Abstract

Raising awareness and understanding of autism has school-wide benefits, such as helping to improve the attitudes of pupils and staff and allowing children with autism to thrive socially, emotionally and educationally alongside their peers. This comprehensive resource provides a whole school programme for raising autism awareness and promoting inclusion.

It includes training for staff in the knowledge and skills they need to support pupils, a sample school assembly, and lesson plans for teaching groups of pupils to be 'autism champions'. This programme also offers photocopiable worksheets and online presentations to use as part of the staff training, school assembly and peer awareness lessons. There is advice for involving children with autism and their parents in school activities. Easily adaptable for different age groups, this is a ready-made resource for schools committed to promoting autism awareness and whole school welfare.

This excellent resource book fills an enormous gap. Including a scripted assembly and five detailed lesson plans, young people can be effectively coached to actively support their ASC peers. I strongly recommend it to all schools.
Ros Huntley B.Ed., M.Ed., ASC Senior Specialist Teacher, Essex South
This book is easy to use, and ideal for busy education professionals who want to raise whole school awareness of autism without intimidating anyone. The materials for staff and pupils are clear and well-structured, and would help any school to establish a culture of championing autism.
Sarah Wild, Headteacher, Limpsfield Grange School
With all teachers now expected to be teachers of SEND and SENCOs driving the development of a more inclusive universal provision, these ready-made resources offer a cost-effective and valuable addition to any school development programme.
Saira Pester
Special Children
Joy Beaney is an experienced teacher and autism specialist based in the UK. In the course of her career she has run a facility for children with autism attached to a mainstream primary school, been Assistant Head at a special school, manager of an Inclusion Support Service that provided training and outreach support for staff in mainstream schools. She is also a lecturer for a postgraduate certificate course in Autism.
The author's depth of experience shows in her ability to present a complex condition in such a clear and practical way. Schools will find it particularly helpful that the attractive materials are aimed separately at staff, primary pupils, or children who want to become Autism Champions.
Dr Rona Tutt OBE, Past President of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT)