The Unit for children with Autism opened in September 1999. It comprises of three classes, one is for children at early years and key stage 1 the other for upper key stage 1 and the older class for key stage 2. There are currently fifteen children attending the unit, five in each class.
In September 2007 the unit was relocated to a three base class space within the school. This is a redesign and a new structure within the school. Each classroom base has its own additional integral withdrawal room. In September 2008 we opened as a three base run unit with 15 children.
The Unit supports children who have a statement for autism. The children attending the Unit also have additional learning difficulties, however autism is their over riding barrier to learning. Children are always regarded as individuals with their individual needs being kept in focus in every activity.
The Unit is an integral part of Newbold Verdon Primary School. All staff, governors and children see the Unit and the main part of the school as a whole.
Opportunities are given throughout the day for the children to be included with the main part of the school.
For a diagnosis of Autism to be made children
and people with autism must display difficulties in three areas
of development. This is called the "Triad of Impairment."
These areas are as follows:
1. Difficulty with language and communication.
2. Difficulty in social understanding and interactions.
3. Difficulty with Flexibility of thought and imagination.
The person with autism can exhibit these difficulties to varying degrees and the condition can encompass a wide spectrum of difficulties. Thus they are seen as being on the "Autism Spectrum of Disorder." Research has also shown an emerging fourth area of difficulty that of sensory integration issues.
The Unit adopts no single approach as a teaching method, taking an eclectic approach that offers a wide range of teaching methods as appropriate for the individual child. We have selected approaches that are known to be successful methods namely:
- Teach
- Picture Exchange Communication system.
- Interactive play and Social interaction.
- Team Teach a Behavioural and positive handling strategies.
- Visual timetables
- Individual teaching time.
- Dance massage.
- Yoga and relaxation.
The unit maintains a planned timetable to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum is offered to the children. The children have Individual Education Plans which address the areas of the "triad" and objectives within these areas they are working on. Individual objectives are also set from the other core curriculum areas. The children work on National Curriculum Areas from a two year plan. These are tailored to the specific needs of the children with the areas of the "Triad," that is, communication, language, social and interaction skills always being addressed through the National Curriculum Programmes of Study.
Structure is important as it offers children security and predictability. Teaching is carried out in individual teaching sessions, small groups and some whole class time. Play and independent skills are also promoted for the children through our curriculum.
The Unit is seen as an integral part of the school. The main emphasis of inclusion for the children in the Unit is that for social interaction. It is seen as a two way process with benefits for both the unit children and mainstream children.
Dinnertimes, playtimes and whole school events are valuable times for inclusion to work. Other more specific time is also created through "tutor time". Here a year 6 pupil from the main part of the school is paired with a child from the unit. They get together for 30 minutes a week to share interactive games and play sessions.
Each child is assessed individually and where they can benefit from
joining mainstream classes they access these lessons.
Below you cabn find our Prospectus in PDF format, please click th icon show below to open the Prospectus
Prospectus
We have a very supportive network of parents who have set up their
own charity. Miracles to believe in.
Chairman: Julian Heubeck
Secretary: Marianne Martin.
The National Autistic Society.
276, Willesden Lane
,
London .
00171 8332299.
Jigsaw.
Autism Outreach
Rothley House,
Jackson street,
Coalville.
Information for Parents/Carers.
Leicestershire Specialist Teaching Service - Autism Outreach Team
The National Autistic Society
PARIS - Public Autism Resource and Information Service
Miracles to believe in - A charity for children with Autism
Priory Woods School
Poisson rouge
BBC - Cbeebies
sen teacher - downloads - We like Touch Tunes and Touch Chimes in the freeware section.
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