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a pathway to supporting autistic children and young people in school
- Do you have a child in your class who is (or may be) on the autism spectrum?
- Not really sure where to find the most reliable, up-to-date information and advice?
- Note sure where to start … or where to go next?
The purpose of The 10 questions is to give staff a starting point and to support them to identify next steps when working with autistic children and young people. Ask yourself The 10 Questions and your answers will guide you along the pathway. On your journey you will:
- enhance your understanding of autism.
- learn how to begin to ‘profile’ a child’s/young person’s autism.
- be supported to help you identify targets and strategies.
- have direct links to free, downloadable resources you can use immediately.
- have access to regularly updated and current research, information and advice.
And … and all the time consuming searching has been done for you!
Nothing here is new. Everything is available out there, somewhere, whether it be on a website or in a bookshop. But every day teachers and parents tell me there is too much information now and they can’t determine what’s good, what’s bad or what’s indifferent. Nor do they know where to start. Or where to go next!
The 10 Questions is not simply a list of my ideas. The questions are based on the voice of autistic people themselves, robust research and evidence by leading organisations and individuals in the field of autism, and my 38 years teaching experience and working with children, young people and adults. They are the questions I ask myself when working with any autistic person.
Some things I’ve learned on my own journey …
Firstly, there is no such thing as an ‘autism strategy’. It’s all just good, structured, reflective teaching. As you ask and answer The 10 Questions you will begin to recognise that the strategies you introduce are of benefit to ALL children, not just those with additional support needs.
Secondly, don’t panic! Lisa Glashan, my former colleague, once wrote ‘The age and experience of the adult, prior experience of working with young people on the autism spectrum and additional qualifications have only a small impact on their ability to teach a person on the spectrum. What’s far more important is they are calm, predictable and flexible. You, as the adult, need to maintain a good sense of humour, be prepared to adapt, go out of your way a little and ask for help when you need it.’ You are part of a team. Several heads are always better than one.
Thirdly, Don’t take things personally. Sometimes working with an autistic child or young person can be incredibly de-skilling. Strategies that have worked for you in the past suddenly don’t seem to work any more. Remember, ALL behaviour (even when it challenges us) is a form of communication. It’s working out what the person is communicating that can be the tricky part!
And finally, as educationalists we just want to ‘fix’. We ‘fix’ spelling and sums, we ‘fix’ handwriting and punctuation. Autism is a complex and lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. It’s a different way of thinking, perceiving and learning. There is nothing to ‘fix’. Rather, we are trying to teach autistic children and young people to understand their autism and help them develop strategies so they learn how to use their strengths to support their challenges as they navigate their own journey.
Testimonials
“I have known Anne for a number of years now and hold her work in the highest regard. The range of her experience in education and autism is broad and she has contributed significantly to many strategic developments in the field. Perhaps more importantly, her input in schools and with families most often leads to measurable improvement and greater success. What has impressed me in recent years is the connection she makes with front-line staff and parents where she confidently demonstrates that every situation and service can be improved. The key component here, is Anne’s clear understanding of and compassion for young people with autism. Anne knows what it takes to make a positive connection with schools, families and young people. Anne gets it and …she knows autism.”
“Really informative and eye opening. Clearly passionate about informing others and helping people learn about autism and where to go for more advice if needed. Really enjoyed and would and will attend anymore in my area”
“Had a brilliant full days training today with love autism, very informative, relatable and enjoyable.”
“I have attended 2 courses delivered by Anne through Lanarkshire Carers. I have learned more about Autism from these courses than I have over the last 8 years. Anne is such a lovely person and so passionate about passing on her knowledge.”