January 2011

Hello,

A very happy new year to you. The last few months of 2010 have been as eventful as ever here at the AET and we're going full steam in to 2011 so I hope this new look e-newsletter brings you up to date.

Hot off the press: the 2011 AET Training Events will be taking place around the country over the next few months, starting on 10th February in York. These are an excellent opportunity to learn new skills and share good practice so please book your place early to avoid disappointment. We have also developed the exciting new Autism Stars Awards for you to get involved in, so please help us to spread the word and celebrate the incredible work that individuals do to support children and young people on the autism spectrum. The Communication Trust's National Year of Communication - Hello kicks off this month too with activities and events running all year. January's theme is 'Hello. Don't take communication for granted' - find out more at www.hello.org.uk.

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

With best wishes for a fantastic start to 2011,

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 announces 2011 training events

The first leg of the 2011 series of AET Training Events (formerly AET Roadshows) has now been confirmed and three events will be taking place nationwide in February and March this year with a further three planned for April, May and June. You can book now for the York event, taking place on 10 February and register your interest for later events.

Read more

AET launches national Autism Stars awards

The AET has launched Autism Stars, a new national awards scheme to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution of individuals - in both professional and community environments - in creating an autism friendly culture. Do you know someone who does an exceptional job in supporting a child or young person with autism? We would love to hear your story and learn more about the people making a difference to lives every day.

Read more

New content for The Den

This month will see new and updated content added to The Den, an information hub for young people with autism (it is not a social networking site) on the AET website. The Den aims to address some of the questions, issues and worries that all young people face, but presents the information in ways that appeal to young people with autism, using visual content to communicate information and complement text.

Read more

AET website adds Widgit Point

Widgit Point is now available on the AET website, increasing the accessibility of our resources for users with autism. When a visitor's cursor hovers over a word, this new software offers a list of symbols that illustrate the possible meanings of the word, providing unparalleled support for symbol readers online. Widgit Point can be easily turned off or on at the bottom of each web page.

Read more

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 announces 2011 Training Events
- AET launches national Autism Stars awards
- New content for The Den
- AET website adds Widgit Point

2. Other SEN / education news

-The Communication Trust says Hello
-Green Paper consultation results published
-Government White Paper highlights SEN
-US study claims most promising test for autism yet
-Government launches consultation for Year 1 reading test
-RHS claims gardening helps meet SEN needs
-The Communication Trust Update on the Youth Justice Programme

3. New Resources

- Autism, Ethics and SocietyConference 2010. Programme now available

4. Events and Training

5. New Publications

- Download list

6. Have Your Say

7. Further information

Events and Training