Developing a model for measuring emotional well-being in children and young people on the autism spectrum: one school's project

Ruth Fidler is the Assistant Headteacher at Sutherland House School and the three other authors are Assistant Psychologists at the Elizabeth Newson Centre. This paper describes a method that staff at the school have developed for ascertaining the emotional well- being of the pupils. Data are collected from the pupil, from the parents or carers and from the staff on a regular basis to measure progress and to identify priority areas for intervention. This is an important paper as it is vital that staff develop ways of evaluating their work in school in a way which produces tangible information. This can then be used directly with the pupil to build self awareness and in discussion with their parents and carers, so that all key people work together in a consistent and informed manner.