Pictured at the opening of ‘Stepping Stones ASD Class’ at Jones Memorial PS is Iris Barker WELB Head of Property Services, Peter Duffy WELB Vice-Chairman and Arlene Foster, MLA Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment with Lisa Quigley Class Teacher and JMPS pupil.
A NEW RESOURCE in the form of a fully equipped class for children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) opened on Wednesday at Jones Memorial primary school in Enniskillen.
Broadcaster Hugh Duncan cut the ribbon on the facility alongside Peter Duffy, vice-chairman of the WELB and pupils that will access the new classroom.
By working in partnership with the WELB minor works program funding was gained to assist JMPS and in particular, to create an autistic spectrum disorder class with a ‘sensory room” to serve this special group of children.
This class will provide placements for up to eight pupils. Initially the class has begun catering for foundation stage and key stage one pupils and with the aim to develop a learning support centre for key stage two (KS2) children in the forthcoming years.
The overarching goal is to provide a complete educational experience for pupils who have been diagnosed with specific learning difficulties on the autistic spectrum.
The pupils enrolled in the autistic class ‘stepping stones’ have full access to all of the facilities available to the pupils in the mainstream school.
The staff of one teacher and two learning support assistants is the support network within the class.
The classroom provides a welcoming and comfortable environment for children to thrive and to be provided with a well-balanced and structured curriculum.
The learning environment has been set up to provide minimum distraction. The room used by the children in the autistic class were recently refurbished and the class has full access to the purpose built soft play area.
The children also have access to a newly fitted sensory learning room where they can play and learn in a relaxing purpose built environment.
The sensory room provides activities that focus on specific senses such as vision and touch. It nurtures the well-being and sense of togetherness in the children who use the room.
The needs of the pupil are also met by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists who regularly provide support within the school also meet the needs of the pupil.
Integration with the mainstream classes is seen as an integral part of each pupil’s overall educational experience.
Throughout the day, the pupils are under the care and direction of their own class teacher Lisa Quigley. Pupils have access to classroom assistance, and while at lunchtime, they have the option to eat their meal with the rest of the school or in the class they are supervised by staff that ensures their safety while in the playgrounds.
Sandra Isherwood, principal at Jones Memorial Primary School said: “We have been amazed at just how quickly ‘Stepping Stones’ has become an integral part of our school.
Children in the mainstream benefit from working and playing with the children from the class. Staff have a great opportunity to experience working with children on the ASD spectrum both in mainstream classes and in Stepping Stones. In all, Jones Memorial Primary School is a much richer place for ‘Stepping Stones’ and its children’.
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