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Prior's Court - Autism Education Charity
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  • About Autism
  1. About Us
  2. About Autism

About Autism

Our autism school   Our young adult autism provision   Our autism training  Our autism research programme

Our son had a lot of behavioural problems and was self injurious. He would bite his hand when he was anxious or bang his head. He had no way of communicating and was therefore extremely frustrated as a young boy.

Parent of a young person at Prior's Court

Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder or Condition) is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, as well as how they experience the world around them. It is a spectrum condition: some people with autism can live relatively independently but others may need a high level of support throughout their lives. The condition can make life extremely challenging for the families of those affected.

Aim High For Autism is a short film following the journey of eight of our young people as they travel to London’s iconic Abbey Road studios to record Let Me Shine. It calls for acceptance and understanding for those on the autistic spectrum, and sees them overcoming enormous challenges to be a part of the production - the culmination of months of rehearsals and preparation. 

Watch 'Aim High for Autism':

To mark World Autism Awareness Day, which takes place on 2nd April each year, Prior's Court young people, staff and musicians recorded a song, 'Let Me Shine' to raise awareness, challenge perceptions of autism and encourage acceptance.  


Watch 'Let Me Shine' - a song for World Autism Awareness Day:

Our autism school   Our young adult autism provision   Our autism training  Our autism research programme

My Special Brother - by Hannah, aged 12 years, sister to Jacob

I know him as my brother
Which seems very strange indeed
This little boy so special
Who knows nothing about me

I often wonder where he goes
In times of private thought
I hope he's happy and content
In just the way he ought

He lives his life in parallel
Across this huge divide
To be here with me but not connect
Growing older side by side

We never play or share or shout
This world he's in will keep me out
I hope one day he'll let me in
So I can be special just to him.

Published: 29th September, 2016

Updated: 6th August, 2020

Author: Wendy Garstin

Related topics:
  • About Us
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Latest

  • Taking cooking skills learnt on-site back home

    Taking cooking skills learnt on-site back home

    One of our young adults has utilised a range of skills he learnt with us over the past nine months to make delicious bread buns for his family, to the delight of his parents.

  • Learning and Development Compliance Lead

    Learning and Development Compliance Lead

    We are currently recruiting for a Learning and Development Compliance Lead to manage training compliance for the organisation.

  • Autism Practitioner

    Autism Practitioner

    We aim for our support staff to be highly trained experts in autism, that's why we call them Autism Practitioners rather than Support Workers. We are looking for individuals with and without experience in care to provide a positive learning environment for young people.

  • Learning and Development Co-ordinator

    Learning and Development Co-ordinator

    We are currently recruiting for a Learning and Development Co-Ordinator to join our dedicated team, to provide administrative support to the Learning & Development Compliance Lead.

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  • Our bakery - Bread & Beyond

    Our bakery - Bread & Beyond

  • Become an Autism Practitioner

    Become an Autism Practitioner

    Go home every day knowing that you made a real difference to the lives of young people with autism.

  • Autism Expertise

    Autism Expertise

    Part of what makes our approach so successful is the high level of expertise staff maintain. A strong focus on training ensures staff have a variety of strategies to suit the individual's needs.

  • Contact us

    Set up in 1999, Prior's Court Foundation provides the governance and administration for Prior's Court School, Prior's Court Young Adult Provision and Prior's Court Training & Development Centre. Find out how to contact us here.

  • What we do

    What we do

    Prior’s Court is dedicated to bringing the highest level of expertise to support and improve life chances for people with severe autism.

  • Useful Links

    Useful Links

    Links to some of the organisations and individuals we work with and other potentially useful sites and sources of information.

  • Dame Stephanie Shirley CH

    Prior's Court is indebted to Founding Patron Dame Stephanie Shirley CH whose vision of a centre of excellence for children with autism became a reality when Prior's Court School opened in 1999.

Most read

  • Press statement; Devastating news from Prior's Court

    Press statement; Devastating news from Prior's Court

    On Thursday 11 October, Prior’s Court received a call from Thames Valley Police informing us that one of our minibuses had been involved in a serious road traffic collision with a heavy goods vehicle on the M4.

  • Contact us

    Set up in 1999, Prior's Court Foundation provides the governance and administration for Prior's Court School, Prior's Court Young Adult Provision and Prior's Court Training & Development Centre. Find out how to contact us here.

  • Autism Practitioner

    Autism Practitioner

    We aim for our support staff to be highly trained experts in autism, that's why we call them Autism Practitioners rather than Support Workers. We are looking for individuals with and without experience in care to provide a positive learning environment for young people.

  • What we do

    What we do

    Prior’s Court is dedicated to bringing the highest level of expertise to support and improve life chances for people with severe autism.

  • What we do 5-20

    What we do 5-20

    Prior's Court School is an independent special school for young people with autism aged 5 to 20 years. All students are on the autism spectrum and have moderate to severe learning difficulties and complex needs.

  • Family Fund

    Family Fund

    We are absolutely devastated that a road traffic collision on Thursday 11 October caused three members of staff to lose their lives while two have suffered life changing injuries. We would like to thank all those who donated or sent messages of support to those affected.

  • Let Me Shine

    Let Me Shine

    To mark World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April, Prior’s Court released a new single, ‘Let Me Shine’, to challenge perceptions of autism. Please listen to the song, watch the video and help share the message.

  • What we do 19-25

    What we do 19-25

    Prior’s Court Young Adult Provision was set up in 2011 to meet the continuing needs of young adults between the ages of 19 and 25 with autism, learning difficulties and complex needs.

  • Senior Autism Practitioner

    Senior Autism Practitioner

    Join our teams working in conjunction with the Home Management Team supporting young people with severe autism in their homes.

  • Autism Practitioner - Nights

    Autism Practitioner - Nights

    Our night teams play a key role in improving the sleep patterns of young people with autism and in building their independence and life-skills.

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Our Impact

Our Impact

Due to the high level and complexity of need, our priority is to ensure that young people are safe and healthy. From there we work to enable progress in all areas of their lives. Read more

Published: 17th October, 2016

Updated: 14th January, 2020

Author: Wendy Garstin

Related topics:
  • Our Specialist Approach

Latest tweet

  • A big announcement is coming on Monday... watch this space. It's teaser time. https://t.co/pkb9NjSiMZ

    5thMarch, 2021 @PriorsCourt
  • Prior's Court plays Catch Phrase. Here's a little more! https://t.co/aoeilmG04g

    5thMarch, 2021 @PriorsCourt
  • Let's play Catch Phrase. Exciting news coming soon https://t.co/5IvLKQxRqr

    5thMarch, 2021 @PriorsCourt

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Prior’s Court
Hermitage
Thatcham
Berkshire
RG18 9NU

Tel: +44 (0)1635 247202
Email: [email protected]

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