Provides guidance for schools and parents on how to make the transfer from primary to secondary as easy as possible for children with ASDs.
The transition from primary to secondary school is a time of great anxiety for most children. For children with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) this anxiety can be overwhelming. Fear of the unknown, difficulty coping with monumental changes and the inability to imagine a favourable outcome, can all combine to make this unavoidable step in school life a time of great fear and dread. This book provides guidance for schools and parents on how to make the transfer from primary to secondary as easy as possible for children with ASDs.
The book advocates the need for scrupulous preparation of transfer arrangements because children with ASDs struggle to predict the outcome of any new situation. No matter how much discussion has taken place, it is only when the situation has been experienced first hand that they will have a real understanding of it and be able to build up a 'real life memory bank' (RLMB).
The authors' advice aims to ensure that any preparations lead to a favourable outcome, in order to build a positive RLMB. The book outlines term by term preparation in the final years of primary school and includes photocopiable resources and a "Moving to Secondary School" booklet. As most children with ASDs are visual learners and think in pictures, the booklet uses symbols to aid understanding. "Making the Move" provides a wealth of effective strategies and resources that will encourage and inspire greater confidence for pupils with ASDs, parents and schools.
About the authors:
Kay Al-Ghani is a special educational needs teacher who has worked for more than 30 years in the field of education. She is currently a specialist teacher for inclusion support and is in the field of education. She is currently a specialist teacher for inclusion support and is involved with training professionals, students and parents in aspects if ASDs. As an author and a mother of a son with an ASD, she has spent the last 20 years researching the engine that is autism.
Lynda Kenward has over 30 years’ experience of working in special education. Now retired, her recent role as specialist teacher for inclusion support has motivated a particular interest in developing visual resources for children with ASDs.
Haitham Al-Ghani is 23 years of age. He was awarded a triple distinction in Multimedia Studies and was the 2007 winner of the Vincent Lines Award for Creative Excellence at Hastings College of Arts and Technology. Haitham is an author, cartoonist, animator and book illustrator.
