More support ‘needed’ for children with learning difficulties November 13, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Additional Support, Autism, SFL, inclusion , add a commentHolyrood reports that according to a new study Scottish children with learning difficulties are not receiving an appropriate level of educational care and support.
The study by charity Mindroom estimates that nearly a fifth of Scottish school children have a recognised learning difficulty. This would put the figure at around 120,000 affected pupils, much higher than the official figure of 30,000 children receiving learning support.
Mindroom believes that many children are suffering from a lack of expert supervision, particularly if they have disorders on the autistic spectrum. As part of a proposed package of reforms, the charity is calling for greater training for staff and more investment in learning difficulties research.
Improving support for autism sufferers March 6, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Autism , add a commenthttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/03/05135701The Scottish Government announces that First Minister Alex Salmond has visited the New Struan School - a Centre for Autism in Alloa.
Welcoming the work of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership, which draws together national autism charities of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the First Minister said sharing information and skills would improve services across nations. The aim of Celtic Nations Autism Partnership, a partnership of Autism Northern Ireland, Autism Cymru, the Scottish Society for Autism and the Irish Society for Autism, is to establish an alliance of interested parties to work with Government.
The New Struan School, run by the Scottish Society for Autism, is designed to provide a positive, caring environment that promotes the development of pupils. Pupils have access to speech, drama, music and dance therapy services and enjoy the use of a specially designed playroom and heated swimming pool.
Situated on the Bradbury Campus, on the outskirts of Alloa, the New Struan School - a Centre for Autism was opened in September 2005 following a £5 million fundraising initiative. An architect with family experience of autism, who understood the nuances that can affect children with this condition, designed it. As a result the School includes a number of specific features, such as indirect, although natural, lighting, wide corridors, a specific use of colour and purpose-built classrooms.
The Scottish Society for Autism (SSA) is an independent Scottish charity and is now the leading provider of services for persons of all ages living with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Scotland.
Cash boost to help train autism care staff March 6, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Autism , add a commenthttp://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/news/display.var.2096788.0.Cash_boost_to_help_train_autism_care_staff.phpThe Herald reports that First Minister Alex Salmond yesterday announced an extra £300,000 for training staff working with autism sufferers.
The money has been awarded to the Scottish Society for Autism (SSA) and will allow the society’s staff to benefit from specific training modules on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A report found that more than half of adults with the condition do not have enough support to meet their needs.
Dogs trained to aid autistic kids February 29, 2008
Posted by Hilery Williams in : Autism , 1 comment so far http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7269727.stm
BBC Scotland reports that it is estimated that more than 72,000 children aged between three and 10 have autism in the UK. Now a campaign has been launched to raise £1m to provide specially trained dogs to help youngsters with the condition.
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