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Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools – Supporting Children and Young People
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Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools has been developed by the Department of Education as a resource for schools and others.
It is designed to help support the wellbeing, learning and participation of children and young people with autism in education.
It aims to assist school staff to understand the varied nature of students’ strengths and needs, as well as to identify whole-school and individualised approaches to supports for students.
It can be used by staff supporting autistic students across a range of educational environments including mainstream, special-class and special- school settings.
The guidelines have been developed for students with autism, but many of the strategies can be adapted for those with other special educational needs (for example: learning, social or behavioural needs).
The guidance provides information and support across the following EIGHT domains or key ‘areas of practice’, to enhance the wellbeing, learning and participation of autistic students:
- Learning Environment
- Language and Communication Development
- Social Development
- Emotional Development
- Sensory Processing
- Functional Skills for Daily Living
- Academic Development
- Behavioural Development
Students with autism may have different types of needs. The guidelines recommend that the eight domains of support are used in a holistic and inter-connected way when identifying students’ strengths and responding to their needs.
The guidance also covers supporting students with anxiety, transitions, relationships and sexuality education, digital learning and assistive technology, as well as teacher professional learning (TPL).
Information Note on the publication of Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools: Supporting Children and Young People
Please ensure that the contents of this Information Note are brought to the attention of all relevant staff in the school.
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Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools: Supporting Children and Young People
The guidance will help school leaders, teachers, SNAs and other school staff to respond to the needs of students with autism. It will be of particular use to school staff working in specialist education roles and settings.
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A companion resource, Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools - Indicators of Effective Practice, can be used by staff as part of a whole-school reflective process to review aspects of provision for students with autism.
Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools: Indicators of Effective Practice
Whole-school reflective practice is a critical process in enhancing education provision for students with autism
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The Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools is supported by an information video, available here: