Prior to autistic children receiving specialist and targeted advice/programmes from the autism specialist speech and language therapy team, certain strategies should be consistently in place in order to support understanding of:
- Routines
- Development of emotional and sensory regulation
- Attention and listening skills.
Curriculum teaching and child-specific speech and language input is unlikely to be fully effective unless these are in place. Delaying their implementation may affect the child reaching their full potential.
The checklist below outlines the essentials that should be in place:
- Consistent and predictable daily routines adapted for each individual child throughout the entire school day.
- Consistent use of a visual timetable at each transition point throughout the day. Additional symbols can be carried on lanyards and shown to the child when mobile.
- Timetabled opportunities for regular breaks to enable movement, quiet and/or self-directed time. This will support the child’s sensory regulation and state of alertness.
- Use of a ‘First and Then’ board to support the child’s understanding of completing activities in order of First and Then. The use of a sand timer alongside this can help gradually extend the child’s attention.
- Labelled learning areas and resources as using symbols will support the child’s recognition and understanding of activities in the classroom.
- Use of a total communication approach where spoken language, gestures/signs, symbols, drawing, writing, body language and/or facial expressions are accepted and deemed equally important parts of communication.
The approach below must be in place if recommended by SALT following assessment:
- Daily box time sessions delivered in a quiet, distraction-free environment. (Please contact SALT if you have any questions regarding Box Time, how to progress to the next step or if it is appropriate to stop it).
A useful document for further reference is Newcastle City Council’s SEND mainstream guidance.
Contact
Please contact the Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy autism team, if you have any queries or need support implementing autism-inclusive spaces.
Tel: 0191 282 3085
