Autism at School
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AUTISM AT SCHOOL - Summary of Contents

This video resource has been designed for viewers to easily skip to sections which are of interest using the ‘next chapter’ button on the DVD player.  Alternatively a viewer can play the video through from the start and each section follows seamlessly.

Section 1: The School Experience

Intro (3 mins)
This section begins with an introduction explaining what autism is, how it can affect learning, and the case studies from different types of schools and classrooms which follow.

Mainstream – Primary  (20 mins)
Andrew (10) was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.  His mother Catherine explains the problems he faces at school, why communication between home and school is essential, and how she enlisted the support of his classmates.  Andrew’s teacher explains why it is important to get to know the child well and find out what works for them.  She gives examples of teaching strategies that have worked.  Andrew talks about what he likes about school and what he finds difficult. The RTLB (resource teacher learning and behaviour) explains how she helps parents and teachers to come up with successful strategies.  
Tom (10) was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. His mother Lynda talks about his experiences at school and what works well.  Therapist Linda Waples has worked with Tom since he was diagnosed and their focus now is on social situations.  She explains the problems he faces and how he is being prepared for the transition to high school next year.

Mainstream – Secondary (15 mins)
Jordan (15) was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome when he was 14.  His mother Debbie, his high school guidance counsellor, English teacher and Jordan himself explain what he finds difficult at school and how they have coped.  Debbie talks about the difficulties he had with bullying at primary school, and how she ended up pulling him out of school for 18 months and home-schooled him herself.  Support measures were put in place when he started high school but the pressures built up and he still struggles to manage.  The school has implemented the blame-free bullying approach to help support him. Jordan wants to study engineering so knows he must do well at school.

Special School (15 mins)
Parkside is a special school for children with learning disabilities.  Principal Judith Nel explains how parents may go through a process of grief in deciding to send their child there.  The mother of one student, Lewis, explains his experiences in mainstream and the difference Parkside has made. Teachers and therapists show how they are working with children and the techniques they use to help them to learn.  The practical use of visual supports is highlighted and a sensory room session is shown, with the therapist introducing textures and lighting to a student.  Judith talks about the types of educational choices parents have.     

Visiting Specialist Teacher (12 mins)
Parkside school has begun a specialist teacher visiting service to enable children with learning disabilities to attend their local school with support to help their teacher program effectively.  Specialist teacher Devs is working with student Justine and modeling ‘best practice’ techniques for the teacher aide.  She talks about the problems teachers face in teaching a child with autism and how these can be overcome.  Devs provides resources appropriate to the child’s current needs.  Parkside principal Judith Nel explains the reasons behind the visiting teacher service and the results to date.
 
Satellite – Primary (8 mins)
A satellite class at Pukekohe East primary school is the focus of this case study.  The vice principal explains why the school decided to set up the class and the benefits for all the children. Teachers in the satellite class show how they adapt the environment and their approach to enable their students to cope better.  Interaction with the mainstream classes is also shown, including satellite children taking part in regular lessons and mainstream students visiting the satellite classroom for activities such as buddy reading.  

Satellite – Secondary (12 mins)
Several ASD children in a high school satellite class are the focus of this case study.  Their teacher talks about how the satellite provides a high school experience without the anxiety and how it integrates into the wider school.  She gives examples of the problems students with autism may face in the mainstream and how understanding their needs enables them to manage successfully at school.   Several students take part in a discussion about how the find school, the problems with teasing and bullying, difficulties in class, and their hopes for the future.  The methods used to prepare students for leaving school are also shown including the teaching of life skills and work experience.


Section 2: Advice & Tips

This section contains graphics and interviews with specialists, parents and teachers focusing on various issues which have been highlighted in Section 1.
It is designed so viewers can use the ‘next chapter’ button on their DVD player/remote control to skip easily to the subjects which they are interested in learning more about.  The subjects are as follows:

•    The Triad of Disorder - 6 mins
•    Supporting Your Student -13 mins
•    Managing Behaviour - 6 mins
•    Starting a New School - 4 mins
•    First time with an ASD Student?  - 8 mins
•    Parent & Teacher Partnership - 4 mins
•    Coping with Secondary School - 5 mins
•    Coping in the Playground - 3 mins
•    Coping without a Teacher Aide - 2 mins
•    If You’re Struggling… - 1 min
•    Links


Section 3: Talking About School

This section contains more of the views from the ASD students interviewed in the case studies, plus a more detailed look at the blame-free bullying approach being used to support a student with Asperger’s syndrome at Cromwell College.  The segments are as follows:
•    Andrew’s View - 5 mins
•    Blame-free Bullying – 8 mins
•    Pukekohe High School Students – 8 mins

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