Locked in their own private world, they are very sensitive about their personal space and ignore or actively repel attempts to engage with them. And, left to their own devices, autistic children often resort to extremely repetitive behaviour. TreeHouse's approach is a constant effort to break down the barriers autists erect around themselves, to socialise them seemingly despite themselves. Hornby takes me to see it. In the newest class, one teacher seeks to get a child who cries and constantly turns away from him to follow a simple drill.
Compliance is encouraged by lots of praise, rewards, cuddles and tickles.
In an older class, the children are sitting around having a picture-book story read to them. In the context, astonishing progress. He is discovering more toys. He does become bored more easily. We are definitely seeing the benefits.