The Behaviour Team is made up from a multi-disciplinary team, this including areas of specialist skills such as NAPPI, Psychology and TEACCH . Our role here based at Autism Care UK is to help support staff with service users who display challenging behaviour.

Referrals will go straight to the behaviour team in which they will discuss what further action needs to be taken. We envisage that having a team made from different disciplines will help us collectively approach referrals, improve communication between disciplines and also as a team.

Lead by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and an on-site Assistant Psychologist serving all four residential units at Autism Care UK. Our main role is to help support staff particularly with regard to the challenging behaviour of some of the Service Users. When a Service User is referred to the department a functional analysis is carried out. This approach involves observation of the individual, interviews with staff, parents or if appropriate the individuals themselves in order to reach a better understanding of the behaviour. We also use adaptive behaviour scales and sensory profiles to assess the individual as well as TEACCH assessments.

Once we have identified the functions of the behaviour we will design interventions to help reduce the frequency, duration or intensity of that behaviour. Possible interventions include individual sessions or group work such as social skills groups, positive reinforcement schedules, environmental changes, guidelines for staff and adapting daily programmes. All interventions are based on a positive, non-aversive approach to behaviour change and all of the clinical work is supervised by our Consultant. Training is another core responsibility of the department and includes 'Autism Awareness Training', specific training to support staff on the 'Triad of Impairments' and 'Getting to Know You' sessions about the individual service users.

The Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children (and Adults)

Autism Care UK has adopted the TEACCH method as the underpinning philosophy behind its practises. Assessment is essential and therefore all service users have the opportunity to be assessed using the AAPEP (adolescent and adult psycho-educational profile). This valuable tool enables us to know where the service user is 'at' in terms of skill level and is therefore a vital component in the development of individualised programmes and strategies.

An advantage of the TEACCH method is that it can be used at all levels and in all settings. It provides visually presented strategies such as daily schedules, methods for coping with change, visual clarity within tasks, communication methods and order organisation within tasks.

TEACCH is overseen by the TEACCH Advisor who has attended a five day intensive 'hands on' workshop training for professionals and also advanced training. Each unit has a named TEACCH assistant. The introduction of the TEACCH method has been of enormous benefit to the service users and this has been reflected in our success in the accreditation process.

Non Abusive Physical & Psychological Intervention

Autism Care has adopted NAPPI as its training package for enabling staff to both recognise and deal with behaviours relating to anxieties. In addition, it acts as a valuable tool for ensuring we offer a positive, safe and enjoyable workplace for all those involved.

NAPPI is not only autism specific in its knowledge base, but also has the potential for person specific application, allowing care staff to apply their new learning skills to the behaviour of a particular individual. Essentially, the carer is provided with a means of 'reading' what a person is actually communicating when they display certain behaviours, the appropriate reactive strategies and a method for positive interaction with that person. The objective in each case is to, wherever possible, minimise any anxieties felt by the Service User.

Autism Care UK has fully qualified on-site NAPPI trainers providing both induction training for new staff and yearly refresher courses. Information relating to the approach used is identified in the individual's care plans and on their Red and Green Lalemand Scales.