5.4 Considerations for educational staff

It is highly likely that all staff will have an autistic learner in their class at some stage.

This module and the Toolbox provide a range of appropriate information, guidance and resources to help education staff meet the needs of their autistic learners and their families and welcome them into the school community.

Staff need to consider their pedagogical approaches to ensure their early years setting, school and classroom are environments in which autistic learners feel safe, healthy and happy, active, nurtured, achieving, respected, responsible, and included.

Activity 16 Reflective Log

Note down what is important for teachers and colleagues to embed into their practice.

Select here to see some examples.

Answer

  • Understand the individual learner, consider their strengths and needs.
  • Build relationships with parents or carers.
  • Engage with other agencies and staff involved with the learner.
  • Make appropriate adjustments to teaching and learning for the learner; ensure that the school curriculum is accessible (through the way in which activities are presented, modifications to the curriculum are made as required and specific consideration of the social curriculum). This approach is a legal requirement for children and young people who have a disability and will also be supportive to many more learners, with and without additional support needs.
  • Work in partnership with parents/carers – they will have suggestions of what works well for their child.
  • Ensure parents and carers are aware of the supports in place.
  • Develop an enabling environment that takes account of physical, communication and social aspects.

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5.3 Supporting activities of daily living