Longdon Park School encouraging AAD Practice whilst visiting the Capital

As part of the curriculum offered at Longdon Park School students are given the opportunity to participate in ‘preparing for adulthood’ classes.  During these lessons Maple class have been exploring and accessing different modes of transport. During one of these lessons the students asked if they could go on a train.  When asked where they wanted to go, they suggested London! It was agreed they could go to London if they organised the trip themselves. Maple class accepted the challenge and booked train tickets, organised two activities, and planned a schedule for the day.

On the day of the trip they arrived early at school ready to catch the 8:00am train.

On arrival in London despite being in a very new place with lots of different sounds and smells the students decided they wanted to take the underground. They bought tickets and tentatively climbed aboard the underground heading to Westminster.  The students were full of anxieties about losing their train tickets, losing each other or staff, getting on the wrong train, being underground, the underground being very crowded, but staff took control and the students followed their lead admirably.  The students then conquered more fears and anxieties to enjoy the London Dungeons.  The all-encompassing dark, the sinister music, not being able to control their environment all made them very nervous. Through a combination of sensory fidget toys and deep pressure the students successfully navigated the Dungeons.  After two quite stressful experiences there was no stopping them and with a new found confidence and lots of mutual support they took a trip on the London Eye despite the queues, the height and then being in an enclosed space! They really did get the full London experience and the trip was a huge success in developing the young people’s ability to overcome the sensory challenges of a busy city.  Our students are already looking forward to their next opportunity to visit the big smoke and would feel much more prepared and comfortable when travelling.