The Options Group provides the best options for people with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Children and adults with autism have difficulty relating to others in a meaningful way. Their ability to develop friendships is generally limited as is their capacity to understand other people’s emotional expression. People with autism can often have accompanying learning disabilities, but everyone with the condition shares a difficulty in making sense of the world.
There is also a condition called Asperger's Syndrome which is a form of autism used to describe people usually at the higher functioning end of the autistic spectrum.
(description taken from What is Autism? available on the National Autistic Societywebsite www.nas.org.uk).
The Options Group has 4 autism schools and 2 autism colleges as well as providing autism services for adults.
There is a continuum of care from age 8 throughout life. Our integrated network of services provides a lifelong support programme to people with varying needs within the Autistic Spectrum.
These services are indicated in the following interactive diagram:-
| New Options (Cruckton) Shropshire | New Options (Barton) N.E. Lincolnshire | New Options (Holywell) Flintshire | New Options (Higford) Shropshire |
Asperger’s SyndromeA well established school that provides for the medium to low dependent end of the Autistic Spectrum with 52 week and term time only placements for boys aged 9-19 |
ASD – High Dependency EndA state of the art and innovative integrated school and Children’s Home for boys and girls aged 8-18 at the high dependency end of the Autistic Spectrum. 52 week placements with a few day places. |
ASD – High Dependency EndA state of the art and innovative integrated school and Children’s Home for boys and girls aged 8-18 at the high dependency end of the Autistic Spectrum. 52 week placements with a few day places. |
ASD – Extreme Dependency EndA futuristic and unique integrated school and Children’s Home for boys and girls aged 8-18 at the extreme dependency end of the Autistic Spectrum. 38 and 52 week placements. |
| AALPS College North N.E. Lincolnshire |
AALPS College (Midlands) Worcestershire |
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ASD - Low to High DependencySpecialist, fully integrated, whole life support programme specifically designed to meet the needs of young adults aged 16-30 with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and compatible learning or communication difficulties |
ASD - Low to High DependencySpecialist, fully integrated, whole life support programme specifically designed to meet the needs of young adults aged 16-30 with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and compatible learning or communication difficulties |
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| Wider Options - Avoca / Warren Court | |||
ASD - Medium to High DependencyWider Options offers lifelong support programmes for adults with a range of special needs who need support to achieve their potential for independence. These services include Supported Living Schemes, Specialist Residential Services, Respite & Outreach Support, Specialist Daytime Support |
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Andrea Dishman Chief Operating Officer, Over the past two decades, Andrea has become a leading expert in the field of high quality education and support services for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, in the UK and internationally. She established the first operational TEACCH unit in the UK and planned and successfully implemented the reestablishment of the world’s largest school for autistic young people in purpose-designed, state of the art accommodation in South Yorkshire. She is also a respected writer, speaker, trainer, researcher and consultant, with an international reputation in the field
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Geoff Evans Deputy Director Geoff has consolidated a national and international reputation as an expert speaker and specialist trainer in Autism. His extensive experience in the field over more than two decades has been used by universities, the National Autistic Society and others to enhance the design, content and delivery of a range of training programmes. His continuing professional and academic interests in ASD include sexuality in adolescence, sensory perception and processing in young people, challenging behaviour and family support.
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