An Introduction to Autism, Post Primary

Course Description

The seminar is designed for Post-Primary Principals and teachers who are currently working with a child diagnosed as having Autism. The seminar provides an understanding of Autism and how this impacts the pupil’s ability to learn and develop social skills. It also focuses on assessment and strategies to enable inclusion and to access to the curriculum.

Anticipated Outcomes

Participants will:

• Develop an understanding of Autism & the challenges pupils with Autism can experience in schools

• Examine the unique learning styles of pupils with Autism

• Discuss assessment and practical strategies to enable the inclusion of pupils with Autism

•  Engage in the practice of planning for pupils with Autism

• Explore methods to support pupils in acquiring social and life skills

• Develop an understanding of approaches & strategies for eliminating challenging behaviour and developing adaptive behaviours

Course Outline and Content

• Overview of Autism and the challenges experienced by the pupil with Autism.

• Educational consequences of Autism

• Positive practice within a whole school approach for inclusion

• Functions of Assessment and what to assess#

• Formal/informal/differentiated assessment

• Understanding challenging behaviour and strategies to develop adaptive skills

• Discussion of strategies for focused interventions

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 classroom 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.