Type of service: Assessment, Day schools, Nursery and pre-schools, Outreach - education, Schools

The name of the designated unit for pupils with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the Autism and Behavioural Support Service (ABSS). The ABSS works within Brookfields School to give advise, support and train staff in autism. We use approaches based on Intensive Interaction, visual supported learning and a total communication approach. We also use REACh (Relationship Education for the Autistic Child). It is based on the original work by Dr Rick Solomon called ‘Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters’ and ‘Developmental Individual Difference Relationship Approach’ (DIR Floortime) by Dr Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder in the 1990s. Parents from Brookfields and the wider area are able to access the Joint Health and Behaviour Clinics to get advice on sleeping, eating, toileting and behaviour problems at home. The school also offers support in the home through our Autism Support Worker and Family Support Worker. The pupils are mostly educated in mixed ability groups; some classes have an autism specific approach with a focus on the development of communication and social interaction. The school caters for all disabilities of pupils who have additional leaning needs. There is also a Sensory Resource Base in the school.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Learning disability