Product Description

Based on their pioneering work at the King Ecgbert School, the authors explore the issues of access and inclusion in employment and education for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). They describe the challenges they faced in establishing and running an Integrated Resource for children with ASD, within a mainstream secondary school. The 28 pupils at The Resource participate in the regular school curriculum, but also learn a wide range of additional life skills. These include road safety, work-place skills and using public transport as well as expressing feelings, making choices and learning from experience. The innovative Post 16 provision of The Resource arranges work placements for its older pupils with employers such as Sainsbury's and Norwich Union and these projects reveal the encouraging possibilities within employment for young people with ASD. Throughout, the authors make useful practical suggestions for access and inclusion, showing how people with ASD can participate more fully in the world of work and the community.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #98187 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 247 pages

Communication, the Journal of the NAS
...essential reading for anyone concerned with access and inclusion for people with autism spectrum disorders.

About the Author
Matthew Hesmondhalgh worked in three special schools in South Yorkshire before becoming teacher in charge and project leader for The Resource at King Egbert School in 1995. Christina Breakey qualified and worked for ten years as a social worker. She has worked as a Further Education lecturer and a Special Support Assistant and is now the post 16 Support Co-ordinator for students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders at The Sheffield College.

Customer Reviews

essesntial reading
Matthew and Christine get to the heart of the issues surrounding autism and inclusion in a mainstream secondary school and college setting. Whilst not experts, it is clear they and their team have built considerable expertise in this vital area.
Their book is easy to read and easy to learn from. The respect they show to adolescents with autism is to be admired and imitated. The fact that their approaches are truely inclusive can only work for the benefit of children and teenagers with autism.

an aspie supporter
When I read this book a 'light came on in the end of my tunnel' because its so obvious. They say that they're not experts but theyve learnt from autie kids by watching and listening. Its made me think that everyone can do the same as they've done now and make things better for us auties and aspies. The kids are the most important thing - nothing about us without us.I wish school would ve been like this for me. Rock on.

an interested reader
I was very dissapointed with this book. I'd read the first book by Hesmondhalgh and Breakey and fouund it inspiring. This book contains nothing new and I feel reflects a poor knowledge on ASD by the author. It hasn't moved on.