Environment
The school or setting has a supportive and inclusive ethos for all, which is driven by the senior leadership team and governors, and implemented by the teachers, teaching assistants or learning mentors, midday supervisors and the wider school community. Children and young people (CYP) access a learning environment, which reinforces the development of language, social communication, and interaction through verbal and non-verbal means. All staff understand autism and are aware of the potential impact on a CYP’s social communication, sensory, emotional regulation and learning needs. The school or setting makes appropriate environmental adaptations, which support the sensory, learning, and social communication needs of the CYP.
Examples may include:
- Low arousal or quiet and calm areas.
- Individual workstation.
- A whole class visual timetable.
- Individual visual supports (such as timetable or task planners).
- First-Then boards. A visual that provides information to a child around task expectations and what will follow. The "first" section involves a task that the child must complete. The "then" section should always be an item or activity that is preferred by your child.
- Key communication symbols are accessible (on keyrings or posters).
The school has a system for identifying CYP who have differences in their social communication and are not meeting age-appropriate/developmental expectations. Staff will respond with appropriate support and know when to escalate concerns through the school’s Graduated Approach and response to need systems. This may include referral to outside agencies for further assessment, advice, and support. Staff will make reasonable adjustments in response to the CYP’s needs.
School staff will work collaboratively with relevant external agencies:
- Speech and Language Therapy Services.
- Cambridgeshire's Special Educational Needs and Disability 0-25 Services.
- Community Paediatrics or Occupational Therapy Services to achieve the best outcomes for the CYP.
There is a whole school commitment to accessing and engaging in accredited Autism training to make the school an Autism friendly environment.
Glossary
Click the button below to go to the glossary page.
