General Workshops for Professionals

General Workshops for Professionals are designed to increase awareness and understanding of autism and will provide a range of practical strategies that may be beneficial when working with individuals on the spectrum in a range of settings. The general workshops are a useful introductory for people who have not attended previous Autism SA workshops.

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 Kate Exner, the Training and Development Consultant on 0421 326 710 or kexner@autismsa.org.au 

For Terms of Trade, please click here. 

Click here for more information on becoming an Associate/Ordinary Member.

Understanding Autism

This is a General Workshop for professionals who work with people on the autism spectrum and want a better understanding of autism to assist in improved outcomes for the people they support.
Presented by a consultant with many years’ experience supporting individuals on the spectrum, this session outlines the diagnostic criteria and explores the unique characteristics of autism including, Asperger’s syndrome.
Upon completion, participants will better understand the profile of an individual on the spectrum, including their strengths and challenges.
Throughout the workshop the presenter will use discussion, activities, videos and lived experiences to deliver information that will enhance the participant’s knowledge of people on the spectrum across all age groups.

Effective strategies when supporting a person with autism

This workshop helps participants learn how to use a range of social, communication, behavioural and sensory strategies to support individuals on the spectrum. Strategies are practical, relevant and evidence based.
Throughout the workshop the presenter will use discussion, activities, videos and lived experiences to deliver information that will enhance the participant’s knowledge of strategies, that are suitable for use in a range of environments for
individuals of any age.

Understanding autism and effective strategies for reception teachers

This is a General Workshop that has been developed for Reception teachers and educators who want a better understanding of autism and a range of effective strategies to support a new Reception student’s successful transition to school in 2019.

Transitioning to school is an important and complex step for all students. This workshop aims to support students with a positive start to schooling in 2019 by covering the following topics:

• Collecting and sharing information;
• Creating a student profile;
• Developing a relationship;
• Teaching school readiness skills;
• Setting up effective routines;
• Practical strategies to use in the classroom;
• Supporting the student’s well-being; and
• Developing support networks.

Throughout the workshop the presenter will use discussion, activities and videos to deliver information specific to Reception students starting school, that will enhance the participant’s knowledge of autism, with strategies to enable
them to provide effective support and increase inclusion.

2019 Autumn Conference Series: Using the Social Thinking Methodology to support Social Learning

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW:

Michelle Garcia Winner, the founder of Socially Thinking®, will teach those that support people with social emotional learning challenges to develop skills in how they interpret and respond to social information to better connect with others. Michelle will present practical strategies to improve social competencies that can be used immediately in the classroom, clinic, home and community.

The conference is set to be an engaging, interactive day where participants will be guided through a range of innovative socially based problem solving strategies that can be used with individuals with solid expressive and receptive language skills, in a range of settings.

Frameworks and strategies presented and demonstrated include;

• How to encourage the development of social competencies;
• 10 core Social Thinking Vocabulary Concepts such as ‘expected’ and ‘unexpected’ behaviours;
• Social Behaviour Maps and ME maps for self-protective, resistant learners; and
• The Double Interview and Thinking With Your Eyes.

Outcomes for participants and individuals include learning how they can support the development of four core factors in social learning: social attention, interpretation, problem solving tothen figure out social responses. Participants will develop skills to help people learn to process and respond to social information; which then promotes social self-regulation.

“Observing the social interactions of others is very helpful to me as I formulate how to interact myself. I’ve learned not everyone walks with their head down avoiding eye contact all of the time. I’ve learned when and how to smile. I’ve studied what makes a stranger seem approachable. In short, you have to know the rules of the game in order to play the game’. A quote from a 43-year-old engineer and student of Social Thinking’s Methodology 

‘Your program has given me the much needed tools to communicate in a meaningful way with my 9 year old son. Thank you. The stress level in our house has decreased along with the meltdowns. He is able to come out of the meltdowns much more readily. Thanks.’- Conference Attendee, Parent

Who should attend?

Educators, clinicians, professionals, parents, family members, individuals and anyone who supports a person on the spectrum will benefit from attending this conference. All participants will develop an appreciation that social capabilities are integral to a person’s success in life - socially, academically, and professionally.

