SPELL FRAMEWORK

The Spell framework is used throughout all National Autistic Society schools and adult units. The framework addresses the individual needs of a person with autism so that they have a strong element of continuity and order in his or her life.

Structure helps to remove or reduce the threat of unexpected or unpredictable events, to make the environment less hostile and more conducive to learning. Structure is a powerful means of reducing anxiety, often a most significant disabling feature of autism, and of aiding effective communication. It helps the individual make sense of a confusing world.

Positive attitudes and appropriate expectations ensure that we provide an encouraging, enabling environment, where strengths are identified and built upon to enhance self-confidence and self-esteem. Education programmes are designed to include small changes which avoid rigidity and increase personal autonomy.

Seeing the world from the individual's unique viewpoint, and aiming to understand their perceptions demands Empathy. It involves an understanding of individual interest, preferences, motivators, phobias and idiosyncrasies, and is about attempting to share in the autistic experience. It is a crucial skill for supporters to develop.

Low arousal approaches seek to ensure that the living and learning environment is free of aversive, distracting or other undesired stimuli, allowing opportunities for relaxation and relief in tension. A calm, focussed approach maximises learning opportunities and helps to reduce anxiety. While our style is essentially non-confrontational, through supported rehearsal, individuals are encouraged to try new potentially aversive experiences in order to improve flexibility and aid development or independence.

It is vital that we build effective Links with families, schools and other service providers. In order to maximize the opportunities for inclusion in mainstream society we ensure high levels of consistency of approach

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