This article was written by the Bournemouth Eco

Autism not a difficulty but a gift

A TEACHER’S role can be tough at the best of times, but when the students also have special learning needs, it can be even more of a challenge. But Neville Port is better equipped than most to work with pupils who have Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) – because he shares the same condition.

Neville originally came to The Forum – a school which caters for children with ASD at Shillingstone – on a work experience placement, but he now has a full-time job as a classroom assistant. He admits it can be “petrifying” to see behaviour traits he recognises from his own past in his pupils but is also delighted his experiences are valued. “I am really enjoying the job and I feel completely comfortable at the school,” he said.

A gifted musician who plays the guitar and drums, Neville also competes in a local badminton league and helps with PE lessons. “Autism is not a difficulty but a gift; people with high-functioning autism often have high intelligence and a structured, logical way of thinking, which are all assets,” he explained.

“Employers are sometimes prepared to consider roles like shelf-stacking for people with ASD, but we are capable of doing more complex things if we have the right support and encouragement.” Headteacher Adrian Wylie said Neville was a valuable member of the team.

“He has tremendous empathy with the students, providing us with real insight into what it’s like to have autism.” Year nine tutor Andy Orth, who works with Neville, agreed.

“Neville’s perspective and understanding are real assets when we’re observing a pupil’s behaviour,” he said.

“ He can often make a suggestion about how we’re responding to a pupil; to be able to pick his brains is fabulous.” Neville believes that The Forum is ideally placed to help, as staff are already attuned to ASD.

In the past, he says he hasn’t known how to ask for support when he has faced difficulties. “You don’t always want to tell people that you have ASD in case they treat you differently,” he explained.

“The danger then is that one misunderstanding can explode into a situation which you can’t retrieve.”

Neville also received mentoring from Jacqueline Ridgeway of Ottervale Training, a local company contracted by the Department for Work and Pensions to prepare people with disabilities for work.

According to Jacqueline, many people have suffered from depression and anxiety for years before they are finally diagnosed with ASD and they have been totally unaware why things kept going wrong for them at work.

Jacqueline suggests a few simple steps which employers can take to support employees with ASD. “It’s not really a big deal – just a few subtle changes like writing down clear work instructions and rules,” she says.

Keeping language simple and unambiguous is important, too.

Approaches that benefit people with autism, like understanding, patience and a readiness to listen, are effective management skills which will help all staff.

Jacqueline would like employers to realise how much people with autism have to contribute.

“Employees with ASD bring with them a willingness to work hard and succeed, along with great accuracy and attention to detail,” she adds.