PRESENTER PROFILE:

Michelle Garcia Winner is an internationally recognised speech pathologist from the United States and is the founder and CEO of Social Thinking®. Social Thinking is a company dedicated to helping individuals from across their lifespan to develop their social competencies to meet their personal social goals. Michelle is recognised as ‘...the leading expert in the field of social skills’ with more than 30 years’ experience working with individuals, families and professionals in the autism sector. Michelle is a prolific writer and has written and/or co-authored more than 40 books and over 100 research articles about the Social Thinking Methodology including; ‘Social Behaviour Mapping’; ‘Thinking about you, Thinking about Me?’; ‘You are a Social Detective’; and ‘Superflex: A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum”.

Michelle is known for her enthusiastic presentation style and ability to provide participants with real strategies that can make a difference in the school, home and community setting.

"...one of my favorite authors in the field of teaching emotional intelligence. Michelle Garcia Winner has pioneered some very helpful ways of conceptualising and helping educators understand the social challenges that students on the autism spectrum face." - Stephan Borgman, 2010, Psychology Today, ‘Spectrum Solutions’ 

PROGRAM:

8.30-9.25am – Registration

9.30-9.45am- Conference opening

9.45-10.30am- Social Think’s Social Competency Model

10.30-10.50am- Morning Tea

10.50am-12.30pm- Exploring two different types of informal dynamic assessment tasks

12.30-1.10pm- Lunch

1.10-2.30pm- Exploring 10 core Social Thinking Vocabulary concepts

2.30-2.50pm- Afternoon Tea

2.50-3.45pm- A Core Social Thinking Treatment Framework: Social Behavior Mapping and Me Maps

3.45-4.00pm- Conference Closing

4.15-4.30pm- Book Signing

Understanding autism and effective strategies for secondary teachers

This is a General Workshop that has been developed for Secondary Teachers who want a better understanding of autism and a range of effective strategies to support students on the autism spectrum.

The session acknowledges that the high school journey is very different to that of the primary school journey. The skills and attitudes developed in high school will set a foundation for post school opportunities, making support in the high
school years so important. The session has been developed by an experienced autism consultant who has worked as a high school teacher. The topics covered will give educators the knowledge, and practical skills, to effectively support students
on the spectrum at high school.

Topics include:
• Understanding the autism spectrum;
• The typical learner profile of students on the spectrum;
• Organisation and self-management strategies;
• Curriculum differentiation;
• Enhancing communication;
• Developing social understanding;
• Proactively reducing interfering behaviours; and
• Understanding sensory processing and the impact on the student.

Throughout the workshop the presenter will use discussion, activities and videos to deliver information specific to secondary students, that will enhance the participant’s knowledge of autism, and strategies to enable them to provide effective
support and increase inclusion.

Understanding autism and effective strategies for primary school teachers

This is a General Workshop that has been developed for primary school teachers who want a better understanding of autism and a range of effective strategies to support students in the educational setting. Presented by professionals with
significant experience in working in the primary setting with children with autism, the topics covered include:

• Understanding autism;
• Developing a relationship and creating a student profile;
• Setting up inclusive classroom environments;
• Instructional approaches;
• Strategies for classroom management;
• Understanding sensory processing and the impact on a student; and
• Whole class approaches.

Throughout the workshop the presenter will use discussion, activities and videos to deliver information specific to teachers in the primary years, that will enhance the participant’s knowledge of autism, and strategies to enable them
to provide effective support and inclusion.

Understanding autism and effective strategies to support for SSOs/ESOs

This is a General Workshop that has been developed for SSO’s and ESO’s who want a better understanding of autism, and a range of effective strategies to use when supporting a student on the spectrum.

Supporting a student on the autism spectrum can be both challenging and very rewarding.
This workshop recognises the important role of SSO’s and ESO’s within the educational sector.
The program allows time for participants to share their ideas and successes, and network with other participants. 

Presented by professionals with significant experience working with children on the autism
spectrum the topics covered include:

• Understanding autism;
• Developing a relationship and creating a student profile;
• The role of support staff;
• Evidence based teaching strategies when working 1:1, in small groups and supporting in the classroom;
• Increasing student engagement;
• Effective behaviour management strategies when working 1:1, in groups and in the classroom;
• Addressing sensory needs; and
• How to look after your own needs on the job!

