[senco-forum] Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Dear Colleagues,

  "Barbara James" <bc52james at hotmail.com> wrote

>   Dear Colleagues,
>
>I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions. We have a pupil in Year 3
>who is on the Autistic Spectrum and he has some support from an assistant.
>The problem is that sine he came into Year 3 he is not completing very much
>work set by the teachers. He has to go to a different teacher for Numeracy
>and he is reluctant to go into the room when he idoes not have his assistant
>with him. He completes very little work and staff are quite concerned about
>this as he is quuite capable.
>He does not complete work set by his own class teacher and everyone is
>beginning to feel quite concerned. Does anyone have any ideas or strategies
>which they have used.
>
>He has a time table and he has an iEP which has targets on, but none of them
>seem to be very successful at present.

Hello Catherine --

As there are so many things mentioned in your message which could be 
causing this behaviour, such as big change from Yr 2 (and there may well be 
other things we don't know about such as teacher behaviour, other kids or 
stuff at home), perhaps the best thing would be to seek some observation 
and advice from whoever in your area supports pupils with autism in schools 
-- EP or autism advisory service???

It sounds as though a really good look at what's causing him these probs 
and what supports/accommodations are needed is called for, given how 
complex and individual difficulties arising from autism can be.

And if targets on his IEPs are being repeatedly missed, should his 
statement be reviewed or should he be reassessed -- or if no statement 
should there be one as he works better when he has his assistant around?

Best wishes

Chris