In May 2004 The Impact Trust Charity teamed up with St. Columbkille's Primary School, Carrickmore, County Tyrone and the Camowen Partnership to facilitate the opening of a Pilot Scheme for an "Additionally Resourced Area" for children with ASD.  This new and exciting venture aimed to provide children between the ages of 3-6 with one-to-one support from Classroom Assistants under the direction of a Classroom Teacher, Grainne McElhone, and in conjunction with weekly on-site consultation from the Centre for Early Autism Treatment.

The classroom opened in September 2004 and each child was provided with an individualized education plan in which specific targets are taught through the principles of ABA and additional support strategies. The target skills set for each child are based on the evaluation of a data-driven approach to learning, allowing for daily assessment of each child's learning pace and style. Adjustments to teaching strategies are put into place in accordance with the children's on-going and evolving needs.

All the children have a variety of opportunities to integrate with "mainstream" children at mealtimes, playtimes, presentations and school trips. Additionally small group play sessions take place with typically developing peers in order to advance each child's social and play skills. The Classroom is equipped with two computers, an interactive play table, a theme table, an independent work and book area, play stations and an adjoining gross motor play area. The Classroom has an open-door policy to all the parents and any professionals involved in the education of each child.

The effectiveness of the classroom is dependent upon the collaboration of parents and staff in the development of regularly evaluated and revised individualized treatment plans for each child. Over the past 9 months the children in the classroom have made steady gains in all areas of their learning, they have developed trusting friendships with each other and their Assistants. Many thanks need to be extended to the parents of the children, to the Impact Trust and Camowen Partnership and to Peter Cush of St. Columbkille's Primary School, a truly visionary and pioneering Principal.