The Autism Resource Base provides support for up to 20 children who have a primary diagnosis of autism and have an EHCP. Admissions to the base will be through the SEND team at Lewisham, Kaleidoscope, based on need and suitability of the provision for each individual child. The criteria for children wishing to attend the Resource Base is as follows:

1. The young person must have an EHCP and a primary need of ASD however, they may also have additional needs.
2. Levels: children will be cognitively able and working at levels of a Year 5 student or above or working at age expected levels.
3. The young person will have the ability to access learning within a mainstream setting for at least 50% of the timetable. After we have understood the profile of an individual student’s ability to access mainstream lessons, especially for those students with a spiky profile, we will apply flexibility according to the student’s needs. Students will attend the Resource Base for interventions such as social skills and speech and language support.
4. The Resource Base will be suitable for students where it has been demonstrated that they continue to require a high level of support to regulate their emotional responses and manage the sensory environment of school, as well as the demands of the curriculum.

A wonderfully honest take on what it is like to be Autistic from Sidney in Year 7. With huge thanks to Beth Sbresni, who created this wonderful animation.