Teaching and learning

We believe that young people with autism spectrum conditions (ASC), like all young people, learn best when they are happy, interested and motivated.

Like all young people they need to achieve success and have their progress recognised in a way that is meaningful to them. They need tasks which they understand and which match their abilities. They need to be confident and secure and to be given an appropriate level of challenge and stimulation. However, children and young people with ASC do not think and learn in the same way as others and we take this into account in our work with them.

Our approach to teaching and learning is based on an understanding of the autism spectrum. Usually, young people with ASC will have problems in learning in a social environment. They may find it hard to understand others or to communicate in ways that others understand. They may find it difficult to use imagination, to think flexibly, to problem solve and to transfer what they have learned from one setting to another. Some young people with an ASC may experience sensory difficulties, clumsiness, problems with handwriting, and difficulties with organisation in school.

No two people with autism are the same. The nature and extent of their difficulties varies from person to person and over time. Some difficulties may be severe and others more subtle, but all young people within the autism spectrum will experience significant problems in learning in school if we don’t find ways to help them. At Inscape House, we have a range of ways of supporting each young person with whom we work.

It is our belief that all young people are entitled to access a broad and balanced curriculum, incorporating the National Curriculum. However, for young people with ASC there needs to be an emphasis on the teaching of communication and social skills and the development of independence. In addition, because of the confusion that some children with ASC can experience, we need to ensure that we present things to them in ways that they can understand.

In teaching young people, or supporting others to do so, we try to take into account a range of factors including:

• Physical environment
• Social environment
• Communication environment
• Teaching strategies
• Motivation.

We consider all of these factors and make adjustments to meet the needs of the individual.

We believe that it is important too that links are made with the family and others who work with the child or young person. This ensures consistency of approach and that the young person’s learning transfers across home, school and community.

All our staff have the appropriate professional qualifications and all are trained to understand autism and to implement autism-specific approaches to support teaching and learning.