Minister for Schools will join AET at first National Conference
28/01/09
The Autism Education Trust (AET) is holding its first National Conference, ‘Sharing Good Practice’, at Central Hall in Westminster, London on Thursday 26th February 2009. Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Minister for Schools and Learning will deliver the keynote address about the Government’s ambitions for improving autism education provision across England through better collaboration and information sharing.
The one day conference will bring together all those working in the autism education sector, the schools workforce, 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.
Sarah McCarthy-Fry says;
"This Government has made significant progress over recent years to extend and improve autism services across the country. Through our work with the Autism Education Trust we are now able to better share good practice and work towards a more collaborative support system for children and young people on the autism spectrum and their parents and carers. I look forward to speaking at the AET event in February to talk about the Inclusion Development Programme resources we are currently developing and the next steps for the AET."
Further speakers at the event will include Dr Glenys Jones from the Autism Centre for Education and Research at the University of Birmingham. Dr Jones will discuss the recent research undertaken by her team on behalf of the AET which reviews current practice, issues and challenges facing professionals, parents and children and young people on the autism spectrum across England. Dean Beadle will open the afternoon session by sharing his experiences of education as a young person on the autism spectrum.
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. The AET conference, and our forthcoming programme of regional roadshows, will be an opportunity for the AET to offer practical solutions and advice 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.”
Places for this event are free but limited and must be booked in advance. For full conference details and to book tickets visit AET National Conference 2009 to download a booking form or contact T: 0115 9113367 F: 0115 9113362 E:
conference@nas.org.uk.
Following the National Conference, the AET is running a series of ‘Roadshow’ events across England during March, April and May. The six events will mirror the National Conference and in addition will address some of the more local issues in each area.
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,
click here or call 07795 667749.
ENDS
For a full National Conference programme including a list of seminars, or to book a place please contact:
Romany Simon: 07793 403107
Notes to Editors
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
About the AET
The 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
About the Inclusion Development Programme
In late autumn 2007, the National Strategies launched the Inclusion Development Programme (IDP). Over four years, the IDP will develop and deliver a programme of continuing professional development designed to strengthen the confidence and expertise of mainstream staff in early years settings and in primary and secondary schools in ensuring the progress and achievement of pupils with special educational needs.
In 2008, the IDP focused on dyslexia and speech, language and communication needs. In 2009, the focus will be on supporting pupils on the autism spectrum.
For more information on the IDP visit Inclusion Development Programme
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.