Promoting Attention, Communication and Co-operation.
First Step holds groups specifically for children with social communication difficulties or autism. The structured playgroups aim to promote the learning opportunities of selected children who are showing difficulties in the areas of Attention, Communication and Co-operation.
The PACC sessions are held twice weekly on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and are based on the TEACCH Structured Teaching Programmes. Emphasis is placed on routines and communication through the use of pictorial symbols and schedules. The children are encouraged to co-operate, interact and take turns during the group sessions, then to make choices, using objects of reference, follow them through and to complete individual tasks on a one-to-one basis. At present the sessions begin with a group Music Therapy session, which is led by our qualified Music Therapist.
PACC sessions are for 6 children at a time with 5 staff. Video recording takes place regularly during the sessions and these are then shared with parents. Each child has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and reports are written twice a year and are shared with parents and other professionals involved with the child.
Staff from the Social Communication Service provide support and advice. They also meet with parents to provide support and training sessions that give them a chance to discuss ideas and strategies for positive communication and behaviour management that can be used at home with the children.