New resources to help teachers support children on the autism spectrum

The AET, England’s only umbrella organisation for autism education, is publishing two new online resources for teachers to support teaching practices for children and young people on the autism spectrum.

The first, which is available to download now, is a short and straightforward guide for teachers called Do you have a child with autism in your class? The guide gives practical steps for working effectively with the child and offers teachers some advice when trying to plan strategies to understand and manage behaviour and plan effective learning.

The second is a more detailed resource aimed at bringing together all the relevant information a teacher supporting a child or young person with autism might need. It will be an invaluable tool for teachers, support staff and other professionals working with pupils with autism. It will feature over 70 autism-specific tools and resources and will simplify some of the terminology surrounding autism. This resource will be available to download from mid-April.

Victoria Erbes, Consultant in the National Autistic Society Education Service and author of the new AET resources, said;

“We are often asked in the course of our work about the various strategies and resources available to aid and inform teaching practices for children and young people with autism. We therefore welcomed the opportunity offered by the Autism Education Trust to create a concise and comprehensive book giving details of all the different tools, strategies, resources and organisations available to help and support education professionals in the field of autism. We are sure this new resource will be of real benefit to teachers.”

An estimated one in 100 children is on the autism spectrum so it is essential that teachers, their support staff and wider education professionals have the tools and support to help all children and young people reach their full potential. The AET exists to highlight good practice and coordinate information and support for all education professionals working with children and young people on the autism spectrum in England.