CONTENTS:Introduction. 1. Planning the Move. 1.1. Identifying the problem. 1.2. Planning ahead - the ''2-year plan''. 1.3. Choosing the new school. 1.4. Involving wider autism professionals. 1.5. Preparing your child. 2. Before Moving On. 2.1. Collecting your data (what has worked up to now?). 2.2. Sharing information about your child. 2.3. Visiting the new school. 2.4. Collecting support information - photos, maps, curriculum textbooks, planners. 2.5. Identifying a named adult and 'safe haven'. 2.6. Identifying sensory difficulties and 'flagging them up' to the new school. 2.7. Identifying useful technologies. 2.8. Identifying key skills to be developed (and habits to be broken) and working them into the Education Plan. 2.9. Encouraging the 'named adult' to visit the current school. 2.10. Working out a 'transition time-line' with clear identification of responsibilities for all involved. 2.11. Dealing with rumour. 2.12. Adapting current strategies that work for supporting transition. 2.13. Utilising existing AS community of school. 2.14. Familiarising your child with the school and the concept of the school. 3. The Holidays. 3.1. Looking at strategies to minimise distress at leaving the old school. 3.2. Providing preparation and support during the holiday period. 3.3. Addressing practical issues. 3.4. Taking on a project. 3.5. Identifying and practising the different social 'rules' and expectations of the new school. 4. The First Days. 4.1. Considering a flexi-start. 4.2. Using support. 4.3. Checking his needs have been understood. 4.4. Providing practical and organisational support. 4.5. Monitoring and supporting homework. 4.6. Helping with management of workload. 4.7. Facilitating communication. 4.8. Ensuring that the 'simple' supports are in place (and remain so). 4.9. Accessing transition support from 'Asperger community' of school. 4.10. Evaluating the first days. 5. Into the Future. Appendix: Transition Check-list. Further Reading. Index.
Description
Moving schools for children on the spectrum can be a positive experience if approached in the right way. It requires an understanding of autism, knowledge of the individual child and planning. This book provides both parents and teachers with some excellent tips and strategies to make a successful school transition possible.