Ambitious about Autism

Ambitious about Autism is leading by example to improve opportunities for children with autism. It has established an exemplar school in London, which has blazed the trail for a new movement in autism education across the country. It's National Centre for Autism Education aims to transform the lives of all children with autism, wherever they live.

Autism

Autism is a serious neurological disorder, which affects 1 in 100 children in the UK. Children with autism behave differently from their typically-developing peers and these differences are usually presented through challenges with communication, social understanding and restrictive behaviour.

All children with autism need the right education to unlock their potential. The vast majority of children with autism can experience strong attachments, are affectionate and have the potential to enjoy social interaction. With the right environment and learning opportunities, all people with autism will be able to continue to develop and achieve throughout their lives.

Education is the key

But specialist teaching is crucial - and the absence of the right specialist support from skilled professionals will have a devastating impact on people with autism and their families.

There are approximately 100,000 school-aged children with autism in the UK, yet there are currently only 7,500 specialist school places. Even if 75% of children with autism can attend mainstream schools, this leaves a dramatic shortfall of 17,500 specialist places. And there aren't enough teachers trained in autism - currently only one in five teachers of a pupil with autism has had any autism training at all.

Ambitious about Autism is leading by example to improve opportunities for children with autism and runs three services:

Ambitious about Autism's School

Ambitious about Autism has established an exemplar day school in London to educate up to 80 children and young people with autism, aged 3 to 19. All of the pupils who attend the school have severe autism and additional learning difficulties and many would otherwise be in residential care were it not for the intensive support they receive at Ambitious about Autism. The children are thriving, often outstripping their parents' expectations. The school has blazed the trail for a new movement in autism education across the country.

Ambitious about Autism Training and Consultancy

Since it was founded, Ambitious about Autism has aimed to inspire and assist others to set up similar provisions, which has led to the establishment of several new autism schools in the UK. Ambitious about Autism also promotes greater training and formal accreditation for autism practitioners, builds the capacity of parents to inspire local agencies to improve services and is pioneering new services to address the 24 hours-a-day needs of children with autism and their families.

Ambitious about Autism policy and campaigning

Ambitious about Autism's goal is to ensure that autism is high on the agenda of decision makers in order to raise standards and expand the quantity and quality of autism services nationwide. Ambitious about Autism is a key member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism (APPGA), contributes to a range of government sponsored guidance on autism and provides ongoing commentary, analysis and responsible media coverage about the needs of children with autism.

Next steps - Ambitious about autism

Ambitious about Autism is now poised to dramatically expand its services and also build a National Centre for Autism Education which will provide a centre to deliver current and develop new services, and also offer essential training to autism practitioners.

TalkTalk has helped to raise £50,000 for Ambitious about Autism.

TalkTalk support

TalkTalk is determined to support this expansion of services and enable Ambitious about Autism to transform the lives of all children with autism, wherever they live.

Ambitious about Autism is a registered charity, number 1063184. For more information about Ambitious about Autism please go to www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk .

More information about The Carphone Warehouse Group's approach to Corporate Responsibility is available on the Carphone Warehouse site.