Our teams have the knowledge and experience to understand the functions behind behavioural communication, and our aim is to help develop independent life skills, improve communication and resolve environmental issues. Where individuals may have been previously described as exhibiting “challenging behaviours” in certain situations, we believe in taking a proactive approach and turning the focus onto understanding what the individual is trying to communicate. 
With our wealth of experience in supporting people living with autism, we know that factors such as noise, lighting and change can increase anxiety. We also know that patience, being generous with praise and keeping language clear and concise can have positive effects. We incorporate the TEACCH approach in our support, which relates to structuring and organising schedules to encourage focus and routine, and also use the SPELL framework which emphasises the importance of creating calm and ordered environments, often described as low arousal.
We take lots of time to get to know each person and understand what does and doesn't contribute to positive outcomes. We also spend time with family members and care professionals close to the individual, to gain an understanding of the challenges the person may have already overcome and their hopes for the short and long term. 
Once we've done this, all of that information is put together to create a bespoke support plan. Each person will have a unique set of development objectives relating to their autism, which we focus on when providing support. Our aim is for people to self-direct their support as much as possible, helping them to exercise choice in all aspects of their daily lives. We also encourage each person to be part of their local community in whatever way suits them, whether that's getting out and about to do shopping, meeting new friends or taking up a volunteering opportunity. 
Working alongside each person's family and circle of support we continually review progress and celebrate achievements to ensure we’re recognising steps forward, adapting to changes and planning for the different stages of their life.