Approach

What is our approach to teaching children with autism?

We have developed our own unique approach to teaching and learning which is used across all of our schools.

Designed specifically for children and young people on the autistic spectrum ‘The Eagle House Approach’ is based on a combination of best practice, experience, and innovation. The Eagle House Approach, encompassing ‘the little group Approach’ provides a learning and social curriculum that is:

• Communication based
• Sensory based
• Visually supportive
• Practical, functional and meaningful
• Intrinsically motivated and fun

What does the Eagle House Approach comprise of?

The Approach has four main elements that take into account best practice and current autism research.

• The Physical Environment – We aim to provide an autism specific environment that is calm, organised, and distraction free whilst at the same time remains welcoming and non-sterile. Our classrooms are structured and have distinct learning, play and quiet areas helping our children to understand what is expected and what is going to happen next. Our aim is to bring as much certainty and clarity as we can so that we can reduce anxiety and increase our children’s ability to learn.
• The Symbolic Environment – We make use of symbols, photographs, and objects of reference to provide visual support throughout our schools in order to:
  • to support the students’ communication and
  • to support the students’ understanding
• The Sensory Environment - We aim to provide an environment which takes account of the students’ individual sensory needs and sensitivities. We understand that children and young people with autism are often bombarded by sensory input and we aim to provide and environment that is low arousal which also provides areas for quiet time.
• The Social Environment - Eagle House staff aim to create an environment which maximises opportunities for communication and where the student is regarded as a communicative partner at all times.

Our Personalised Learning Approach

We feel that it is vital to know everything about each student and to create a personalised learning programme rather than a general one size fits all approach.

The Eagle House Approach adopts an eclectic 'best practice portfolio' approach to intervention which is underpinned by an in depth knowledge of:

• Autistic spectrum disorders and the distinct way of thinking (known as the cognitive style) which characterises them
• The individual
• Latest thinking, practices and research
• Learning theory - what we know about how we learn

Within our provision we make use of a number of approaches and strategies including:

• TEACCH
• SPELL
• Intensive Interaction
• Visual support
• PECS (Picture Exchange Communication Systems) & Word Exchange Communication Systems
• Communication books
• Makaton/signing/natural gesture
• Sensory diet/Alert programmes
• Conditioned relaxation
• Music therapy & musical delivery
• 'the little group' approach
• Social Stories
• Comic and cartoon scripts
• Drama
• Non-directive Communication Therapy/Commenting
• Physical exercise

Use of these interventions focuses on an individual or group basis as deemed appropriate.