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Parent A u t i s m E x p l o r e r s C I C When school feels impossible, your childs potential isn’tWhen school feels impossible, your childs potential isn’tWhen school feels impossible, your childs potential isn’t HandbookYour Guide to Aspire Alternative Provision 075572203090755722030907557220309 autismexplorersnorwich.comautismexplorersnorwich.comautismexplorersnorwich.com
Aspire Alternative Provision A u t i s m E x p l o r e r s C I C Sometimes a child who once managed school begins to struggle, mornings become overwhelming, attendance drops, maybe your child says “I can’t go” or the classroom has become too noisy, too demanding or too unpredictable and you don’t know what to do next. At Autism Explorers, we believe there is another question to ask: “What does this child need in order to learn?” If your child is struggling with school, that does not mean you have failed as a parent, it does not mean your child doesn’t want an education. Sometimes the environment, expectations or way of learning simply aren’t working for them. Our Alternative Provision offers a smaller, nurturing and autism-informed approach to education. Welcometo
A u t i s m E x p l o r e r s Our VisionOur VisionOur Vision OurMissionandVision Our MissionOur MissionOur Mission We are a family-centred community interest company supporting autistic and SEND children, young people, parents and carers across Norfolk through inclusive experiences, sensory adventures and community connection. Autism Explorers is a non-profit CIC created to make inclusive, sensory-friendly experiences more accessible for autistic and SEND children and their families. We know that many families of autistic and SEND children can often feel isolated or struggle to find spaces where they truly feel understood, which is why Autism Explorers CIC is passionate about creating a welcoming and supportive community where children, young people, parents and carers can feel accepted, included and celebrated for who they are.
Journey A u t i s m E x p l o r e r s We start with connection. There is no expectation that a child must immediately walk through the door and sit down ready to learn. We build trust. We learn their communication. We discover what makes them feel comfortable. YourExplorers Feel SafeFeel SafeFeel Safe We explore what is making education difficult. This may include: Sensory needs Anxiety Communication Transitions Demand Social expectations The physical environment Previous negative experiences Emotional regulation UnderstandUnderstandUnderstand Learning doesn’t have to look like sitting at a desk. It might happen: Outdoors Through play Through movement Through sensory activities Through practical tasks Through their special interests Through conversation Through creative activities Through real-life experiences Find their wayFind their way of Learningof Learning Find their way of Learning
Journey A u t i s m E x p l o r e r s We celebrate small steps. Getting through the door. Trying something new. Communicating a need. Completing a task. Making a choice. Trying again. These things matter. YourExplorers Build ConfidenceBuild ConfidenceBuild Confidence We work towards the things that matter to your child’s future. This can include: Literacy Numeracy Science Communication Independence Life skills Emotional regulation Social skills Problem solving Confidence Self-advocacy Develop SkillsDevelop SkillsDevelop Skills We work with you to consider the next step. For some children, that might eventually be school. For others, it might be another educational setting or pathway. There is no single definition of success. The goal is to help your child move forward. What comes next?What comes next?What comes next?
A u t i s m E x p l o r e r s Whatwillmychildlearn? Our curriculum can include: English Maths Science STEM Creative learning Outdoor learning PSHE Communication Life skills Money skills Community skills Employability The difference is how we deliver it.
Whathappensnext? A u t i s m E x p l o r e r s TALK TO US Tell us about your child. WE LISTEN We’ll discuss their strengths, needs and current situation. WE EXPLORE We’ll consider whether our provision may be appropriate. WE PLAN We develop an individual approach. WE BEGIN We introduce your child to Autism Explorers at a pace that works for them. WE REVIEW We monitor progress and work with you to consider the next steps. You don’t need to know exactly what your child needs before contacting us. Communication isKey That’s part of the conversation. Your child isn’t a problem to be fixed. They are a person who deserves an education that works for them. Autism Explorers CIC Different route. Same potential.
One child may need movement. Another may need quiet. One child may communicate through speech. Another may use alternative communication. One child may need a predictable timetable. Another may need flexibility. We adapt wherever possible. A u t i s m E x p l o r e r s Childgain? We want children to leave our provision withWe want children to leave our provision with more than completed work.more than completed work. We want children to leave our provision with more than completed work. Confidence. Communication. Independence. Skills. Relationships. Self-understanding. A belief that they CAN learn. Whatwillmy We want them to developWe want them to developWe want them to develop Every Child is differentEvery Child is differentEvery Child is different
What makes them happy? How do they learn? What overwhelms them? What are they interested in? How do they communicate? What helps them feel safe? What are they good at? What do they want to achieve? A u t i s m E x p l o r e r s Promise We will get to know yWe will get to know your child.our child.We will get to know your child. Not just their diagnosis, not just their attendance, not just their behaviour. Your child. Our We want to understandWe want to understandWe want to understand
Contact InformationContact InformationContact Information Together,WeBuilda A u t i s m E x p l o r e r s BrightFuture 075572203090755722030907557220309 autismexplorersnorwich.comautismexplorersnorwich.comautismexplorersnorwich.com We still value education. Alternative Provision isn’t about giving up on education. It is about finding a route that makes education accessible. We can work on academic learning and wellbeing. We can work on life skills and communication. We can work on confidence and independence. Because all of these things contribute to a child’s future. Should you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us. helloautismexplorers@gmail.comhelloautismexplorers@gmail.comhelloautismexplorers@gmail.com