Acato

Academy Cato

In other words: Acato

Acato is a place for young people with autism who have not yet found their niche. 

Here they can:

- creative development
- cognitive development
- preparing for independent living
- preparing for work.
- working towards a secondary school diploma or partial certificates
- mapping out and following a personal learning route

For people aged eighteen and over, Acato is a functional daytime activity. Acato is then paid from the allocation of a PGB.

Eighteen-year-olds at Acato are usually enrolled at a non-v(s)o school. Children who come to Acato must remain enrolled at their school, which has the duty of care. However, Acato is paid by means of a PGB.
 

In order to manage the funds and increase the resources Bloemfleur Foundation foundation has been established.

At Acato, your child/young adult can be himself/herself. Together, we look at what he/she likes to do and what development is appropriate. Talents and wishes are our starting point. 

We believe that everyone has their own talents and that it is possible for these to flourish in a school environment.

Creative subjects

  • Digital drawing
  • Cartooning and drawing techniques
  • Sewing lessons with pattern
  • Creative sewing
  • Drawing lessons in combination with a theme
  • Photography and film classes

Core subjects

  • Biology
  • Mathematics / Arithmetic
  • Dutch
  • English

Other subjects

  • Cooking class
  • Nutrition lesson with shopping
  • Lesson on applying for a job
  • Spanish
  • Electronics

Each child receives a customised timetable. For example, it could look like this:

Monday

Free!

Tuesday

09.30 - 10.00 Enter
10.00 - 12.00 Dutch
12.00 - 12.30 Break
12.30 - 15.30 Sewing class

Wednesday

09.30 - 10.00 Enter
10.00 - 12.00 Show
12.00 - 12.30 Break
12.30 - 14.30 English
14.30 - 15.30 Free work

Thursday

09.30 - 10.00 Enter
10.00 - 12.00 Drawing lesson
12.00 - 12.30 Break
12.30 - 15.30 Sewing lesson

Friday

09.30 - 10.00 Enter
10.00 - 12.00 Maths
12.00 - 12.30 Break
12.30 - 15.30 Photography & Media

Want to know more about what we can do for your child/young adult? 

Send an e-mail

Information for parents, caregivers & schools

We are not in favour of granting an Article 5a exemption to children who can learn, but who fail at school. It is possible to be exempted from school attendance and still retain the right to education. Article 11d and the Varia Act allow for this. The school where the pupil is enrolled then continues to have the duty of care. See information from the Education Inspectorate:

Download the PDF here

What do our parents say?

We were asked what Acato means to us... Well... a whole life changed for your child and therefore for yourself. How I've seen my own child change from a rebellious, sometimes almost unmanageable, unhappy and bored child to a child who wants to discover the world again, wants to be happy and is increasingly so, comes up with all sorts of great ideas and wants to carry them out and learn for them, she dives completely into her creativity again and feels herself again, makes her own appointments and discusses what is necessary at Acato and even dares to take the metro on her own.
I never expected to see so much change in my child in such a short time. She is now a child who can be proud of herself and is increasingly so. And of course I am very proud of her!
What a difference it makes when a child has the feeling to be a human being with its own responsibility, with its own thoughts and is allowed to put these into action, is allowed to live in its own freedom, yet is allowed to be together with others in its own way, is allowed to have the feeling that the world is open to you and can receive you with open arms. Because I look through my daughter's eyes and see the much more beautiful world that Acato brings her. And so she brings a piece of Acato home with her. And through that piece, so much more happiness and freedom.

All praise to Sas, who set this up and to all the staff who ensure that there is a safe haven for children and young people who have nowhere to go. Thank you so much!

The day I opened the newspaper and read Sas Boot's article on Acato changed our lives. For almost two years, my son had been sitting at home for the most part. And he was slipping away more and more. He has an IQ of 129 but nowhere was there a safe place for my 14-year old. Here, children are allowed to be who they really are. And they work with so much love and passion. My son has blossomed from day one. He has hope for his future again. At Acato, he is studying for his secondary school diploma and, in practical terms, for an interior stylist. He goes every day with great pleasure and comes home happy. What a miracle. Thanks to Acato, there's a future for my child and as a mother I can live again now that my child is happy again.

What if self-fitting education does not fit! What if your child constantly has to walk on his toes? What if your child cannot be who he is because it is "imposed" in which way he must follow education? What if this gives your child the feeling that he is always not doing well enough? Unfortunately, our child has had to deal with this for years.
Result: A "home-sitter". A talented child with a gifted iq with zero self-confidence.
Our child! As parents, we are so glad that we came across Acato's site by chance.
Result in 4 weeks: A child who has not missed a day! Despite the struggles he struggles with daily, he now goes to school. How is that possible?
Safety and being able to be who you are! A child that can grow! Our child!
Every child deserves this! And all parents too!)