May 2011

Hello,

I’m very excited to be able to tell you about the important developments in
the direction that the AET will be taking over the next two years. As part of the Government’s Improving outcomes for children, young people and families – a national prospectus, we have been given the opportunity to develop the first ever national standard, autism specific competency framework, qualification and training in autism education, to give teachers the appropriate tools and strategies to help their pupils to learn. We’ve got a busy year ahead of us, and you can keep up to date with all the latest developments through a new bi-monthly e-newsletter – please sign up here.

We have also just launched a new outcomes research project designed
to look at how education influences outcomes for people on the autism
spectrum. As part of the Outcomes Project we are conducting a range of
surveys for young people and adults with autism and their parents, as well as practitioners. The surveys will be open until 15th May 2011 and your opinions are intrinsic to the research, so please take part by clicking here, and forward on to anyone you feel would be interested in taking part.

Thank you for your continued support. I hope that you enjoy our May e-newsletter - we really value your feedback, so please feel free to contact us with your thoughts and suggestions.

With best wishes,

Sarah-Jane Critchley
AET Project Head

Tell a friend...

Is there someone you think would be interested to hear about the AET? Please forward this newsletter to them and ask them to send us their details so we can keep them up to date.

Autism Education Trust News

AET awarded £1.2 million grant to develop national standard

From 1 April 2011 the role of the AET will be to develop and deliver the first ever national standard, competency framework, qualification and training in autism education, following an award of £1.2m over two years from the Department for Education’s Voluntary and Community Sector grant. To keep up to date with all the latest developments sign up to our new bi-monthly training newsletter here.

Read more

AET commissions new research into children’s outcomes

The AET has commissioned important new research into how education
influences outcomes for people on the autism spectrum, as part of
thatwe are asking you to share your views with us. For full details of the
Outcomes Project and to take part in the survey, click here.

Read more

Autism supplement published in The Independent newspaper

Read the Independent’s supplement ‘Autism’ here. The supplement has been produced to raise awareness of autism and the challenges those on the spectrum face and features comments from AET Project Head Sarah-Jane Critchley and NAS Chief Executive Mark Lever.

Read more

AET responds to NICE clinical guideline consultation on ASDs

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is writing new clinical guidelines on recognition, referral and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders in children and young people, due to be published in September 2011. The AET has responded to the consultation giving professional advice and insight. Full details about ongoing development can be found here.

Read more

Calling all Autism Stars…

Help us celebrate the outstanding contribution of individuals in creating an autism friendly culture by nominating your Autism Star. We’d love to hear your story and learn more about the people making a difference to lives everyday. Make your nomination here.

Register now for a schools ‘The Den’ pack

Look out for ‘The Den’ information packs from the AET this spring. All secondary schools in England will be receiving an information pack containing a range of free resources for young people with autism. If you would like to receive a pack, please send your contact details to info@autismeducationtrust.org.uk with ‘The Den pack’ in the subject line.

Have Your Say

We are always keen to hear your thoughts and suggestions for the AET. Please visit the AET website and fill in the online form to tell us about your experiences of autism education. We want to hear from parents, young people with autism and professionals working in the autism education field.

Further Information

We hope you would like to continue receiving the AET e-newsletter. For any further information and feedback please contact us at

Autism Education Trust, 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG
T: 0207 903 3650
info@autismeducationtrust.org.uk
www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk

In This Edition

1. AET News

• AET awarded £1.2 million grant
• Autism supplement published in The Independent newspaper
• AET responds to NICE consultation on ASDs in children
• Calling all Autism Stars
• Register now for a schools ‘The Den’ pack

2. Other news

• BBC trials new web accessibility support tool
• SEN & Disability Green Paper Published
• Education Committee launches online forum to consult young people

3. New Resources

• TES Teaching Resources
• Sing up with ‘Crackers Maracas’

4. Events and Training

5. New Publications

• Download list

6. Have Your Say

7. Further information

Events and Training