In my teaching, I utilise a variety of communication-based, educational and behavioural approaches such as PECS, TEACCH and principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis.  My aim is to actively involve children and young people to explore and make sense of the world in which they live, so I also incorporate structured music, drama and art interventions in my lessons. These playfully capture the attention of the individual to encourage joint attention, social interaction and communication. My approach is based on the National Autistic Society’s SPELL framework for understanding and responding to the needs of children on the autism spectrum.

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High-tech Aided, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems are used to support and encourage speech and language development, making learning visual, accessible and fun. Other methods to increase focus and joint attention include the Attention Autism programme and play based intervention therapies centred on the individual’s interests.

 

Working within the curriculum framework, and in partnership with parents and other health professionals, I believe in cross-curricular teaching, informed by the child’s strengths, core deficits, cognition, language, play and social skills. My lessons are tailored to the young person's preferred methods of learning, making learning enjoyable, challenging but always achievable, boosting confidence and self-esteem with each session.  

 

My expectations  are high but always realistic and I will always try to see the world from my student's perspective. Progress is regularly evaluated, and successes shared with parents after each session so that support can be continued at home with the strategies I have employed. I aim to help children and young people to  become confident learners, achieve their best so that they are more able to make successful transitions into adulthood and live happy and fulfilled lives.