The foundation
Tailor Ed Foundation is a small, independent charity committed to improving the quality of life for children with autism and their families. We offer a home based service, where we teach practical skills and provide useful strategies tailored to your child and family. This service is available free of charge to families with a child with autism between 3 and 12 years old, living in the City of Edinburgh. We target practical skills, from getting dressed and toileting, to brushing teeth and going to bed, as well as most things in between.
Who are we?
Tailor Ed Foundation is made up of a group of trained professionals from a variety of backgrounds - including education, psychology and health - who want to improve the day to day living of children with autism and enhance their family’s quality of life.
The team
Dr Ruth Philip PhD (Roo)
Project Manager
Roo has worked with children with autism since 2000, primarily in home based, family run education programs. She has worked with children from age 4 to 13, focussing on teaching communication skills as well as play,academic and self-help skills.
She completed a PhD at Edinburgh University in 2009 which she studied emotion processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder. During her studies Roo attended international conferences and courses on autism and has several peer reviewed journal publications in the field. Much of her research was carried out in conjunction with Number 6 – the one stop shop for adults with autism in Edinburgh, where Roo also volunteered.
Maria Cameron
Project Worker
Maria has worked with both children and adults with autism since 2005. Within a respite service for children and young people with autism she supported individuals to develop their communication and daily living skills. Maria has applied various approaches to support learning and reduce anxiety for children with autism. Maria has also worked within a community outreach service within Autism Initiatives. Within this role she supported young adults with ASD to access the community to give them the opportunity to have new experiences, develop social skills and ultimately boost their self esteem. Maria has also completed an HNC in social care.
Kate Preston
Project Worker
Kate has worked with children with autism and their families since 2001. During this time she has worked predominantly on a one-to-one basis with children with autism both in their homes and in schools. The main focus of this work has been to develop communication and daily living skills. She has worked with children from age 3 to 13 and has experience of working with many individuals with a diverse range of needs and capabilities. Kate is a qualified nursery nurse and is currently working on an Open University degree in Childhood and Youth Studies.
Liz Dixon
Administrative Assistant
A 2009 graduate from Edinburgh University, Liz has had a wide range of experience in the Voluntary Sector, both in project worker and administrative capacities. This has primarily been with the HIV/AIDS organisation ACET International Alliance, but also with local Edinburgh organisations such as the Greyfriars Community Project and Canongate Youth Project.
The board
A comprehensive mix of people, providing a range of skills, expertise and perspectives to guide Tailor Ed.
Matthew Day (Chairperson) - Having worked with adults on the autistic spectrum since 1991, Matthew is currently the service coordinator for Number 6, Autism Initiatives. He has previously served as treasurer on the board of Changes Community Project (an East Lothian mental health charity). Matthew has had extensive training in autism, mental health and managing challenging services, and has a diploma in employment law.
Susie Harding - Susie is a trainee clinical psychologist and has worked in applied psychology for several years with children, young people and families. She has previously worked as a researcher for a children's charity and as a behavioural therapist with children with autism on home intervention programmes.
Chris Brown (Treasurer) - Chris is a Finance Analyst who has previously worked in the voluntary sector for a large Edinburgh based childcare organisation.
Dr Andrew Stanfield - Andy is a psychiatrist with clinical and research interests in autism spectrum conditions.
