Autism Spectrum and Further Education

Christine Breakey has worked with autistic people for over 20 years in the fields of social work and education and most recently in further education where she developed the Autism Specialist Support service at The Sheffield College. She now runs an independent support service which provides staff training, independent advocacy and social / life skills teaching. Christine is married with two grown-up daughters and is a qualified social worker and lecturer. She has a BA honours degree in Communication Studies and a Masters degree in Autism. Christine welcomes visits to her website (www.spectrumfirst.co.uk) where she can be contacted.

Christine Breakey provides useful guidelines and practical advice on teaching young adults successfully and confidently, emphasizing the development of resources and practical skills for use specifically in FE colleges. The author covers all the key areas and offers strategies and solutions for communicating effectively, helping students to manage transition, and understanding and minimising the cause of ASC behaviours as well as teaching social skills and ASC self-awareness. The Autism Spectrum and Further Education will be a vital resource for professionals in FR institutions who have to meet the needs of young adults with ASCs.

• Preface. Introduction. 1. Breaking Down Barriers. 2. Which Approach? Ideology, Theory and Practice. 3. Developing an Inclusive Specialist Team. 4. Maintaining an Effective Specialist Team. 5. Staff Training. 6. `Autistic Thinking' and the Need for Adjustments. 7. The `Hidden Curriculum'. 8. Individual Accounts. References. Index.