nellie Report post Posted April 26, 2006 I would really appreciate some feedback on what makes a good secondary resource/unit. Can anyone give me any examples of good practice or signpost me to information on the subject? Nellie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted April 26, 2006 Hi Nellie my son is due to start at a high school resource unit in sept.As yet we have no direct experience , but I can tell you some of the things I have discovered that will be of benefit to him.They meet the children at the front of school help them sort out their books for the day then take them to their form group.They have a seperate room where the kids can eat,keep their belongings and books and spend dinner and free time in.They use walkie talkie,s to alert one another of problems .The staff ratio is 1;3.They can disapply a child from a subject and make up a time table that suits the child.They use visual aids ,do a sensory profile before startig school.The lady that runs the unit my son will go to is one of the most knowledgeable people on ASD I have met. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted April 27, 2006 Com's school is opening one on May 8th - don't know if it will be any good yet though there is an excellent one in sheffield called 'the resource' - I don't know the web address but there's also a book about it by Matthew Hesmondhalgh and Christine Breakey Z Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nellie Report post Posted April 27, 2006 Thanks for the input, much appreciated. Suze, It sounds like your son is on to a winner. I bet you can't wait for September. Zemanski, You will be an expert on units in no time and hopefully be able to give me lots of information, eh? I've had the book you mentioned for some time. It's Access and Inclusion for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. 'Let Me In'. So far I've only dipped in and out but hope to find the time to read it soon. Nellie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kazzen161 Report post Posted April 27, 2006 The good one I saw also : went through each child's timetable each morning, and told them about any changes (eg: in staff), got right books sorted, made sure homework in file (separate file for each subject), the children changed for PE in the Unit, they took them out of some lessons for social skills classes, children finished day in Unit, so they could check they had home/scool book, etc they ran a homework club, so children coudl do homework in school and get appropriate help with it, helped them join in after school clubs if they wanted to. Karen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted April 27, 2006 Com isn't actually eligible for the unit - kids already in mainstream are too old, they are taking Y7 and building up, and the unit is not for AS until it reopens in 2008 (probaly2012 ) The unit is currently in the old caretakers house but will move to a purpose built part of the school eventually and will be modelled on the resource. At that point it will be opened to the AS kids in mainstream. Because of com's problems he is going to be allowed to use the building with his mainstream based LSAs as a sanctuary but that is just about all. The teacher running it seems very nice and understanding but isn't all that experienced yet (she will be soon ), the whole project is being over-seen by my advisor friend and I've actually had quite a bit of input, like suggesting they carpet it so that they can play at low level and so that sound is muted Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nellie Report post Posted April 27, 2006 Karen, Many thanks for your suggestions, very helpful. Zemanski, Sorry, I misunderstood, although this sounds like a great opportunity for you to be creative. I look forward to reading the progress report. Anyone else got any thoughts of a suitable environment, staffing, strategies etc. I would also be interested in bad practices, nothing like learning from the failure of others. PLEASE don't mention names or places, I don't want Phasmod on my back!! Nellie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kazzen161 Report post Posted April 28, 2006 I was told the one failure at the Unit was because the LEA decided the child should go there, even though the Unit thought it would not be enough for him - so careful consideration of the children they take, and being realistic - it will not be suitable for every child with asd. Karen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted April 29, 2006 We've had this problem too and I actually supported a parent against sending her son to the unit - the LEA had allocated him to it and, even if it had been ready it was unlikely he would have managed, but also his primary special school was closing so he would have been school-less from last July till the week after next How stupid can these people be? needless to say, a letter pointing out the problem took them by complete surprise but got the result pretty smartish Z Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elenes Report post Posted April 29, 2006 Sorry to interrupt, but are the units attached to mainstream secondary's again only accessible to a child with a statement? There is one fairly near us and I am thinking towards the future! Elenes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted April 30, 2006 There is a unit in a school about a half hour drive from where I live. I wanted William to go there, but he doesn't have a statement and I was told without a statement he wouldn't have access to the unit. He does have outreach support from the unit. I have spoke to someone whose child goes there and she told me it was excellent. Lauren Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kazzen161 Report post Posted April 30, 2006 For all the Units I know (MLD,ASD, SpLD, ICAN), the child needs to have a statement. Karen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted May 11, 2006 Hi Nellie I went to see the unit yesterday. It is lovely, a really calm, homely space (called the House as it was originally the caretaker's house), it has a kitchen, classroom, chill out room, computer room and second teaching space plus (and I loved this) a cupboard under the stairs, just right for hiding in . All carpeted - Com took his shoes off to test the textures and had the staff joining in - daylight dimmable bulbs, blinds to cut glare, it's own bit of garden, etc the team seem great and very welcoming, they talked about Com using the chill out and possibly eating with them - he has serious dining room issues and is currently eating on his own. Com loves it, I think he will probably just lay claim and they won't have any option but to bring him into the unit, I can see him spending a lot of his time there. For him the best thing is it's the coolest place in the school - the staff were in jumpers but the boys were happy in shirt sleeves and they intend to keep it that way The only thing is to see how they manage the integration with the main school, they intend to take it very gently from what they were saying. Zemanski Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PinkSapphireAngel Report post Posted May 11, 2006 I am hopiefully visiting a