Throughout the workshop the presenter will use discussion, activities and videos to deliver information specific to support staff working with students at both primary and secondary school, that will enhance the participant’s knowledge of
autism, and strategies to enable them to provide effective support and inclusion.

Understanding autism and effective strategies for early years professionals

This is a General Workshop which has been developed for early years professionals, including preschool, kindergarten or childcare educators who want a better understanding of autism and a range of effective strategies to
support children on the autism spectrum. 

Presented by a consultant with significant experience in working in the early years setting, the topics covered include:

• Understanding autism;
• The early indicators of autism;
• The diagnostic process in SA;
• Services and support available;
• Setting up successful transitions;
• Setting up supportive environments;
• How to teach a new skill;
• Positive behaviour support strategies;
• Identifying and supporting sensory needs; and
• Case studies.

Throughout the workshop the presenter will use discussion, activities and videos to deliver information specific to the early years setting that will enhance participant’s knowledge of autism, and strategies that enable
them to provide effective support and inclusion for children with autism.

Autism Short Course

In celebration of Autism Awareness Month, this professional development opportunity has been created for professionals who want to gain an advanced, comprehensive understanding of autism, and develop skills in using evidence
informed strategies to support people with autism.

Over three days, experienced professionals from across Autism SA, including the Research Manager, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and Behaviour Consultants will present the latest research, the most effective evidence
based strategies, and innovative approaches relating to the autism field. Participants will leave the short course with the skills and knowledge to effectively support people on the autism spectrum across the lifespan in
a range of settings.

Understanding autism and effective strategies for relief teachers

This is a General Workshop that has been developed for Relief Teachers who want a better understanding of autism, and provides a broad range of effective strategies to use when supporting a student on the spectrum.

This session acknowledges that it might be challenging working as a Relief Teacher, entering a classroom with a student on the spectrum. However we recognise that it might be extremely challenging also for
the student having a Relief Teacher coming into their classroom! In this session, we will focus on developing an understanding of why this can be so difficult for a student on the spectrum and provide strategies
that can be quickly adapted and applied when resources and time are limited. The topics covered will give Relief Teachers the knowledge and practical skills to effectively support students on the spectrum.

Topics include:

• What autism can look and sound like in the classroom;
• Key areas of strengths and challenges;
• Key strategies and how to adapt them quickly;
• How to establish which strategies are used within the class;
• Key resources to have in your tool kit;
• Preventing meltdowns; and
• ‘In the moment’ strategies.

Throughout the workshop the presenter will use discussion, activities and videos to deliver information specific to Relief Teachers, that will enhance the participant’s knowledge of autism with strategies to enable
them to provide effective support and inclusion.

Understanding autism and effective strategies to support in the OSHC setting

This is a General Workshop that has been developed for staff who work in Out of School Hours Care (OHSC) settings (including before and after school, and vacation care) who want a better understanding of autism, and
to learn a broad range of effective strategies to use when supporting students on the spectrum.

This workshop will increase participants’ knowledge, understanding and skills when supporting students on the spectrum. The session also provides an opportunity to develop professional skills and networks.
The presenter will cover a range of topics specifically relevant to the OSHC setting including:

• Understanding the autism spectrum and what this looks/sounds like in the OSHC setting;
• Setting up the environment, rules and routines;
• How to effectively communicate;
• Supporting peer relations and inclusion;
• Behaviour management strategies specifically for the OSHC setting;
• Supporting regulating: and
• ‘In the moment’ strategies.

Throughout the workshop the presenter will use discussion, activities and videos to deliver information specific for OSHC staff, that will enhance the participant’s knowledge of autism, and teach strategies to
enable them to provide effective support, inclusion and outcomes.

Understanding the Autism Spectrum

This is a must for anyone who lives or works with an individual on the autism spectrum.  Presented by experienced consultants with years of experience working with people on the spectrum, this workshop outlines the diagnostic criteria and explores the unique characteristics of autism.  Participants will begin to understand the profile of an individual on the spectrum including their strengths and challenges.  Personal insights are provided using reading, videos and activities