Therapy Support
A multi professional team of specialist therapists, from Sundial Therapy, provides bespoke therapy for Ascent Autism Specialist College
Providing Specialist Therapy support to Autistic students
Sundial Therapy Team is a Multi disciplinary Team of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Therapy Assistants and our Therapy dog Nico. We also work alongside additional Therapists who provide Rebound Therapy and Music Therapy.
Occupational Therapy
Our Occupational Therapy Team focuses on function in everyday life. We aim to develop the skills, independence and well-being of those we work with. We aim to overcome barriers and ensure that everyone can participate in the activities that are meaningful and important to them.
We aim to develop skills that will support a person throughout their college life and beyond into the community.
Occupational Therapists at Ascent may provide support with:
- Sensory Processing
- Fine and Gross Motor Skills
- Motor Planning and Motor Coordination
- Functional skills
- Executive functioning skills
- Visual Motor Integration and Visual Perception Skills
Students at Ascent will receive Assessment from OT, and a bespoke Therapy plan will be devised providing, integrated, targeted or specialist support. We work collaboratively with a range of professionals and communication partners.
Speech and Language Therapy
Our speech and language therapy team aims to support students to communicate what they want, to who they want, when they want, using whatever method they choose. Using a Total Communication approach, we support students to develop their communication skills so that individuals can express the things that are important to them. All methods of communication are respected and celebrated, whether this be spoken language or Alternative and Augmentative Communication methods (AAC).
Speech and Language Therapy may provide support in the following areas:
- Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC)
- Self-advocacy
- Perspective taking
- Understanding own neurodivergent communication styles and communication styles of others
- Emotional literacy and regulation
- Student voice
- Expressive language
- Receptive language
- Developing communication skills within college, community and work placements
- Supporting communication partners to understand communication strengths and needs
Students will receive assessment from SaLT and a bespoke therapy plan will be devised providing integrated, specialist or targeted support. The support each student receives is bespoke to their skills, needs and priorities. We work collaboratively with a range of professionals and communication partners.
Working with the Sundial team
The Sundial Team works collaboratively as a multi-disciplinary team, often planning and delivering jointly with other Therapist and with Education staff. At Ascent, therapy informs teaching, and teaching informs therapy, so individual learning needs are met. Shared person-centred therapy targets ensure a cohesive, consistent practice in meeting learning needs outlined in Educational Health Care Plans. Outcome measures are used to show the progress and benefits of therapy support.
The Sundial team works closely with families/carers, external Multi-Disciplinary Teams and the wider community, providing advice, support and sign-posting. The Therapy Team can offer support with Dietary, Sleep, Sex education, sensory regulation and Positive Behaviour Support.
Parents and Professionals
Ascent Autism Specialist College teaching assistant receives national award
Sam Lowe, a teaching assistant at Ascent Autism Specialist College, has received a national award from Teaching Personnel. The SEN Teaching Assistant of the Year Award recognises and celebrates the hard work and dedication of teaching assistants in Special Educational...
Ascent Autism Specialist College shortlisted for three prestigious Educate Awards
Ascent Autism Specialist College, part of the Remarkable Autism Charity, has been shortlisted for three awards in the highly anticipated Educate Awards 2023 shortlist. . The Educate Awards is the largest education awards in the North West and celebrates the...
Community enterprise project awarded community funding from MRWA for the second year
The Pre-Loved Project, part of Ascent Autism Specialist College, has been awarded community funding for the second year running. The MRWA (Merseyside Waste and Recycling Authority) Community Fund aims to support eco-friendly and sustainable projects. For 2022/23 the...
Student named DoE ‘Voice of Neurodiversity’ Youth Ambassador
Student named Duke of Edinburgh’s Youth Ambassador Ascent Autism Specialist College student, Courtney, has been chosen as the voice of neurodiversity for the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Youth Ambassador programme. The DofE UK Youth Ambassador programme involves a...
Remarkable Autism awarded the National Autistic Society’s Beacon Status
Wargrave House School and Ascent Autism Specialist College, part of the Remarkable Autism Charity, have been awarded the National Autistic Society’s highest award accreditation, Beacon Status. The award, given to provisions that have already achieved an advanced award...
Ascent Autism Specialist College student gets a visit from a celebrated author
Fantasy author Wes. M Henshaw recently visited the Preloved Project in Newton-le-Willows to discuss his new book with students from Ascent Autism Specialist College. The distinguished author met with Ascent Autism Specialist College student; Courtney, a...
How Ruby Has Improved Her Employability Skills
Ruby is currently in her third year at college. Ruby is on a pathway to develop her ability to live independently, her community access and her employability skills. Ruby has worked hard to learn new skills through her time with us in various work placements. Her...
Learn Why a Professional Music Producer Invited Our Student to London
Learn Why a Professional Music Producer Invited Our Student to London Like many of his peers, Yanick is an extremely active young person who has progressed with his communication, employability skills, social interaction and preparation for adulthood/life skills....
Building My Future
Ben has worked at Earlestown Cricket Club for two years as part of his employability qualification. In this time Ben has made huge progress in his social skills by working alongside a number of different members of the club. Ben has learned a number of new skills at...
Inspirational LEAP Specialist College student receives Rotary Young Citizen Peacemaker Award 2023
LEAP Specialist College student Yanick has been awarded the Rotary Young Citizen Peacemaker Award after making an exceptional impact on his peers and the local community. Yanick, nominated by LEAP Specialist College, will receive his Young Citizen Peacemaker Award at...