mainstream secondary school with an attached ASD unit (only an option if Luke's assessment he's having now results in the statement of course) next Friday (19th May) I am a bit unsure as I know the schoolitself is in a really rough area and does not have the best reputation himself, but of course if Luke was to be in the unit and if its anything like those you are describing it would be different. I visited a special school yesterday so am looking at both options for this September (yep he still has no place at this stage) Any school he goes to he will need safe transport to get to and from it (I am leaning to drive and also have 2 younger sons to get to primary school and Luke can not get buses etc or walk to school alone) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted May 11, 2006 Just a few good things from my son's special school for AS... Break time: they can do what they like, even go back to their rooms to 'chill' if they want to. Homework: all work is finished during the school day, with 20 mins at the end to finish anything off. So no homework!! Discipline/Sanctions: any problems are sorted out that day, with nothing 'held over' to another day. Pencil cases, etc: all the equipment needed in class is supplied by the school and kept in the classroom. So no pencil cases to get lost! Each pupil has their own work station, with a PC. These are seperated from their neighbours by little divisions, and face the wall so there is a minimum of distractions. Their timetables, etc, are pinned up on the walls of their work station. The pupils come together round a table in the middle of the room for group work. School uniform: just polo shirts and sweatshirts with the school badge....no ties or blazers. Hope there are some useful ideas here... Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nellie Report post Posted May 12, 2006 Thanks guys - much appreciated. Zemanski, You must be really chuffed about the unit, it sounds brilliant!! A cupboard under the stairs, every school should have one, or even two!!! I think we will add that to the list along with appropriate lighting, carpets, blinds, garden, choice of no shoes, work stations with side panels, equipment provided and................more suggestions please. Anyone know what appropriate lighting would consist of? Nellie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kazzen161 Report post Posted May 12, 2006 I have a feeling I've seen a book advertised - written about making buildings suitable for asd children/people. Maybe advertised in the NAS Magazine? Karen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted May 12, 2006 Hi Nellie, Re appropriate lighting in schools - see this interesting discussion from a short while ago. http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=7477 K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted May 21, 2006 An update, Nellie Com expected to be able to access the unit on Monday but was told it wasn't organised yet he finally visited on Thursday, I think, and met the 5 Y7s who have just started. Apparently one of them is struggling to settle and kicked off big time because Com visited so he no longer has access (for the time being) - we know the boys in the unit come first but it leaves Com with nothing again We were relying on this, Com is so unstable in mainstream and has recently developed OCD symptoms (self-harming, unfortunately) and we were hoping the sanctuary of the unit would really help him. He will not be in school next week, I'm taking him to the GP to get him signed off again. Zemanski Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barefoot wend Report post Posted May 21, 2006 Zemanski Really sorry to hear this - seems very unfair on Com and you, as you've given them so much valuable input. Hope things improve. Barefoot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
annie Report post Posted May 21, 2006 <'> Zemanski <'> I'm so sorry to hear your news . I hope everything starts to move in the right direction very soon. Annie xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted May 21, 2006 Just one of those things, nothing we can really do about it, it's not the fault of the unit at all (it was the school that mucked up the organisation), they are doing exactly the right thing for their child who is struggling and are willing to welcome Com at a later date, unfortunately Com can't hang on any longer. So far I have no criticism of the unit and it's staff, they definitely have the right mindset. Zemanski Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nellie Report post Posted May 21, 2006 Zemanski, Thanks for the update. I'm so sorry to hear of this setback. I hope things get back on track soon and that Com copes with the change. Nellie <'> <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted May 22, 2006 Com is signed off sick indefinitely, the LEA specialist is supportive, Com is VERY pleased and sat cuddling the kitten all day - something he usually can't tolerate Z Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barefoot wend Report post Posted May 22, 2006 Zemanski Pleased to hear Com is happy. Hope things get sorted soon. Don't mention kittens too near us - am under pressure to succumb but think the dog might think otherwise. Barefoot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted May 22, 2006 don't know how I missed this, I must be blind! z you must have been really disappointed at com's lack of access to the unit. Hope you find a placement that will suit him. Lauren Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted May 22, 2006 hi zem........bit of a stupid question, but why can,t you try to get the provision changed on coms statement and have this new unit named as the best placement........(do you get my drift??)......... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted May 22, 2006 The unit is only for Y7 this year building up to full capacity in 5 years time so Com is too old. Also the unit is for autistic kids and Com has AS The unit is very small at the moment because it is in a temporary building, when the school is rebuilt, opening in 2008 (or possibly 2012 ), there will be a purpose built ASC unit for both autistic and AS kids and with suffient space to also offer a haven to all the mainstream AS kids in the school at that time. It's just unfortunate that Com needs it now The LEA won't budge on this, we have tried and a tribunal would probably support the LEA if we tried to get it named because it is not resourced for a child like Com and all 5 places are filled for this year and 6 for next year which takes the current building to it's physical limit. We have other options we're working on, we just need to see how it pans out over the next few weeks Zemanski Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted May 23, 2006 ..........crikey zem.............. <'> ............has,nt really gone your way has it .I hope com recovers while he has his time out.Fingers-crossed........whatever it is in the pipeline turns out to be a winner. <'> Suzex. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zemanski Report post Posted May 23, 2006 IPSEA thinks our options are good Z Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
