At St John’s, we celebrate every child’s individuality and recognise that children with autism bring unique perspectives, talents and ways of seeing the world. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that affects how people communicate, interact and process information. Each person with autism is different. There is no single way of experiencing autism, and we focus on understanding and supporting each child as an individual.
Our approach is rooted in inclusion, understanding and respect.
In school, we:
Create predictable routines and use visual timetables to help children feel secure and understand what will happen next.
Provide quiet, low-stimulus spaces throughout our school for calm and regulation when needed.
Use clear, consistent language and visual supports to aid communication and understanding.
Plan learning that builds on children’s strengths, celebrating what motivates them.
Work closely with parents, carers and professionals to ensure support both at home and in school.
Offer targeted interventions when appropriate.
Our staff receive ongoing training through the PINS project, ensuring we continue to develop inclusive strategies and environments that allow autistic pupils to thrive.
If you would like to learn more about autism or support available locally, you may find the following useful:
We are always happy to talk about how we can best support your child. Please speak to your child’s class teacher or to our SENDCo if you would like to discuss autism support at St John’s.