All About Autism: A Practical Guide for Secondary Teachers

All About Autism is an accessible and informative guide for secondary school teachers, designed to increase their knowledge and understanding of autism and enhance their toolkit with practical, adaptable strategies to support autistic learners in their care. The book initially explores key traits and terminology, debunks myths and misconceptions, and shines a light on the strengths and abilities of autistic learners. It then introduces readers to a range of easy-to-implement ideas for practice and concrete solutions to provide further support, all with the child at the heart. All About Autism includes: - Practical strategies tailored to the secondary key stages with current research broken down into easily digestible chunks - A focus on adaptive teaching and how to implement key strategies in different subject areas - Guidance on a range of topics, from supporting students with mental health and anxiety to managing group work, class work, writing difficulties, homework and exams - Strategies to support an understanding of puberty, relationships and sex education - Approaches to foster autistic pride and to promote positive attitudes to diversity in all its forms - Easy to dip in and out of chapters with signposting to further research, resources and support Taking a celebratory approach, the guide focuses on difference rather than deficit and weaves together the voices of autistic learners and parents alongside practical examples of what high-quality and adapted teaching should look like. It will be essential reading for all secondary school educators, SENCOs and parents who are supporting autistic learners aged 11-16.

Lynn McCann has been a teacher for 32 years and in that time has worked as a mainstream teacher, SENCO and for eight years was a class and outreach teacher in an autism specialist school. She set up Reachout ASC in 2014 after realising that there was a great need for good, practical, specialist support in mainstream schools. It is an independent service that specialises in autism, ADHD and PDA support, with children's voices at the heart of all they do.

Forward Acknowledgements Introduction What we know about autism Co-occurring conditions Language is important Part 1 How I do things differently - The voice of autistic children - Communication - Stimming - Social interaction - Masking and 'spoon theory' - The autistic sensory experience Part 2 Teaching autistic children: practical strategies - Getting it right from the start - Year 7s (11-12 years old) - Rules, expectations and discipline - Working with parents - Quick wins for teaching autistic children - Communicate with your school SENCO - Using teaching assistants well - More about learning - Executive Functions and autism - Teaching vocabulary - Explaining concepts and links - Marking and feedback - Group work - Homework - Revision, tests and exams - Behaviour and mental health - Setting the scene - What is fair to allow - Honesty and arguments - Meltdowns and shutdowns - Managing spoons or energy levels - Teaching responsibility - Puberty and Identity - Relationships and Sex Education lessons - Misinterpretation, or literal interpretation - Sensory Changes - Personal Hygiene and appearance - Peer Pressure - Autistic Identity - Gender and sexuality - Risk taking and problem solving - Bullying and online activity - Transitions - Starting secondary school - Daily transitions - Post 16 transitions Part 3 Further resources and links Bibliography Index