• Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger Syndrome and associated difficulties
• Residential and day places offered
• Courses start September
• 38 weeks per year
• Maximum 110 students
• Age 16-25 years

General Description of College:
ESPA College provides education for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 with autism spectrum disorder. The college is based on three day sites and two residential sites in Sunderland and Newcastle.

The Curriculum:
We aim to educate young people for life, well-being and work. All students follow the College Core Curriculum which is autism-specific, imaginative and varied to maximise students learning and includes a range of subjects to promote independence and employability. Our emphasis is on developing skills to improve social communication such as conversational skills, social rules, relationships and behaviour self-management. The emotional literacy curriculum includes among other areas self-awareness, positive thinking, self-esteem and making relationships. Some of the other subjects offered include Skills for Life, Creative and Performing Arts and Photography. Students may take advantage of supported learning in local further education colleges to gain additional awards. We offer enrichment programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and students can take part in whole college events such as art and photography exhibitions, performances and plays.

Specialist Facilities:
All programmes are taught in a range of settings such as social, leisure and community environments. This autism-specific focus enables students to achieve increased independence in all aspects of their lives.

Statements:

1. expertise in working with learners with autism spectrum disorder
2. expertise in working with learners with Asperger syndrome
3. expertise in supporting learners with behavioural difficulties
4. expertise in supporting learners with emotional difficulties
5. expertise in supporting learners with associated mental health needs
6. expertise in meeting the needs of students with moderate learning difficulties
7. in-house psychology services
8. in-house psychiatric services
9. specialist community access training to enable independent travel
10. guidance and counselling services
11. a programme to enable students to learn more about themselves and how to form relationships
12. opportunities to prepare for further training after college
13. opportunities to explore a range of living options after college
14. a programme to help learners to look after themselves more independently
15. opportunities to attend local mainstream colleges with support
16. opportunities to prepare for work after college
17. opportunities to experience real work situations
18. opportunities to develop strategies to minimise incidence of inappropriate behaviour
19. opportunities for learners participate in community activities and to learn about citizenship
20. a personal development programme

To request a prospectus from ESPA College please fill in the details below and click submit.