This one- day course is available for Primary teachers. It explores the importance of developing social skills with pupils with ASD. Participants will focus on assessment, strategies and programmes which enhance the social skills development of the pupil with ASD.

Expected Outcomes

Participants will:
• Explore the importance of developing social skills
• Develop an understanding of how ASD effects the social skills development of pupils.
• Focus on the assessment of social skills
• Examine social skills programme development
• Discuss practical strategies and approaches which enable pupils with ASD to acquiring social skills
• Contribute to discussion during workshops.

Course Overview / Content

The seminar is divided into three parts:
1.  ASD and social skills development
2.  Approaches and strategies for teaching social skills and social skills programmes
3. A brief overview of Carol Gray’s Social Stories TM

This course is designed to provide information to the participant on;

• The importance of social skills development
• Social difficulties experienced by pupils with ASD and how these have an impact on the overall development of the pupil 
• Environmental social skills and social interaction skills
• Assessment and planning social skills programmes
• Collaboration and peer support 
• Pupil Passports and long-term social skills development 
• Focusing on particular skills and strategies to enhance social interaction
• Brief overview of Carol Gray’s Social Stories TM.

Information for Applicants

This course is available to;

• Teachers working in units/classes for student(s) with ASD in a mainstream setting
• Teachers in special schools who are currently working with student(s) with ASD
• Full-time Resource/Learning Support teachers who are currently working with student(s) with ASD.

Participants will require permission from the Board of Management to attend. Typically, substitution for this seminar will only be allowed to classroom teachers who have primary responsibility for students with a special educational need and if it is deemed absolutely essential by the principal.

Registration:  8.45 AM
Start:  9.15 AM
Finish:  3.15 PM
Refreshments and lunch will be provided.