Supporting Pupils on the Autism Spectrum in Primary Schools A Practical Guide for Teaching Assistants

Written to meet the needs of teaching assistants and learning support assistants, this book provides a practical toolkit for supporting students on the autistic spectrum in mainstream primary schools.

The book offers a clear, jargon free explanation of autism spectrum conditions and examines the difficulties arising from these conditions and how they can impact on students? learning. Addressing issues which arise on a daily basis, it is full of practical advice and strategies for supporting students socially and academically across all areas of the curriculum.

Features include:

? advice on supporting students through examinations

? examples and case studies to illustrate how the strategies described work in practice

? forms to help with information collection and evaluation

? templates to scaffold students? comprehension and learning in different subject areas

Packed with photocopiable resources that can be adapted to suit individual students? needs, this book is essential reading for teaching assistants that want to help their students? on the autism spectrum to reach their full potential.

PART ONE

1. Strengths of Individuals with Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism

2. Important things to know about Autism Spectrum Conditions

3. Autism and Asperger Syndrome – a brief history

4. Girls with Asperger Syndrome

5. Parents are a Valuable Resource – Use Them

PART TWO

6. Be Prepared! Transition into Primary School

7. Sensory Overload - Creating an Autism Friendly Environment

8. The Real Challenge - Managing Behaviour

9. Bullying and Asperger Syndrome

PART THREE

10. Organization - Practicalities

11. Autism is a Communication Difficulty

12. Handwriting Difficulties, Poor Working Memory and Scribing for a Pupil with AS

13. Written Assignments

14. English Literature

15. Science, Technologies and PE

16. School Trips

Afterword

Glossary of Terms

Bibliography

Cary Canavan is a Consultant in Autism specialising in Asperger Syndrome. She offers training, advice and support for those teaching and employing young people with AS.