Autism Creating Readiness To Learn
With Richard Hirstwood and Chris Barson
20 April 2023: 9 am – 12 noon
This practical course breaks down the topic of creating readiness to learn for pupils with autism into three main sections. These are:
sensory differences and their impact on learning,
physical environments to support learners with autism and
finding and using appropriate resources to engage autistic learners more deeply in their learning
The focus in this session is on individualising and creating readiness to learn strategies for each pupil and embedding these in classroom practice.
9 am Admissions and virtual tea/coffee to start the session!
9.05 am Welcome & introduction to agenda. Let’s start with a warm up…
9.15 am Session 1: What impact do sensory differences in autism have on readiness to learn?
In this session, delegates will explore:
why learners with autism experience sensory differences
how these sensory differences affect their experience of your learning environment
how to identify an individual’s sensory differences
why a calm, low, disruption environment supports learning and teaching
practical observation skills to create an effective sensory profiling system
how to consistently provide an individual’s best learning environment
9.45 pm Follow-up Task: Using an effective sensory profiling system for consistent support
10 am Session 2: Available, accessible, appropriate – creating individualised safe sensory spaces
In this session, delegates will explore:
a set of tools to establish consistent prompts and routines to cue pupils into time to learn
strategies to empower your classroom team to respond quickly and decisively to recapture waning attention; to transition from one activity to another or to re-establish a low arousal environment
how to create a functional sensory regulation space
strategies to support pupils in using a sensory regulation space
10.30 am Follow-up Task: Small changes = big impact: using an audit to help recognise and identify sensory obstacles to learning in your classroom
10.45 am COFFEE BREAK and mini online learning course
11.10 am Discussion of key points from online learning course/ or environmental audit task
11.15 am Session 3: Resources to create readiness to learn – practical resources for maximum impact.
In this session, delegates will explore:
how to gather a unique set of pupil-specific resources designed to get a pupil primed for learning, to successfully and quickly engage in a learning task and to maintain concentration
strategies for calming and developing self-regulation skills
11.50 am Q and A
12 noon Plenary, thank you and goodbye!
This will be appropriate for classroom practitioners from special schools and colleges, mainstream settings with specialist SEN provision and early years settings, who are working with pupils with Autism.
Chris Barson founded Positive About Autism in January 2009. Before that he was External Training Manager for the National Autistic Society. Chris has a long involvement with disability and autism and first joined the National Autistic Society (NAS) in 1996 as a Project Officer in Wales on a Children in Need project reviewing short-term care provision.
After working with the NAS Regional Development Team promoting service development throughout the UK, Chris went to work at the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2000, where he managed Professional Development and Quality programmes. Chris rejoined NAS in 2004. Chris has contributed to the design and delivery of courses provided by Canterbury Christ Church University, and the University of Cumbria.
Chris is a contributing author to ‘The Autism Spectrum in the 21st Century: Exploring Psychology, Biology and Practice’ Jessica Kingsley Press 2010 (Highly Commended 2011 BMA Medical Book Awards).
Richard Hirstwood is passionate about enabling educators/practitioners to maximise the impact of delivering sensory learning opportunities, in a sensory room or other learning environments, with the available resources. His extensive experience is based on practical knowledge, giving him insight into what works and what doesn’t in multi sensory practice. Regular sessions with children and adults with autism and all additional needs in a variety of multi sensory and classroom settings enable him to maintain this excellent practice.
The following resources will be available in your account for one week after the course date: a digital recording of this event, any resources shared/signposted during the session and a transcript of Zoom chat.
Each place costs £75 plus VAT
You can choose to pay by credit card for this booking. You can also request an invoice by confirming your booking by entering a Purchase Order Number on the booking form.
To make a group booking, please select the number of places you wish to book using the drop down menu in the ‘Book event’ section. Select ‘next.’ Complete the requested fields and the name and email addresses of those wishing to attend. If you don’t know the email address for any delegate, you can email this to lois@hirstwood.com later.
“Practical ideas and a renewed understanding of sensory differences.”
“One of the best courses I have attended recently.”
“This course covers sensory issues, and it really changed my view of how a person with autism has sensorial needs.”
