General Workshops for Families

General Family Workshops are presented to a group of participants and aim to develop participants understanding of a particular area relating to the autism spectrum. Presented by experienced professionals from across different teams within the organisation, participants will develop a greater understanding through these interactive, engaging and practical workshops. For Free sessions, participants must be either on the autism spectrum or a family member of someone on the spectrum. 

NDIS funding may be used to access these workshops. Please complete the questions relating to your participants NDIS Plan when registering. 

In order to use NDIS funding to access these workshops you must have 'Improved Daily Living Skills' or 'CB Daily Living' listed as a support item within your, or your child's, NDIS plan. The plan must have a budget allocated to this line, and the plan must be valid until after the workshop.

Venue:

NETLEY- 1/262 Marion Road, Netley, Adelaide, South Australia

ELIZABETH- 57 Elizabeth Way, Elizabeth, Adelaide, South Australia 

(unless stated otherwise)

For assistance in registering please contact Emma Bennett, Training, Consultancy and Research Officer on 8462 0658 or ebennett@autismsa.org.au 

For further information regarding the content of the sessions please contact Lexie Dryden, the Training and Consultancy Coordinator on 0421 326 710 or ldryden@autismsa.org.au 

For Terms of Trade, please click here. 

Workshop summaries:

An introduction to the autism spectrum for families and carers                                     

This workshop is a great starting point for families of people newly diagnosed or as a refresher for families who have had a family member diagnosed for some time, and of any age. During this session you will learn more about the characteristics of the autism spectrum as well as some strategies that can assist an individual on the spectrum.

The presenter will also go over some of the service and funding options available to individuals on the spectrum and their families.

Upon completion, participants will have a better understanding of the profile of a person with autism, including their strengths and challenges, and a clearer pathway for implementation of strategies and services. This workshop also offers an opportunity to meet other parents of individuals on the autism spectrum and reminds parents and carers of the importance of looking after themselves too! The content is appropriate for parents, grandparents and other family members who play a significant role in the life of a person who has autism and wish to know more.

Supporting girls on the autism spectrum

Girls on the spectrum often present with a different profile from that of their male peers and are four times less likely to be diagnosed on the autism spectrum than boys. This can often mean that girls on the spectrum are also misunderstood, and don’t receive the most appropriate supports for their particular needs.

This session looks at a range of topics including:

• Differences in making a diagnosis;
• Passions and interests;
• Social and communication skills;
• Developing friendship skills;
• Internal anxiety and depression;
• Using their strengths to build selfesteem;
• Bullying; and
• Menstruation and dating.

Supporting your child through high school  

This workshop is specifically designed for parents who have a child currently attending high school, or starting high school in 2020.  This session will be presented by an Autism Consultant with experience in teaching in the high school setting.

The following topics to be covered in the session include:

• What to expect;
• Who to talk to at high school;
• What support your child might be eligible to access at school;
• Preparing your child for the transition from primary to high school;
• Creating and implementing systems to support academic expectations – learning new routines, use of organisational folders, assignment break down, and recording homework;
• Bullying prevention and strategies;
• Anxiety and stress management;
• What to do if things are not going well; and
• Post school pathways – transition from school to tertiary study/employment/other e.g Day Options.

Supporting your child through primary school  

This workshop is specifically designed for parents who have a child currently attending primary school, or starting primary school in 2020. This session will be presented by an Autism Consultant with prior experience in teaching and supporting students on the spectrum in the classroom.

The following topics to be covered:

• What schooling options are available;
• What to expect;
• Who to talk to at school;
• What support your child might be eligible to access at school;
• What to consider when looking at schools;
• Teaching school readiness skills;
• Preparing your child for the transition into Primary School or changing schools;
• Creating and implementing systems to support academic expectations – such as learning new routines, use of organisational folders, assignment break down, and recording homework;
• Bullying prevention and strategies;
• Supporting transitions and separation anxiety; and
• What to do if things are not going well.

Supporting wellbeing and resilience

Mental health issues are often significant for autistic individuals and well-being and resilience play a vital role in reducing and minimising mental health issues. Resilience refers to the ability to recover from a disappointment,
and well-being encompasses one’s happiness, health and welfare. This session looks at:

• Well-being and resilience in relation to characteristics of autism;
• Impact this can have on a person; and
• Supports and strategies to improve well-being and resilience.

Throughout the workshop the presenter will use discussion, activities and videos to deliver information on these topics that will enhance the attendee’s knowledge of supporting well-being and resilience for people that are autistic, and enable them to provide effective support to their child on the spectrum.

Tackling the Tough Topics

This session aims to empower families and carers to be able to cover some of the topics that come hand in hand with growing up! It will give you strategies to support learning and development in the difficult areas of: public vs private, hygiene, puberty, menstruation, masturbation and all different types of relationships.

2020 Autism Conference Series - Achieving Meaningful Inclusion

PRESENTER PROFILE

Dr Stephen Shore is an internationally renowned educator, consultant, and author of lifespan issued in the area of education, realationships, employment, and self-advocacy.  Currently the Professor of Special Education at Adelphi University in America, he is known for his ground-breaking work in the autism field.  Stephen is also now a powerful autistic advocate for the wider community.

Diagnosed with "Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies" and "too sick" for outpatient treatment, Dr. Shore was recommended for institutionalisation. With minimal speech until 4, with the support from his parents, teachers, wife, and others, Stephen is now a full-time professor at Adelphi University and adjunct at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

In addition to working with students and speaking about life on the autism spectrum, he has published a range of books including his most recent book, ‘College for Students with Disabilities’, combining personal stories and research for promoting success in higher education.

Stephen currently holds a number of Board positions including for the Organization for Autism Research (OAR), President Emeritus of the Asperger/Autism Network, and advisory board member of the Autism Society, Dr. Shore also serves on the advisory boards for Asperger’s Association of New England, and other autism related organisations.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Eductators, clinicians, professionals, parents, family members, individuals and anyone who supports a person on the spectrum will benefit from attending the conference.  Participants will leave the conference with practical strategies to hand to support individuals in making fulfilling and productive lives the rule rather than the exception.

EVENT DETAILS

Stephen shares his belief that a student’s strengths and interests are integral to the school experience. He challenges educators to find creative ways to recognise and incorporate these passions.

Three A's of Autism: Awareness to Acceptance to Appreciation as a pathway to fulfilling and productive lives.

An autobiographical stracture, combining experiences of others on the autism spectrum, in making fulfilling and productive lives for individuals with autism the rule rather than the exception, will be used to charge participants to reframe their thinking away from disorder and deficit towards seeking abilities based on indivdual strengths.

Special Ways and Techniques (SWAT) for achieving meaningful inclusion

Through the development and use of educational accommodations as extensions of good teaching practice, participants will learn easy to implement, practical solutions for including individuals with autism.

Senses and Sensibilities: An inside view on recognising and supporting individuals with sensory issues

The variation in perception of sensory stimuli for many with autism often causes great discomfort and the information received may not even be usable. The aim of this presentation is to enable individuals, and those close to them, to avoid and minimise the effect of sensory overload through easy to implement solutions.

Self-advocacy and disclosure for people on the autism spectrum

Beginning with a definition of self-advocacy and a process for considering disclosure, participants will learn the importance of gaining self-awareness, communication skills, and procedures to effectively educate people with autism on obtaining accommodation and greater mutual understanding.  Material from this workshop can be used to enable people with autism to reach their potential in employment, education, relationships, interdependent living, and in the community.