This specialist team of qualified teachers has experience and additional qualifications related to supporting Autistic children and young people (CYP).

Autism Specialist Teacher Support

The Autism Support Specialist Teacher team is a school-based service. They support CYP within mainstream schools in Buckinghamshire. They are a ‘needs-led’ service so a child may:

• already have a formal diagnosis of autism
• be on a pathway awaiting a diagnosis of autism
• have professionals who are exploring a child's needs and who have approached us for guidance

The CYP may have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which identifies support from the team as part of their provision. Schools may also request further support or advice if the CYP is identified as needing SEND Support within their school.

Support from an Autism Specialist Teacher may include:

• Classroom observation to inform inclusive practice
• Providing advice on making adjustments and managing the learning environment
• Monitoring and reporting the impact of our advice
• Training and workforce development for school staff, other professionals and parents
• Supporting school staff to understand an individual CYP’s profile of needs. Support staff to promote positive aspects of a CYP’s abilities, skills, and behaviours
• Assisting schools in identifying targeted support and measuring the impact of the support
• Modelling and supporting the set-up of specific interventions
• Supporting schools in adapting the curriculum, teaching, and learning to promote well-being and success
• Liaison with parents/carers, other professional services and agencies as appropriate
• Working with individual CYP as appropriate
• Contributing to Annual Review meetings and EHCP updates
• Inputting into SEND plans and multi-agency working through co-production
• Working with the setting to promote whole-group and individual approaches
• Providing structured opportunities for social development
• Promoting an ethos and environment that fosters social inclusion
• Promoting developing and supporting Independence

National Autistic Society EarlyBird Plus 

EarlyBird Plus is an eight-week programme designed for the families and settings of primary school-aged children:

• with a diagnosis of Autism,
• or those with needs identified as Autism where a diagnostic assessment has not been undertaken.

Sessions are designed for settings to attend alongside parents. They are based on a group learning approach. Parents, professionals and trainers share experiences and strategies in the sessions. The course aims to:

• Equip parents and carers to develop a greater understanding of their child’s needs.
• Develop a consistent approach across settings (home and school).
• Empower parents and professionals to understand more about autism and the needs of the children they support.

The course includes topics such as:

• Understanding and supporting sensory differences
• Understanding and supporting communication differences
• Understanding and interpreting behaviour

There are also two individual family sessions for parents. This allows them to discuss any particular issues and enable approaches for their child with the course leaders.

Cohorts will run every term starting in September, January and April. Cohort sizes are limited. Families not allocated to a particular cohort will be offered future dates. Families are not charged for attending the course.  

More information can be found on the National Autistic Society website.

Referrals

With parental agreement, School SENCos can make referrals to this programme. Schools can download the EarlyBird Plus Parent Information Leaflet [PDF, 192KB].

For further information please do not hesitate to contact the Autism team by

• Phone: 01494 475199
• Email: sts@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

National Autistic Society Teen Life

Teen Life is a six-week programme designed for the families and settings of secondary-aged children:

• with a diagnosis of autism
• or those with needs identified as autism where a diagnostic assessment has not been undertaken.

Sessions are for settings to attend alongside parents. They are based on a group learning approach whereby parents, professionals and trainers share experiences and strategies. The course aims to: 

• Bring parents together to share information, experiences and ideas in a structured way.
• Equip parents and carers to develop a greater understanding of their teen’s needs.
• Develop a consistent approach across settings (home and school).
• Empower parents and professionals to understand more about autism and the needs of the autistic teens they support.

The course includes topics such as:

• Self-esteem
• Stress and anxiety
• Understanding your diagnosis
• Puberty
• Education- planning for the future

Cohorts will run every term starting in September, January and April. Cohort sizes are limited. Families not allocated to a particular cohort will be offered future dates. Families are not charged for attending the course.  

More information can be found on the National Autistic Society website. 

Referrals

With parental agreement, School SENCos can make referrals to this programme. Schools can download the Teen Life parent information leaflet [PDF, 156KB]. 

For further information please do not hesitate to contact the Autism team by

• Phone: 01494 475199
• Email: sts@buckinghamshire.gov.uk