Description
Many teachers feel that their degree did not prepare them to teach autistic students, yet autism occurs in 1 in 44 eight year old children, so they are highly likely to have at least one autistic child in their classroom. The course starts with understanding the autistic learning profile, including how to adapt teaching styles to accommodate the autistic learning profile.. The course will also focus on understanding why autistic students behave the way they do, and struggle to fit in with classroom expectations and peers, and provides vital clues to the best strategies to assist them to adapt to the school environment. We cover these topics and more:
- The autistic learning profile
- Managing executive functioning difficulties
- How autism presents differently in girls
- How to understand and relate to your autistic student
- Strategies to prevent and manage meltdowns and shutdowns
- Including emotions as part of the classroom curriculum
- Increasing motivation, focus and flexible thinking
- Friendships and creating an inclusive and safe culture
- Special interests and their uses in the classroom
- Sensory issues and accommodations
Teaching Process: The workshop includes a combination of didactic teaching, participant activities and Q&A. Participants attend via link to a live presentation. They have access to a chat room where they can ask questions at any time. There is opportunity to learn from workshop participants, as well as the trainers.
Trailer
About the speakers
Prof Tony Attwood PhD With a career spanning five decades, Professor Tony Attwood is considered to be one of the world’s foremost experts on Autism Spectrum Disorder. He has Honour’s degree in Psychology from the University of Hull, a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Surrey and a PhD from the University of London. He is currently an adjunct Professor at Griffith University in Queensland. Tony has written many publications on Asperger’s Syndrome. His original book, titled Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals was published in 1998 and has been translated into over 25 languages.
Tony operates a diagnostic and psychological support clinic two days a week for children and adults. He also spends considerable time travelling nationally and internationally to present workshops and seminars.
Dr Michelle Garnett PhD is a clinical psychologist who has specialised in autism for nearly three decades. Her peer-reviewed research has informed understanding of early detection, the female profile and the importance of good mental health for autistic individuals. She has co-authored six highly regarded books on autism, five with Prof Tony Attwood. Her 2018 book with Barb Cook is a seminal work on the female presentation, Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism. Her most recent books Having Fun with Feelings on the Autism Spectrum and Ten Steps to Reducing Your Child Anxiety on the Autism Spectrum provide guidance to parents of young children on the autism spectrum. She regularly provides training to four Australian Universities.
