what would be the ideal skills, knowledge and personal qualities for a TA

[zippitippitoes]

to work with a year 4 child with an AS statement?

I have an application form but there is no additional information, I'm interested to know what you as parents would expect or hope for?

to be able to put aside any reading you have done and listen to the parents advice on how to deal with this particular child.

to be flexible

Very kind and warm, well-informed, but prepared to put anything you've learned aside to deal with each child as an individual. Open minded, patient, able to see that children don't do things 'for no reason' and be sufficiently curious enough to find out what that reason is. To be on the child's side. To be his advocate. Though I doubt if schools would think that last point very important.

thanks, all it actually says is a knowledge of strategies to support a child with autism would be an advantage

and who actually inputs/selects the TA..presumably the head and the class teacher, senco? parent?

BIBIC have some excellent books on suporting children with autism within the school environment www.bibic.org.uk (and you know you are buying from a decent charity)