Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and relates to people around them. Children and adults with autism are unable to relate to others in a meaningful way. People with autism can often have accompanying learning disabilities. There is also a condition called Asperger syndrome, a form of autism used to describe people at the higher functioning end of the autistic spectrum. Reality to an autistic person is a confusing, interacting mass of events, people, places, sounds and sights.
The National Autistic Society aims to raise awareness of this bewildering condition. It runs a range of courses and one-, two- and three-day workshops and conferences suitable for childcare professionals at various locations. These include:
- TEACCH in a home setting, a one-day workshop in Nottingham on 2 October. Although the workshop is aimed at parents, professionals and practitioners are also welcome.
- TEACCH structured teaching model: Basic concepts, a three-day workshop in Nottingham from 3 to 5 October. The Society also provides in-house teaching, tailored to meets the needs of an organisation and has a consultancy service which is available to local authorities and other providers. Both training and consultancy can also be provided overseas. Contact Agnieshka Warchol, National Autistic Society Training Services Department, Fourth floor, Castle Heights, 72 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham NG1 6BJ
(0115 911 3363, fax 0115 911 3362, e-mail training@nas.org.uk , website www.oneworld.org/autism_uk ).
The National Autistic Society also has an Education Advocacy Line and Tribunal Support Scheme. Both are run by volunteers who provide telephone advice and advocacy from their own homes. The former provides information and advice on special educational needs, including school-based stages, statutory assessments, statementing, annual reviews and transferring local authorities, while the latter gives advice, information and support for parents wanting to challenge their local education authority's decision about their child's education. This preparation support is backed up, where appropriate, by representation from city law firm Clifford Chance.
For more information contact the Advocacy Service on 020 7903 3760.
