1. Not speech and language therapy
Looking for ways of encouraging social communication skills at Coleg Gwent

2. Some classroom space - unsupervised
The problem
Up until the end of 2015 opportunities for encouraging the development of social communication skills were limited to our Independent Living Skills students.
Students with Autism who were on mainstream programmes had no access to SALT and very little opportunities for supported communication during breaks and lunchtimes.
Canteen
Green room
Corridor areas and reception
Some classroom space - unsupervised
Learning Centre

3. Who?
Students with Autism/Asperger’s/Speech, Language and Communication Difficulties
Poor social skills
Often self-isolating
Hyper-sensitive
Highly anxious
Not street-wise
‘Odd’ behaviours

4. Expertise Space Training costs Access to specialists Confidence
The barriers to progress…
Expertise
Space
Training costs
Access to specialists
Confidence
Funding for staffing
Courage

5. What changed?
FE Templates – increase in the identification of SALT for students seeking specialist college placements
Increasing ‘encouragement’ from WG to look for solutions
‘Complex Needs’ grant from WG allowing training to be planned
A realisation of the flexibility within ALN Funding to support in more creative ways
Finding a local ‘expert’ to work with who agreed that SALT was not the only approach to developing social communication

6. Discussing and agreeing a model Training staff
Choosing students
Working through problems
Developing a plan
Resources
Identifying rooms

7. The model: Comms Clubs Lunchtime clubs that provide:
An uncrowded place to eat
Opportunities to share interests
Staffed by ASAs that have received all 3 stages of ASD training
Resourced where needed (examples so far include books, Meccano, Lego Robot kits, art consumables and a range of board games
Supported through on-going advice from our ASD ‘expert’

8. Early days…
We have yet to really start making any headway with social communication skills although we have already attracted a lot of attention from students and their parents.
It is going to take some time for staff to develop the skills to help those who have very entrenched difficulties with social communication.
We don’t know if it will work yet!

9. This was one way that Coleg Gwent has investigated how we might find ways of meeting a broader range of complex needs.
In groups of 3 or 4, discuss:
How your colleges currently meet the needs of students with complex, multiple or profound learning difficulties.
How you might increase this range and in what ways/with what additional resources.
Are there limits to the types and severity of complex needs you can meet