Photo opportunity 10am, Wednesday 10 December, General Teaching Council Scotland, Clerwood House, 96 Clermiston Road, Edinburgh.
Andrew Foster, a first year teacher and graduate of the University of Dundee has been awarded a very prestigious national prize for his final year thesis on autism in children.
Andrew (28) who teaches a primary one class in Bowhouse Primary School in Grangemouth has been selected for the George D Gray CBE MA award memorial prize by the General Teaching Council for Scotland for the best undergraduate thesis in Scotland.
The top student teacher studied a number of trials of intensive one to one therapy with autistic children that had been carried out in the United States. He concluded that the therapy, which involved an adult working with a child on autism manifestations social impairments, language impairments and impairments of imagination and rewarding them for positive responses was a successful method and could lead to autistic children being able to cope with mainstream education.
Andrew explains: "My interest in autism was sparked during voluntary work at a pre-school centre in Dundee. I wanted to find out the ways we could help autistic children move into mainstream education. The intervention called Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) involves an adult sitting with a child and prompting the child to develop appropriate behavioural responses to various stimuli. For example, when a child points at something, the adult asks the child to ask for it and rewards the child if they use the appropriate language."
This therapy is however expensive as it requires 40 hours a week over 3 years. The estimated cost for one child is £16,000 - £20,000 per annum for every child for three years. Andrew says: "Although this is significant cost in the short term, the long term dividends would pay off in reduced specialised care costs."
Andrew studied for a Bachelor of Education at the University of Dundee. Dean of the Faculty of Education and Social Work Professor Ron Elder said: "This is a highly prestigious award that brings credit to Andrew and the Faculty. Andrew's thesis was an excellent combination of diligent analysis, clear thinking and sound research skills. These skills will undoubtedly serve him well in his career."
Andrew will be presented with his award on 10th December at the General Teaching Council for Scotland in Edinburgh by Matthew MacIver, Chief Executive/Registrar GTCS. He will receive £500 and a plaque.
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk