Making Sense of Autism
Synopsis
A one-day conference suitable for teachers, teacher assistants, practitioners and parents/carers. The conference includes key note presentations by experts in autism research, participant discussions, and hands-on activities.
Overview
Autism can be hugely variable, from one child to the next, and there is much about how autistic children learn best that we do not yet understand. The combination of this variability and uncertainty often makes it very difficult for educators to know how best to support autistic children in their classrooms. Myths and misunderstandings abound, with even experienced teachers often finding themselves relying on unreliable sources for their information about what works best for each individual child.
This one-day conference will consider and discuss what we can do in the face of this confusion, and how teachers can gain the useful information they need in order to help autistic students in their classrooms. More specifically we will cover:
- Up-to-date scientific knowledge of what we know about autism
- Information on the ways that autistic children can present differently in classroom contexts, depending on their own specific characteristics and the classroom environment
- Insight into how these differences might impact upon their learning
- Recommendations for how educators can best support autistic children, in partnership with their families
Details
Date: Face-to-face presentations / workshops will be held on Friday, 3 December 2018, 9:00am- 3:30pm (5.5 hrs excluding lunch)
Online:
Participants are required to complete an online reflective experience about their personal experience prior to the conference (1 hr). Participants will also be required to complete an online feedback and reflection post conference (o.5 hrs). The online activities are compulsory for teachers. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate.
Registration Fee:
Teachers: AUD 350 (GST incl.). Enrol on this page.
Others: Eligible for a 30% discount. Contact us at acpde@mq.edu.au to enrol.
Further info: https://mqcc.brightspace.com/course/21/making-sense-of-autism-abnacn-90952801237-gst-incl
Please see Terms of Use & Enrolment
Schedule
Time | Activity |
---|---|
9:00am – 9:15am | Registration |
9:15am – 10:00am | Talk by Prof. Liz Pellicano on “Making sense of autism”. During this initial talk, Prof. Pelican will provide an introduction to up-to-date scientific knowledge about autism, with special focus on autism in the classroom. |
10:00am – 10:45am | Group-based activity related to sensory differences.
|
10:45am – 11:15am | Coffee/tea break – Opportunity to network |
11:15am – 12:00pm | Talk by Dr. Wenn Lawson on “Attending to individual children’s needs”. Dr. Lawson will hi light the importance of developing trusting – interdependent – connections between teachers and autistic students to understand their specific needs and strengths. |
12:00pm – 1:00pm | Case-study discussion groups. This group-based activity will allow attendees to discuss one of 5 key case scenarios of pupils relevant to their stage (early years, primary, secondary), which details a challenging situation, and, in particular, to consider possible ways of managing the situation and supporting the students’ learning. |
1:00pm – 1:45pm | Lunch – opportunity to network |
1:45pm – 3:00pm | Talk by Dr. Amanda Tattersall on “Promoting parent-teacher relationships”. Dr. Tattersall will consider the importance of developing strong relationships with families, which is critical in promoting the learning and wellbeing of autistic children and young people – both from a personal perspective (as a parent of a young child on the autism spectrum) and from her internationally recognised research expertise in community organising. |
3:00pm – 3:30pm | Whole group reflection and further clarifying questions. Establishment of ongoing networking opportunities. Thank you and close. |