Mission Statement
Our aim in The Meadow is to guide
and nurture each individual child, to
adapt our teaching to suit their needs,
to help them grow and develop as
individuals, to help them access
learning in the way which is most
suited to them, and to make their
school experience a happy and
contented one.
The Meadow
The Meadow preschool/junior class for children with Autism has its focus
on the triad of impairments together with sensory issues. The preschool
children range from 3 to 6 years and the children in the junior class range
from 7 to 10 years.
The school opened its doors on the 3rd of October 2011.
In the Meadow we understand that Autism affects the child’s ability to
communicate and to understand social interaction therefore we look to
create situations where the chid can learn in a non- threatening and gentle
way. We understand that the child needs help and encouragement to
engage with others and this is our focus in the Meadow. We also
understand that in order to teach a child with Autism we must be patient
and allow the child time to get to know us and for us to get to know them.
This time is valuable for both teacher and child as it becomes an
observation phase which is vital.
Many of the children in the Senior Class have come from our mainstream
school and they continue to have a successful integration programme
which allows them to enjoy many subjects with a mainstream class but to
also have quiet time in the Meadow when required.
We aim to give the children who attend the Meadow, the skills to help
them to integrate into mainstream school and with that in mind, we are
constantly looking for opportunities for shared attention and social
interaction. Every moment of the day is a teaching opportunity; we use
typical occurrences in the classroom as an opportunity to encourage social
interaction.
Aims
To develop independence within the areas of social interaction,
language communication and to teach appropriate play through
modelling and structured play with adults and children.
To teach social and emotional reciprocity and joint attention through
structured and unstructured play.
To provide and appropriate educational setting which is inclusive
and individual.
To develop a collaborative process of devising individual educational
plans with parents and all professional involved.
To create opportunities to teach co-operative, collaborative and
independent play with our goal to teach the skills necessary to be a
part of a mainstream setting.
To teach language skills through nursery rhymes and songs,
scaffolded by augmentative communication to include, làmh and
PECS. We will provide pictorial choice boards and timetables.
To promote personal independence and will work with parents to
toilet train the children and to encourage self dressing and eating.
To implement a curriculum based on the Aistear curriculum together
with the guidelines for children with general learning disabilities, the
primary school curriculum and the child’s individual needs.
To teach appropriate behaviour and to implement behavioural plans
where necessary.
To foster a supportive school atmosphere for parents and help them
to access a network of other parents of children with autism
To recognise the importance of ongoing professional development
for both teachers and SNAs and to encourage sharing of opinions,
observations and skills.
The Curriculum For The Meadow
Training and Qualifications
We are currently working with the SESS to up skill all teachers working in
the meadow and teachers who are integrating children into their
classroom. We have Autism specific qualifications, in TEACCH, ABA, PECS,
Floortime, Hanen, Understanding Autism, and General Learning
Disabilities.
We provide in-house up skilling and share knowledge with other teachers
and SNAs. We invite experts in the field to give advice and talks to the team
where necessary.
We consult with teachers who are working with children with autism in
other schools. We visit schools with special classes and exchange resources
and ideas.