Last Thursday (8th Nov 07), the Education Service from Fife Council gave Fife Action on Autism an update on their progress through the year, as well as an interesting look forward to some exciting new developments for 2008! Ken Keighren, Isobel Taylor, and Anne MacDonald all gave thoroughly interesting presentations. Ken covered off the hot topic of “exclusions”, which had been raised at the last Education Service meeting. He detailed the legal position that Fife Council applies, as well as explaining that the maximum time for exclusion for a child is 10 days and that they cannot be permanently excluded.
Ken informed us that from some point next year, Fife Council will update its terminology regarding Autism. It will start to become referred to as A.S.C. (Autistic Spectrum Condition), as opposed to A.S.D. (Autistic Spectrum Disorder). This follows on from guidelines from the working party set up by the Scottish Government regarding autism. While this is welcomed by Fife Action on Autism, we reminded Ken not just use this as an acronym change for changes sake!
Ken also covered off some parents questions relating to Pupil Support Assistants (a.k.a Auxiliary), and how the Education Service is sharing its best practice throughout the County.
Isobel, from the ASIST team, gave a brief update on the training now being offered in a more flexible status, with it either all at one go, or broken into smaller sessions to suit the individuals. Isobel also touched on the revising and updating of the Guidelines on Autism which is currently out for consultation with a select group. The final version is due to be published in early 2008. The ASIST team is also currently working with the Fife Constabulary Scheme, by training police probationers via an ASD Working Group. And to keep her team on its toes, NAS (National Autistic Society) are doing their Annual accreditation review in early January!!
The last presentation of the night by Anne MacDonald showed some of the developments that are coming to fruition for 2008. Anne works as part of the ICT team, and has been working on developing a full package for using Information Technology to help teach autistic children. Anne explained that quite often, this is a key area where autistic children really can excel amongst their peers, and also helps form the friendships that perhaps might have been more difficult otherwise. Anne went through the pack contents, which is split into four sections. Part One is an info section about autism and how pupils are supported, while Parts Two – Four are all about the ICT. Part Two covers the triad areas used in diagnosis, but Anne has also added Motor Control Difficulties and Sensory Issues as two extra areas. Part Three then matches ICT to the Individual Difficulty Areas so it is specific to that pupil. Part Four is where all the information lists and references, websites are documented. Anne explained this is currently out for evaluation amongst her colleagues, and other professionals for feedback and revision. Plan to launch at a Support Development Day in late Jan/early Feb 2008. Anne made an invitation to all the parents at the meeting to attend ASDARC on the last Wednesday of the month, from 5-7pm. This would be able to demonstrate the ICT working in the classroom environment for parents to see, interact with and ask questions. Please pop along, but remember to phone before hand to check availability!
Thanks to the Education Service for another excellent night, and we look forward to seeing you again in Spring 2008.
