Advice on choosing an autism school or college
Parents are in a difficult position when it comes to choosing an autism school or college. If you’re a parent and are looking for the right provision for your son or daughter, try asking the questions below when you visit potential placements: it should help you decide.
Write down whatever answers you’re given, even if you’re not sure you understand. Do further research about anything you’re unsure of, and don’t be afraid to call back for clarification.
Questions to ask: teacher training
- What level of autism specialist training do the classroom teachers who will work with my child have?
- What level of autism specialist training do support staff have?
- If teaching or support staff do not have specialist training, what access do they have to autism specialist staff such as an autism unit or LEA communication team?
- What autism training support and options are available to staff?
- Which manual handling programme have they used for training staff? Do all relevant staff have a certificate from this programme?
Questions to ask: teaching and assessment methods
If you are able to visit during a teaching session, make your own observations as well.
- How large are the classes my child is likely to be in?
- What is the classroom staff-to-student ratio?
- Do teachers or teaching assistants differentiate tasks for students with SEN?
- Which assessment methods do you use to judge student progress?
- Are there any special assessment methods or adjustments used for children with autism/SEN?
- Which teaching methods do you use? Why do you feel these are helpful?
- Do you use any specialist teaching methods developed for children with autism (such as TEACCH, ABA or Pivotal Response Treatment)? Why do you feel these are helpful?
- What happens if a child is making no or slow progress in a particular area?
- For secondary provision: what methods do you use to prepare students for further education and/or work (such as work experience)?
- For secondary provision: what options will be open to my child in terms of standard or alternative qualifications?
- For secondary provision: what are the destinations of children who complete their education at your school (further education, higher education, work, or…?) How do you know?
When choosing an autism school or college, also ask about:
- What extra-curricular activities will be available to my child?
- What support will be available to help him or her access these?
- How does the school handle bullying?
- What steps does the school take to support the social and emotional development of children with autism?
- What communication methods are used to inform and involve parents?
- Does the school offer any special non-classroom programmes for parents or siblings of SEN children?
Environment
When you visit a possible school for the first time, try to put yourself in your child’s shoes. Knowing how he or she experiences environments, have a critical look at what the physical space and emotional climate might feel like.
- Is the classroom orderly and tidy?
- What are the levels of noise, smell and activity like?
- Do you notice anything else that your child is likely to find distracting?
- Can you see schedules for individual children and the class (task, daily, weekly)?
- Do you see evidence of children’s achievements and successes?
- Is it easy for you to spot areas for specific activities and where materials needed for activities can be found?
- Is there evidence of thought about classroom design: quiet spaces, study areas, group work areas?
- What other spaces will your child access (lunchroom, gym, toilets, play areas, autism unit) and what are they like?
