Summary Description

This is a one day seminar suitable for Post Primary teachers working with students with Autism.

This course explores the concept of differentiation and offers useful approaches and strategies to enable access to the curriculum for the pupil with Autism. It gives the teacher information on challenges experienced by the pupil with Autism in an educational setting. It also provides an overview of assessment and differentiation for pupils with Autism within the key areas of literacy, numeracy and social skills. Emphasis is placed upon appropriate inclusive practices.

It is expected that participants will already have completed a seminar/course or have had training in Autism, prior to attending this course.

Anticipated Outcomes

Participants will

• Understand the challenges to teaching and learning presented by Autism

• Explore the concept of differentiation as a means of access to the curriculum

• Understand the concepts of adapting curriculum content, process and product

• Focus on relevant assessment tools

• Understand strategies and approaches within the key areas of literacy, numeracy and social skills

Course Outline and Content

• Inclusive Practices

• The role of the Special Class and Special Education Teachers

• Autism and the challenges presented to the student with Autism

• Barriers to accessing the curriculum

• Challenging Behaviours

• The curriculum and curricular areas

• Assessments

• Transition

• Differentiation of content, process and product

• Autism Specific teaching approaches

• Development of Literacy, Numeracy and Social Skills

• Workshops to facilitate reflection and discussion

Information for Applicants

The course is open to

• Teachers working in classes for student(s) with Autism in a mainstream setting
• Teachers in Special Schools who are currently working with student(s) with Autism
• Full-time Special Education Teachers who are currently working with student(s) with Autism
• Participants will require permission from the Board of Management to attend. Typically, substitution for this seminar will only be allowed to subject teachers with primary responsibility for students with a special educational need and if it is deemed absolutely essential by the Principal
• Typically substitution will only be allocated to non - substitute teachers
• Payment is not available to teachers in a substitute capacity

Refreshments and lunch will be provided.