Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and interacts with people around them. Children and adults with autism are unable to relate to others in a meaningful way. Their ability to develop friendships is impaired as is their capacity to understand other people's feelings. People with autism can often have accompanying learning disabilities but everyone with the condition shares a difficulty in making sense of the world. There is also a condition called Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a form of autism usually used to describe people at the higher functioning end of the autistic spectrum.
All people with autism have impairments in social interaction, social communication and imagination. This is referred to as the triad of impairments. In addition to this triad, repetitive behaviour patterns can be a notable feature, as is a general resistance to change in routine.
Mission Statement for the Learning Support Base
Dove House School is committed to meeting the needs
of all the children within its community.
Our vision is to provide the highest quality care and the Learning
Support Base team are committed to providing the best support and
education for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder such that
it will be a model of excellence for integration into schools of
a similar nature.
Mr. J Sporton - Autism Manager
About the Learning Support Base
The Learning Support Base at Dove House was set up in 1999, to meet the needs of the growing number of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The Base is situated next to the school’s main building, but is still very much part of the school. It aims to provide a supportive education for the pupils in meeting all their needs and helps prepares them to live independent lives.
There is a committed and experienced team of staff
working in the Support Base. The base enables pupils to work on
a 1:1 basis, in small groups, or supported where needed, in the
subject classroom. It is also used as a base for meetings with parents,
staff, pupils and visitors.
Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder become adults with Autistic
Spectrum Disorder, yet much can be achieved with the appropriate
education and support.
The resource has received several excellent inspection reports.
Curriculum
Pupils follow National Curriculum subjects as they
are taught and learned by the whole school community. Dissaplication
of certain subjects can be arranged on an individual pupil basis
as appropriate.
At secondary school age, independence, self-organisation, self-reliance
and understanding ‘the system’ are skills quickly and
intuitively learned by normally developing children. Children with
Autistic Spectrum Disorder may never master these skills, but they
can be given appropriate support and learn strategies to help them
deal with problems that arise from the syndrome.
In order to achieve this, they need a specially enhanced educational curriculum and support from teachers and Learning Support Assistants who understand.
As pupils progress through the school, the curriculum may need to be differentiated to accommodate their individual needs. This is the role and responsibility of the Learning Support Base team.
Admission
The number of pupils accessing the Learning Support Base provision fluctuates from year to year. The provision in September 2007 is for 15 pupils across all the age range. Pupils must be able to access the majority of a ‘mainstream’ curriculum and will have a resourced place on their statement of Special Educational Needs.
Ofsted comments
‘The management of the ASD is outstanding and has broadened to support other pupils with ASD in the school succesfully.’
‘It is especially notable that pupils with ASD make outstanding progress. Those who have the most difficulty in working with others gradually join with their peer group for lessons.’
