The Autism and Social Communication (A/SC) Outreach Service is part of the Education Outreach Service and we work to promote inclusion and improve outcomes for children and young people across Shetland.
The A/SC Service works in partnership with parents and other professionals to make sure the needs of A/SC children are met.
The service aims to promote understanding of autism and social communication and suggest strategies that enable young people with autism to achieve their highest potential. Supporting children and young people from ages 5-19.
We provide:
- assessment support, gathering information from an educational perspective, as part of the Autism diagnostic pathway
- support and signposting for parents immediately after their child's diagnosis
- A/SC courses for parents of newly diagnosed children and young people when available
- advice and support for teachers and other staff to develop approaches to help children with A/SC to achieve their potential
- advice and support for A/SC pupils and their peers around self-awareness and inclusion
- A/SC awareness training for class teachers, ancillary staff and pupils
- advice regarding resources to develop children and young people's social communication, emotional skills and self-regulation
- advice with regard to exam arrangements
- advice during transition times
- links with other agencies
Requests for involvement can come from paeditricians, Social Work, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, schools and parents.