Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (full-day)

Develop your knowledge and skills in supporting people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

The course will enable delegates to gain understanding of Autistic Spectrum Disorder and differentiate between behaviors that arise from an individual’s personality or life experience and those that are directly due to their disability. Therefore looking into communication skills, structure teaching programs and gain practical ideas on how deal with challenging behaviors and improve support and reduce stress levels of people with autism.

Course Structure:

Introduction and welcome

Explanation of course
Tutor introduction to delegates (background)

Aims

The aims of the course are:

1. To be able to recognise and understand the definition of ASD (refresher)

2. To understand and explore three key areas of social skill (relating skills; communication skills; imagination & understanding)

3. To develop practical skills when supporting people with autism in areas of communication, managing change to minimise stress, and reducing obsessions and rituals.

4. To enhance the quality of life for service users, carers and families

5. Understanding the diagnosis and assessment of a service user with ASD

6. The participants will demonstrate their understanding of how it impacts the individual and those supporting service users with ASD

7. The participants will examine a range of contemporary approaches to communication, support and personal development for people with autism.

8. The participants will examine strategies for responding to ritualistic/compulsive as well as dealing with Challenging behaviors

9. The participants will identify potential means of support and help in relation to structure and routine.

10. In-depth knowledge of promoting independence and social inclusion of service users with ASD

11. An insight into the current and inivative ways of looking at the therapies and interventions in place for service users with ASD

12. Strategies and tools to prevent and manage difficult and challenging behaviour

13. Increased understanding of the causes of behaviour

14. Ideas and approaches for supporting service users

15. The confidence to develop your own strategies for supporting service users

Teaching Methods

The course involves several activities to support the learning and development aspects of this course and can be delivered by a variety of teaching methods including: presentation; small group discussion; whole group discussion; individual work; case studies and handouts. Alternatively elements of the course can be developed into interactive day workshops.

Course Evaluation