8: Autism 101: Creating an Autism Friendly Learning Environment | 2024
How to create a learning environment where all children, including children with autism, can thrive and learn
Inclusive teaching requires an array of skills, not least of which is helping children with different needs. The aim of this EPV course is to use the Actualise Academy Model of Neuroscience, Clinical/Emotional Psychology and Behavioural Science to introduce teachers to the cognitive, emotional and behavioural factors that can contribute to maximising the learning experience of students with Autism at school.
The course focuses on practical strategies that you can use not only at work, but in all aspects of your life.
Topics covered include understanding how autism is diagnosed, how to set up an autism-friendly environment, how to consider sensory needs and teaching skills using Applied Behaviour Analysis.
Our comprehensive lesson plans and resources provide you and your learners with the skills to overcome challenges and thrive both at home and in school. The aim of this course is to use the Actualise Academy Model of Neuroscience, Clinical/Emotional Psychology and Behavioural Science to introduce Teachers to the various mechanisms and actions that can help all children in your classroom.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Here is a list of the modules in this course, with the learning outcomes of each. We also build in School Self Evaluation into all courses, making the SSE Process as smooth as possible:
Module 1: What is Autism. Participants will learn
- Diagnostic criteria of ASD
- Perceptions of ASD in society
- Features of Autism
Module 2: Setting Up An ASD-Friendly Environment 1. Participants will:
- The important features of an ASD friendly environment
- Physical Environmental Accommodations
- How interactions & visual supports create a total communication approach
- How routines, schedules and rituals can be used to build predictability
- Changes to school-work & activities to improve
Module 3: Setting Up An ASD-Friendly Environment 2.
- Continuation of Module 2
Module 4: Considering Sensory Needs. Participants learn:
- The impact of over-stimulation
- Impact of under-stimulation
- Consider sensations through all 7 senses through the prism of autism
- Adaptations for students
Module 5: Teaching Skills Using Applied Behaviour Analysis. Participants will:
- Be introduced to the fundamentals of teaching using ABA, DTT, NET
- Consider the role of prompts and reinforcement
- Consider & use task analysis as a method for teaching complex skill
Additional Resources Available With This Course:
Additional resources include lesson plans, classroom schedules, an ASD Guide, subject cards, and much more.
" Thank you for all your hard work. Course was excellent and comfortably the most interesting one I have done."
- Ms. Una Ryan
Your Instructor
Pádraig Walsh BA, MSc, BCBA, A.F.Ps.S.I. is Actualise Academy's Behaviour Specialist. He is intrigued by people, their behaviour and his expertise lies in helping people to understand why we do what we do. His range of knowledge and experience is diverse, working with both children and adults across educational, clinical and residential settings. He is a regular contributor on RTÉ Radio and as Behavioural Psychologist for The 6 O'Clock Show on Virgin Media 1.
Pádraig qualified with a Masters in Applied Behaviour Analysis after completing his degree in Psychology (both at NUI Galway). He has worked as a Behaviour Specialist for organisations across Ireland as well as working for 2 years in Melbourne, Australia as a consultant to an early intervention clinic for children. Pádraig has presented his research extensively at conferences on the effectiveness of Positive Behaviour Support in Ireland, Australia, Singapore and the UK. He is part of the MSc (ABA) interview panel at NUI Galway and also lectures on the MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis in NUI Galway and on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in the University of Limerick.
Pádraig is the founder of the podcast series All About Dis' exploring disability issues in Ireland today. You can find the episodes on iTunes and on Soundcloud. Having spent most of his early life playing GAA in his native Westmeath, Pádraig has more recently discovered his artistic side performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with his Improv group Kirsty.