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Some Heathermount pupils have failed in a mainstream environment, perhaps because of late diagnosis of their disability, and therefore have a sense of failure in addition to their autistic difficulties. They often have additional diagnoses such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Heathermount has a unique approach which it calls Connective Education, in which knowledge is integrated with learning that is relevant and connected to real life situations. There is also emphasis on stress management through relaxation techniques aimed at reducing the high levels of anxiety and frustration observed in many students.
The basis of Connective Education is to give pupils a clear sense of having a task with a beginning, middle and end. They have a 'day book' which lists the tasks to be done, where to do them, which member of staff will help, how they will know they have finished, and what the reward for finishing will be.
For the older students (age 14 - 19) the National Curriculum subjects are organised into skills that can lead to an NVQ qualification. So literacy and numeracy studies can be used to work for NVQ in Business Studies; history, geography and science can be grouped together and lead to an NVQ in horticulture, and 'domestic science' skills can lead to a catering qualification. The aim is to develop skills for independent living and work.
Stephanie went on to talk more about the physical effects of stress on young people with Aspergers or high functioning autism, and taught everyone a simple back massage which is practised at Heathermount to aid relaxation.
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1. Introduction; The change of focus to employability and the reasons behind it; NVQ's; Using Task Instruction Sheets;. Length 5 minutes 55 seconds.
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2. Connective Education; Working with the environment;. Length 4 minutes 8 seconds.
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3. Detailing the Difficulties 1: Research
Paper; High Prevalence of High Anxiety and Mood Problems; Sleep
Disturbance, Appetite Problems; Reduced Energy Levels; Increase in
Repetitive Questioning; Increase in Stereotypical Behaviours; High
incidence of Depressive Illnesses; Loss of Well Being; Fight and
Flight; Negativity; Routines and rituals; . Length 7 minutes 2 seconds.
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4. Detailing the Difficulties 2: Reduced
tolerance to heat, noise and crowds. Loss of control and
destructiveness; Anxiety levels and associated physiological problems;
Variance in Blood Sugar Levels; Increased pulse rate;. Length: 6 minutes 37 seconds.
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5. Detailing the Difficulties 3: Catotonic and agitated states; brain processing during stress; Length: 3 minutes 33 seconds.
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6. Breathing exercises; Encouraging Natural gestures; Length: 6 minutes 6 seconds.
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7. Strategies For Calming; Reflecting on the
emotion; Reassuring the person; Redirecting the person to the next
activity; Lots of praise; Length: 5 minutes 30 seconds.
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