ASD learning support in Bermuda

What is ASD?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition occupying a wide space within neurodiversity, which manifests in a range of challenges in social interaction, communication, repetitive behaviours. Often, students with ASD possess unique strengths and differences in thinking and learning. ASD encompasses a spectrum, meaning it affects individuals differently and to varying degrees, from mild to severe. Common characteristics include difficulties in understanding and navigating social cues, challenges in verbal and nonverbal communication, adherence to routines or repetitive behaviours, and sensitivity to sensory stimuli. These traits can impact daily functioning and may present challenges in academic, professional, and social settings.

Support for children with ASD in Bermuda

On the island, dedicated schools providing support for Special Educational Needs (SEN) are scarce. The lone existing facility, the Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning, has limited capacity and cannot accommodate students aged 14 and above. Research indicates a substantial attainment gap between children with SEN and those without, emphasising the need for adapted, differentiated teaching during the crucial 14-16 and Sixth Form years, precisely the years when SEND provision falls short in Bermuda. This is especially the case for ASD. Since children with autism often struggle with ambiguous or deficient teacher instruction, their success beyond the age of 14 depends on the quality of their teachers, or the ability of the latter to attend to their specific need.

Educational options for those with Dyslexia in Bermuda

There are two main schooling options for those with ADD in Bermuda.

Traditional schooling

The first option is to send your child to a traditional school in Bermuda, such as Warwick Academy. This approach poses a number of risks. Whilst some teachers are excellent practitioners who pride themselves on adaptive teaching to ensure that all learners in the classroom are able to access learning material, this is hard to do at class-level and some teachers may fall short of providing scaffolding for each student in their classroom. With ASD, teachers often provide insufficient instruction, or else might be too abstract in their teacher explanations. 

Homeschooling

Decades of pedagogy and the formulation of some key tenets of best practice have transformed homeschooling into an excellent pathway for those children with Special Educational Needs. It is particularly effective for children with ASD, who tend to struggle both socially and academically in a traditional classroom setting. Having a dedicated, one-to-one tutor ensures that the student is able to ask for clarification within a safe, supportive learning environment. Taken out of the context of the classroom, with attendant issues of student behaviour and divided attention, students with ASD are able to focus on their study and achieve parity with, or surpass, their peers in traditional classrooms.

Our approach

At Chapkin Edwards, we combine world-class tutors with a truly bespoke approach for each student that captures the essence of their unique learning style. Our tutors are familiar with ASD-specific teaching techniques such as Applied Behaviour Analysis and the Structured Teaching Approach. They are also able to provide a learning environment free from the usual distractions and cognitive overload that can inhibit learners with ASD.

ASD Tutoring at Chapkin Edwards

If you are interested in arranging personalised tuition which caters to the specific demands of learning with ASD, please get in contact.