Who is this module for?
This module is for anyone working in a school environment, whether they be teachers ,learning support assistants, school meals supervisors, school business managers, site staff or office staff. This module would also be suitable for taxi drivers and school escorts.
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 neurodivergent pupils, including the creation and use of a One Page Profile.
The aims
The aims of this module are:
- To extend your understanding of how autism affects pupils in school.
- To increase your expertise in recognising a pupil’s individual strengths and differences.
- To develop your skills in identifying barriers to learning for autistic pupils.
- To develop your understanding of what reasonable adjustments need to be made to support autistic pupils in their setting.
Learning objectives
After completing the module, you will be able to:
- Approach autism as a difference rather than as a deficit
- Recognise the three areas of difference for autistic pupils and the importance of identifying strengths and differences
- Listen to and learn from the perspectives of autistic pupils and their parents/carers
- Reflect on their practice and implement reasonable adjustments to support autistic pupils.
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
Internal training at Medeshamstede Academy in Making sense of Autism, after completing this training staff will be able to:
•Understand the importance of getting to know the pupil as an individual.
•Approach autism as a difference rather than as a disorder or impairment.
•Understand the importance of identifying the strengths and needs of autistic pupils.
•Understand how three areas of difference can affect autistic pupils.
•Appreciate how important it is to listen to and learn from the perspectives of
autistic pupils.
•Reflect on and implement reasonable adjustments to support autistic pupils you work with.
•Understand the importance of one-page profiles (Pupil Passports) and how to collect information to create them.