As Headteacher at Kisharon Noé School, it’s unlikely that Dr Emily Haddock gets time even to draw breath, but the Attention Autism technique has so proved its worth, she is training to become an advanced practitioner.

By the end of this academic year, Emily, who has been running Attention Autism sessions for the last four years – in her pre-Kisharon days – will reach the level required to pass on her skills to others.

Around three quarters of pupils at the school are impacted by autism, a condition that emerges during childhood and takes its toll on social skills, attention spans, communication and relationships. Children are affected to a greater or lesser degree, hence the term ‘autism spectrum’, but the good news is that it has become more widely recognised in recent years. Portrayals in films and on TV have made autism better understood and accepted, and because of this, a wider range of strategies has evolved, like Attention Autism, which was designed by Gina Davies, a speech and language therapist.

Attention Autism works by involving children in activities that are fun and inviting. Emily sums it up: “The children cannot resist participating.”

Pupils work through various stages, moving up only when they show progress. In stage one, a bucket is filled with visually engaging toys. The teacher presents a toy and uses simple language about it to encourage the children to pay attention.

Showing the children a practical activity comes next. In stage 2, the children are taught to pay attention for a longer period.

By stage 3, the children get to do the practical activity themselves, learning to share, take turns and wait. Stage 4 takes the process one step further, with children watching a demonstration of a more complex activity and then being required to do it themselves, by following instructions.

Emily said: “The Kisharon Noé School curriculum ethos offers an irresistible invitation to learn. Through this approach we see our students able to attend and concentrate for extended periods of time and therefore make greater and rapid progress.”