD Workshops

Achievements

17

•Multi-agency working•Supporting and promoting good practice•Supporting Inclusive practice by way of twilight workshops•November 2006 - a pilot groupNovember 2009 still going strong…

Where are we now?

18

Working Together to Support Autism

ASD Survey 2007 – Key Findings•Higher proportion of secondary schools using the guidelines than primary•Most pupils with ASD have IEPs or personal support plans•Most secondary schools are using the P7-S1 transition passport and the ASD friendly framework and find both useful•Primary schools who use both rate them highly•A more robust system of training is required

19

“Moving On” Post School

•Passport Workbook for young people leaving school•Guidelines for post school destinations

20

MSc Proposal

Gail McKeitch