Autistic pupils do teacher proud in the workplace

10:38am Thursday 24th November 2005

TEACHER Renata Gunn proudly tells how much her autistic pupils gain from their work experience placements.

The teacher at the Sybil Elgar National Autistic school in Acton, says: "It changes them and helps them to increase their self-esteem. They feel proud and have a sense of responsibility.

The school is unique, not only because of its status as the first autistic-specific school in the world, but also because of its active work experience programme.

Mrs Gunn continues: "We started with four children last year. And at the moment there are nine currently doing work experience.

"Autistic children can be very insecure but when they are doing the work experience they understand that if we have chosen them they are able and they are important."

The school currently has students working at Waterstones, Iceland, Marks and Spencer, and even Gunnersbury Park.

Mrs Gunn adds: "You can see the change in their behaviour and confidence straight away."

One student at Sybil Elgar, Danny Cassidy, 18, has worked at Iceland and now works part-time for Waterstones the bookshop where he hopes to find a job.

He explains: "I find working at Waterstones more interesting. I do labelling and put stickers and security tags on books. I'd really like to work there when I finish school. I'll be going back to do more work experience in January."

Mrs Gunn says the placements benefit the school and the community.

She said: "Someone has to do the simple tasks. Why not let our students do them?"

Chris Heales, manager of Waterstones in Ealing, said: "Before I met Danny I did not know a great deal about autism but I was interested to see how we could help - and now I'm really glad that we have. It's worked really well. Danny has made a huge impact on the branch. One thing that made me really happy is that when we had a visit from the head of security a few weeks back he commended Danny to me, personally, for the work he has been doing with the security tags."

To donate money to the Angel Cakes for Autism catering kitchen appeal please ring 08702 334040

For more information visit www.autism.org.uk