CMs looking after SEN children, please advise

[apotomak]

I'm newly registered and have been asked to look after an autistic child. I know the family. He's 3 has a delayed speech. It's very hard to grab his attention he does not follow instruction prefers to play on his own. I want to make sure I will be able to meet his needs but I have no idea where to look for support. I can't see how I'd make use of EYFS guidelines. Where do you get the ideas on activities? I don't want to say no just because I don't know how to handle a child with autism if there is a good support source out there. Any advice will be very appreciated.

speak to your EY team; there is a booklet about caring for children on the autistic spectrum, called 'supporting children on the autistic spectum:Guidance for practitioners on the EYFS' from the DSCF; ask to meet their Pead or special nurse; gather as much info from the family as you can; look at the NAS website

Working with children with SEN can be very rewarding, and you can be proud of yourself for offering an inclusive service

There is an autistic society website with some good ideas on, thats the one boys above has attached i think.
Has the child been assessed under the common assessment framework as there will be a lead professional you should be able to contact to offer help and support.
Definately offer to work with anyone who has been involved ie, health visitor, doctors etc. that way you will feel happy to ask for advice.

Great that you are looking into it

I have spent lots of time with a little boy with aspergers. My only suggestions as well as looking at how you can 'care' for him is also to consider how caring for him 'may' affect the rest of your business. It just depends on his 'type' or autism and your children/ other mindees and their parents. Whether his needs will be suited to the environment that you can offer.
From my experience (which is limited) group childcare is not always the best solution for an autistic child (This is DEF not always the case) sometimes they thrive better and are easier to 'manage' with one to one care.
Please don't let me put you off. I certainly don't know everything about children on the spectrum. Just giving you other things to consider.

find out from his parents how far his speech delays means he has difficulty understanding instructions - it might be that he can't rather than won't iyswim. you may find it useful to use photos as well to explain things - like photo of garden when going out in garden etc. also if you do intend to look after him, ask if speech therapy/occupational therapy (if he is seeing them) have any exercises/advice to parents as that may be useful for you.

Is there any funding involved as if he has been assessed that one to one care is appropriate you can charge for 2 places.

NAS has local support groups, so consider joining your local group as they may put on special activities especially during school holiday periods.

Your profile mentions you are in Surrey, so I'll point you towards the NAS Surrey Branch mailing list - it's a Yahoo group mail system where parents and carers of children with autism, plus adults with autism can chat with each other and ask advice from each other. Do Not Join Via Yahoo... instead complete this form as it is a moderated group.

Surrey NAS Branch website - www.mugsy.org/
Initial contact for Surrey NAS is Sara
Truman, NAS Surrey Branch Officer, email: [email protected] tel: 01483-822630