Making Sense of Autism Across Surrey

Hands As Autism specialists, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind you about the Surrey ASC Outreach Service, available free of charge to all mainstream secondary schools.

Under the new 2014 SEND Code, schools are required to consider any causal factors leading to a pupil presenting with special educational needs, including those exhibited as traits of ASC. There is now a clear emphasis on understanding the nature of individual need in order to work out what action the school needs to take. With particular reference to ASC, schools need to recognise the impact of resilience and well-being on attainment outcomes: witnessing the increasing pressures of 21st century living and supporting these young people in managing the stress and pace of change in our world today.

Ofsted highlights the importance of lessons being planned to specifically address potential areas of difficulty and thereby remove barriers to pupil achievement. Successful schools have developed an ethos which pro-actively develops self-awareness, scaffolds strategies for self-regulation and provides opportunities to practise social skills.

We can support you in addressing these issues and offer the following support and guidance:

Classroom observations and meetings with students, developing the pupil’s understanding of their ASC;
INSET Training: from a general overview of ASC, to workshops relating to specific students or issues;
ASC training sessions for teachers and teaching assistants, certificated through the Autism Education Trust (AET);
Basic autism awareness training for teaching or non-teaching staff within any education setting who need an understanding of autism in their role (including office staff, governors, caretakers, drivers and escorts);
Meetings with parents/carers and external agencies;
Written reports following an Outreach visit that will include baseline screening, target setting, resources and suggested strategies. This can be followed up by further visits as necessary;
Strategies designed to enhance the quality of Wave 1 provision to have maximum impact where consistently implemented;
E-mail and telephone advice, with personalised fact sheets available;
In-reach for staff, to enable them to see good practice in action and discuss interventions and resources.

The outreach service also offers the Barnardo’s Cygnet programme, an in-depth course designed to support parents and carers of children and young people aged 7-18 with ASC.

Teachers, SENCOs, EPs and GPs can make a referral for any pupil who has a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Condition, or is exhibiting traits of ASC. I have attached a blank referral form for you to save and use, as appropriate. I also attach some sample ASC resources that represent some aspects of our work.

We look forward to hearing from you.

With kind regards,

Debbie Walford

debbiewalfordoutreach@limpsfield-grange.surrey.sch.uk

Lucy Mitchell

lucymitchelloutreach@limpsfield-grange.surrey.sch.uk

Secondary School’s ASC Outreach Service in Surrey: NE and SE Quadrants

Please see below links to useful documentation:

Top Tips for ASD students 2017

Top Tips for transition to secondary school

ASC Advice Teenage Girls and Puberty Sheet

AET All levels training for organisations