Sutherland House School Publications and Policies

An Interactive Approach to Language and Communication for Non-speaking Children, Phil Christie, Elizabeth Newson, John Newson and Wendy Prevezer, 1992
The interactions between mothers and babies can be shown to take the form of dialogues with a distinct turn-taking character. The disability of autism may prevent the child from taking full advantage of this communication practice; and the paper discusses how best to help such children communicate effectively, bringing together what we understand about the roots of verbal and non-verbal communication.

Antecedents to Behaviour: some basic principles of teaching and learning,Phil Christie, 2000
This paper was produced in consultation with staff at Sutherland House School. It discusses the core principles of working with children in such a way that reduces anxiety and consequent behavioural difficulties.


Musical Interaction: an introduction, Rhian Lewis, Wendy Prevezer and Ruth Spencer: Sutherland House School, 2000
This very practical paper discusses the rationale behind musical interaction therapy and sets out clearly the ways it can be used in a school setting. The whole process is described so that teachers, speech therapists and parents can take from it ideas for adapting their own play interactively with the child, even where a music therapist is not available.

Entering into Interaction, Wendy Prevezer, 2002
This booklet was originally written for speech and language therapists, but is relevant to anyone working or living with a young child with autism. For use with children at a pre-verbal stage and those already using some language, with some reference to higher level language skills. It draws on ideas and strategies developed within ‘Musical Interaction’ sessions at Sutherland House School, but aims to make this way of working accessible to those in less specialised settings, without a musician. The emphasis is on detailed practical strategies for enabling communication, such as following the child (ie non-directive techniques), and using songs and musical games as frameworks.

Policy on Educational Approach and Curriculum, Sutherland House School
Part of Sutherland House School Information Manual, this document (which is updated annually) considers the implications of autism for the educational approach and curriculum. It discusses what is taught at the school (Curriculum Content), how it is taught (Teaching Style and Approach) and where it is taught (Context of Teaching and Learning). (Updated annually)

A Continuum of Provision for a Continuum of Need, Phil Christie and Ruth Fidler, 2001
A paper outlining the way a specialist school for children with autism can be part of inclusive educational provision. It contains examples of strategies for supporting pupils in mainstream schools. Published in Good Autism Practice.

Mealtimes and Eating Difficulties, prepared by the staff at Sutherland House School, 2003
This document was produced following an inset day involving staff from Sutherland House School in Nottingham. The paper gives careful consideration to issues arising from eating and mealtimes within a school setting, but will prove useful to anyone working with children with specific problems in this area. It includes discussion of topics such as ‘Choice - what constitutes realistic choice?’ and ‘Mealtimes - social settings’ and offers practical guidelines and procedures under each heading.

The Impact of High-tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) on the Language and Communication of Students with Autism, Rebecca Checkley, 2006
Published in Good Autism Practice by Rebecca Checkley, a paediatric speech and language therapist working at Sutherland House School. This paper presents evidence in support of the use of high-tech aids to develop communication and presents examples of work with two children from the school

 


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