AET Spring road shows
02/03/09
Following the success of the first Autism Education Trust (AET) National Conference, held in Westminster on 26 February, the AET is running a series of ‘road show’ events across England during March, April and May 2009. The six events will mirror the National Conference and in addition will address some of the more local issues in each area.
The one day conferences will bring together all those working in the autism education sector in the region, local authority representatives, health professionals, adults and young people with autism and their parents and carers to share experiences and good practice and learn more about the work of the AET. The events will deliver some of the results from recent AET research into autism education practices across England and show the keynote speech given by Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP at the AET National Conference in London. In addition, delegates will be asked to participate in seminar sessions and to contribute to the work of the AET through consultation meetings.
Bob Lowndes, Chair of the AET Steering Group, says;
“Education is one of the most important issues facing children and young people on the autism spectrum and their families across England. These events will be an opportunity for the AET to offer practical solutions for some of the main issues facing practitioners and providers of autism education. In addition, we are bringing together parents, carers and young people and adults on the autism spectrum to address some of the gaps in the current system and share the many examples of good practice that do exist.”
Autism Education Trust Regional Roadshow programme 2009:• Wed 11th March - Liverpool
• Tues 17th March - Carlisle
• Tues 21st April - Derby
• Thurs 23rd April - Norwich
• Tues 28th April - Southampton
• Thurs 7th May - Exeter
For full event details and to book tickets visit
www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk to download a booking form or contact T: 0115 9113367 F: 0115 9113362 E:
conference@nas.org.uk.
Parents are welcome to bring their children to the events and dedicated play workers will be in attendance to ensure they are entertained. However, places must be booked at registration.
The Autism Education Trust (AET) is England’s only umbrella organisation for autism education and is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Its work is currently supported by over 25 voluntary, statutory and community groups who contribute to the work of the AET through its Steering Group and Advisory Council membership.
To find out more about the work of the AET, visit
www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk or call 07795 667749.
ENDS
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Romany Simon: 07793 403107
Notes to Editors
Further information about the AET can be found at
www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk About the AETThe AET was launched in the Houses of Parliament in November 2007, and is dedicated to improving the educational experience of the estimated 106,000 children with autism in the UK. The AET believes that all children and young people with autism should receive an education which enables them to reach their individual potential to engage in society as active citizens (and that individuals, families and professionals are informed, supported and equipped to enable this to be achieved). For further information please visit www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk
Autism and Education: the facts• An estimated 1% of children and young people in England are on the autism spectrum.
• Over 47,000 pupils in state-funded schools who have significant special educational needs (SEN) (i.e. supported through a statement or at School Action Plus) in England have autism as their primary need. 70% of these pupils are in mainstream schools .
• Pupils with Statements of Special Educational Need (SEN) are over three times more likely to be permanently excluded from school than the rest of the school population. The 2006 National Autistic Society’s ‘make school make sense’ campaign found 1 in 5 children in the sample had been excluded from school (67% of these had been excluded more than once).
• 40% of children on the autism spectrum have been bullied and children on the autism spectrum are three times more likely to develop mental health problems than the rest of the population.
• Substantial public funds are invested in the education of children and young people on the autism spectrum. (The estimated annual cost of autism to the UK economy is £28 billion .) It is important that these funds are used wisely and have maximum impact. Policy makers and service commissioners require independent and good quality information and advice.