Person Centred Autism Teaching (P.C.A.T)
Individuals can all be different and belong fully within an inclusive society.
PCAT was developed to help give clarity to teachers and parents who were sometimes searching for a 'system' to meet the needs of young people.
Principles
• accept children, young people and adults for being who they are
• caring for and teaching young people is not about the self gratification of the practitioner
• protect young people from harm and help educate society to accept behaviours that do no harm
• Look, listen, learn then teach from the strengths and abilities of the individual.
Understanding the individual
• likes, interests, fears, hopes
• look, listen, learn
• successes of those that care for the child
Celebrating strengths
• ‘Can do’ shared planning
• Risk assessments that enable
• Looking to the future
Confidence and communication
• Finding ways to communicate that suit the individual
• Taking time with our own language and behaviour
• Helping the young person to communicate with the world
Social inclusion
• Help provide order and structure’ to every day activities for both young person and teacher
• Help others to engage in the structure needed by the young person
• Integration may require everyone to engage in a new story (set of behaviours- ie class teacher stops shouting, class learns to listen to individual)
• Use positive language
Working together
• Families at the core (parents and partners)
• Access to services
• Future focus not stuck in immediate barriers to ambition