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.
Event 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 currently works in his own private practice and is also an adjunct professor at Griffith University, Queensland and the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. His book Asperger’s Syndrome – A Guide for Parents and Professionals has sold over 500,000 copies and has been translated into 27 languages. His subsequent book, The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome, published in October 2006, has sold over 300,000 copies and has been translated into 18 languages, and is one of the primary textbooks on Asperger’s syndrome, otherwise known as Autism Spectrum Disorder – Level 1. Tony has been a sole and joint author for a further 14 subsequent books published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Future Horizons Inc. and Guilford Press. He has also contributed to 38 research papers and 22 book chapters.
Dr Michelle Garnett PhD Dr Michelle Garnett is a clinical psychologist who has specialised in autism for 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 seven highly regarded books on autism, six with Prof Tony Attwood. Her most recent book, Autism Working: A Seven-Stage Plan to Thriving at Work lays out a practical plan for autistic adolescents and adults to thrive at work, including how to onboard an autistic employee. Her 2019 book with Barb Cook is a seminal work on the female presentation, Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism. She co-wrote Having Fun with Feelings on the Autism Spectrum and Ten Steps to Reducing Your Child’s Anxiety on the Autism Spectrum to provide guidance to parents of young autistic children. She runs a private practice in Brisbane, Australia, and regularly provides training in autism nationally and internationally.
