Last year, Kisimul Group introduced Michael Hayden as the new Head of College at Calman Colaiste, its independent specialist college for young adults with autism, learning disabilities and complex needs.
A year on and under his stewardship the setting has undergone a complete transformation. It has established an overhauled curriculum for learners and is enjoying a rather fabulous facelift to boot…
A meaningful approach for young adults with autism and learning difficulties
Michael and his team have overseen the implementation of an innovative new curriculum for learners aged 19 to 25 at Calman Colaiste, which fully embraces Kisimul’s meaningful life model.
This ground-breaking concept focuses on helping people with learning disabilities and autism to uncover their unique gifts, develop their abilities within a therapeutic community, and move toward a more meaningful future – whatever that might look like for them.
How the meaningful life model works in practice
At Calman Colaiste, the meaningful life model is reflected in how timetables are shaped to allow students who learn differently to follow their interests and make their own decisions about what subjects they’d like to pursue.
It is also reflected in how targets are tailored to each learner, concentrating on equipping them with the skills and qualifications they need to achieve personal success.
Another way it is reflected is in the College’s shift of focus from classroom-based, tabletop learning to enterprise and vocational pursuits, with a heavy emphasis on getting outdoors and into nature at the on-site small holding.
The therapeutic team at the College reflects the meaningful life model, too. The therapists have moved further towards taking a relational approach to regulation, ensuring staff are in tune with learners’ needs…
