Introduction to being an Autism Lead

What is it that Autistic Children/Young People need in order to thrive in their educational settings?

To identify children with or without a diagnosis who are at risk of not coping at school To talk to the children and/or parents on a regular basis to gain their views on the challenges and potential solutions To have a safe haven within the school for the child to go during lessons and breaks, as needed To inform all staff about their specific needs To foster the child’s inclusion with peers in a sensitive way

Autism Lead Point of contact for Autistic children /young people and their parents/carers Help promote an ‘Autistic Friendly’ environment Support staff and raise an awareness of Autism

Autism Education Trust materials Working Together with your child’s school Do you have a child with autism in your class? A guide for teachers A parent and carers’ guide to Finding a school for your child with autism

Hertfordshire County NHS Trust – Children’s Occupational Therapy PALMS Hertfordshire SENDIASS ADD-vance Hertfordshire County NHS Trust – Children’s Speech &Language Therapy Service

Autism Lead Point of contact for Autistic children /young people and their parents/carers Help promote an ‘Autistic Friendly’ environment Support staff and raise an awareness of Autism

Autism Education Trust Training

This one and a half hour session is designed for staff teams within a setting who need to develop their awareness and understanding of autism. This includes teachers, teaching assistants, transport staff, lunchtime staff, senior management, governors and service staff such as administrators. It will support participants to: • Identify the four key areas of difference that need to be taken into account. • Know the importance of understanding the individual pupil and their profile of strengths and areas for development. • Identify the key areas to help pupils on the autism spectrum build positive relationships with staff, peers, families and people in their community. • Develop an awareness of the sensory and communication differences that pupils may experience. This session is suitable for practitioners working with school-age pupils on the autism spectrum in both mainstream and specialist services.

This one day training event has been designed to support all practitioners working directly with pupils on the autism spectrum to develop their practice. The training will: • Enable practitioners to develop their knowledge and understanding of good autism practice • Provide guidelines and activities to support practitioners to reflect on and improve their own practice This session is suitable for practitioners working with school-age pupils on the autism spectrum in both mainstream and specialist services.

Autism Lead Point of contact for Autistic children /young people and their parents/carers Help promote an ‘Autistic Friendly’ environment Support staff and raise an awareness of Autism

School Offer We have a Setting/School Autism Lead, he/she is called…. This is your initial point of contact if you need information about services available. Every child with autism will be given a Pupil Profile that highlights their strengths, interests and needs – and will be reviewed regularly. Our …. is a safe place where your child can go to be quiet and free from any distractions Our staff are in the process of being trained by the Autism Education Trust to ensure that everyone who comes into contact with your child has a greater understanding of their individual needs. We ensure that there is a positive ‘Transition Pathway’ that will support transitions within the setting/school and when your child moves on to their next School. We ensure that we have strong Parental partnerships so that any change in your child’s circumstances are quickly responded to and needs are met. This relies on open parental communication. We endeavour to listen to your child’s views, we take in to consideration that children have different ways of communicating and we will need appropriate strategies to support them.

Autism Education Trust materials Autism Standards – whole school audit Autism Competency Framework – Individual members of staff

Autism Education Trust materials Autism Progression Framework – for individual pupils

Pupil Profiles