Who is this module for?
This module is for anyone working in an Early Years environment. This module is suitable for a range of workers, including, for example: nursery managers, teachers, Early Years practitioners, play group assistants, nursery assistants, child care workers, office staff and lunch time staff.
Description
This module is an awareness-raising module that introduces autism and the areas of difference, which can include: Social Understanding and Communication, Flexibility, Information Processing and Understanding and Sensory Processing and Integration, among other things. We explore areas of difference in terms of strengths and support needs and identify some initial reasonable adjustments that need to be considered when supporting autistic pupils, including the creation and use of a OnePage Profile.
The aims
The aims of Making sense of autism in the Early Years are:
- Extend delegates’ understanding of how autism affects pupils in the Early Years
- Increase delegates’ expertise in recognising an autistic child’s individual strengths and differences
- Develop delegates’ skills in identifying barriers to learning for autistic children
- Develop delegates’ understanding of what reasonable adjustments need to be made to support an autistic child in their setting
Learning objectives
After completing ‘Making Sense of Autism in the Early Years', you will be able to:
- Approach autism as a difference rather than as a deficit or disorder
- Recognise the three areas of difference for autistic children and the importance of identifying strengths and differences.
- Listen to and learn from the perspectives of autistic children and their parents/carers
- Reflect on their professional practice and implement reasonable adjustments to support autistic children.
Session length
This training module is designed to be used flexibly, with trainers using the time available in the way that best suits their audience.We have provided a training module and materials that can be covered in a 90-minute session using the core slides but there is more content available for the trainer to adapt and use in an extended session.
Course details:
The making sense of autism training will giving you a better understanding and awareness of autism and the way it affects early years children.
Basic autism awareness training for all staff working in the EYFS. This includes teachers and teaching assistants in Foundation Stage, nursery and pre-school practitioners and childminders,
All participants will be able to:
- Identify the three key areas of difference that need to be taken into account.
- Know the importance of understanding the individual pupil and their profile of strengths and areas for development.
- Identify the key areas to help pupils on the autism spectrum build positive relationships with staff, peers, families and people in their community.
- Develop an awareness of the sensory and communication differences that pupils may experience.
This training is also suitable to raise awareness of staff who need to have an awareness of autism in their role, but who may not work directly with children with autism.
The training uses a range of teaching tools to form an essential part of your continued professional development: VIDEO, CASE STUDIES, SCENARIO'S, PRESENTATIONS, RESOURCES, ACTIVITIES
Making Sense of Autism is designed to give you a better understanding and awareness of autism and the way it affects children in early years settings. It is suitable for practitioners from all types of settings, working with children of any ability, up to 5 years old.
Trainer:
Early Years SEND team and Communication and Interaction Team