PAATHS means Providing Approaches to Autism for Teachers in Hampshire Schools: About PAATHS
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About the PAATHS course: Quote:
Hampshire Education Authority has had the development of provision for children on the autistic spectrum, as a high priority for a number of yeas. Initiatives have included the establishment of resourced places in MLD/SLD schools in each area and the training of teachers, educational psychologists and inspectors in the TEACCH approach
For five years the county engaged the services of Dr Jack Wall from the University of North Carolina to train Hampshire personnel on the TEACCH programme. Over 125 people have benefitted from this training and five teachers have obtained independent trainer status which allows them to deliver TEACCH training.
A number of teachers have also attended the Birmingham distance course on autism and obtained post graduate diplomas.
Since the training programme began in 1991, there have been many changes within education, in particular the influence of the National Curriculum and the implementation of the Code of Practice. There has also been increasing awareness that there is a range of approaches which may be helpful or appropriate in the management of children on the autistic spectrum.
The development of this extended course was prompted by these considerations and by the comments from TEACCH course participants about their need to develop a greater understanding of autism. A model imported from the USA cannot be expected to address issues which arise from the National Curriculum, Code of Practice, Individual Educaion Plans, working with other professionals in a collaborative way, or be entirely in tune with the sensitivities and needs of local parents and LEA priorities.
The extended course has now been delivered and evaluated by a team of teachers, an educational psychologist and SEN inspectors, all of whom had undergone the five-day TEACCH training and have ongoing involvement with pupils and students with autistic spectrum difficulties
Copyright(c) 2004 Ted Gallagher. All rights reserved.