Autism: a toolkit for sensory learning and environmental support
12 October: Part 1 Recorded session
2 November: Part 2 9 am – 12 noon
This two-part course explores ways to create a responsive, autism-friendly learning environment and appropriate sensory learning approaches driven by a personalised sensory profile. These are the three pillars of successful learning outcomes for your pupils with autism.
We know learners with autism have different sensory experiences of things. Sometimes their senses work too well, and sometimes not well enough. As a result, the impact of this sensory confusion in a busy classroom environment creates a barrier to learning.
Part One: Sensory learning and environmental support in the classroom
This session focuses on sensory differences in autism, identifying these on a sensory profile. We then look at the role of the environment in creating optimal individualised learning strategies for pupils with autism, introducing an environmental audit to use in your classroom.
In this first session, you will:
- explore how and why sensory differences in autism create classroom challenges for learners with autism
- plan sensory profiling – an efficient and accurate method to identify learner’s sensory learning strategies
- identify what an autism-friendly classroom looks like and the steps to create one
- discover a simple but powerful classroom audit which will support the development of a consistently enabling learning environment.
Part Two: engaging learners with autism: creating readiness to learn
This session includes creating readiness to learn for pupils with autism, individualising strategies for each learner and embedding these effectively and quickly in everyday classroom practice.
In this second session, you will:
- understand how to create and use a ‘low-arousal’ approach in the classroom
- explore the value of structured teaching for learners with autism
- identify and use personalised sensory strategies to facilitate engagement and access to learning
9 am Admissions and virtual tea/coffee to start the session!
9.05 am Welcome & introduction to agenda.
9.15 am Session 1: A sensory understanding of autism – Chris Barson
In this session, you will explore:
- the latest thinking on the sensory aspects of autism
- how and why the sensory differences and difficulties create classroom challenges
- what is meant by terms like ‘sensory needs’ and ‘sensory diets’
- getting the balance: positive and protective strategies for autistic learners
10 am Session 2: Creating a Positive Sensory Plan – Chris Barson and Richard Hirstwood
In this session, you will explore:
- how sensory profiles of autistic students inform great practice
- gathering evidence and curating observations from family, friends and staff
- short sensory activities and recording for evaluation
- how to put it all together – creating a unique sensory plan for your learner
- a monitoring and review structure
10.45 am COFFEE BREAK
11.00 Session 3: Autism-friendly environments and opportunities – Richard Hirstwood
In this session, you will explore:
- environmental audits, which are easy to do and incredibly effective
- a suggested environment audit to use
- the impact of adverse environmental elements on teaching, learning and behaviour.
- sensory ideas for schools and settings beyond the classroom
11.45 am Q and A and quick ideas!
12 noon Plenary, thank you and goodbye!
9.00 am Admission and virtual tea/coffee to start the session!
9.05 am Welcome & a warm up!
9.15 am Session 1: What does low arousal mean? – Chris Barson
In this session, you will learn:
what ‘low-arousal’ is and what it isn’t
low arousal ideas and strategies for communication, environment, learning and support
10.00 am Session 2: Available, accessible, appropriate: meeting sensory needs – Richard Hirstwood
In this session, you will learn:
- how to flexibly individualise the learning environment to support different needs and activities
- how to create safe spaces and know when and how to use them to re-establish calm
- how to engage, focus attention and motivate using sensory-based learning activities
- how to harness special interests and use them to increase engagement in learning
10.45 am COFFEE BREAK
11.00 am Session 3: Resources to help you create structured learning experiences for autistic Students – Carol Allen
In this session, you will discover:
- what structured teaching is and why autistic learners need it
- how to create a sensory focus in the learning environment
- what’s ‘now’ and ‘next’: ideas for visual timetables
- timers: low-tech and hi-tech
- sensory cues and clues for transition
- creating and using ‘Shoe Box’ ideas
11.45 am Q and A and quick ideas!
12 noon Plenary, thank you and goodbye!
This course will be appropriate for classroom practitioners from special schools and colleges, mainstream settings with specialist SEN provision and early years settings, and working with pupils with severe/complex learning needs and autism, or both.
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.
Carol Allen is an education advisor for ICT and Inclusion, currently offering specialised support to Local Authorities, schools, parents and carers and a wide range of educators worldwide. She has taught since 1980 in both mainstream schools – primary and high, and schools for students with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties. As an English specialist, she recognises that communication lies at the heart of all effective teaching. Accordingly, most of her work has centred on technology’s creative and engaging use to support communication in its broadest sense.
All the resources from this event will be in your account at online.hirstwood.com. You will access these using the email address on the booking form and your password (instructions in the joining information for creating your password.)
Here you will find:
a digital recording of the event
resources shared or signposted during the session
a transcript of the Zoom chat
your certificate of attendance
These will be available for 10 days after the event.
Each place costs £165 plus VAT.
You can pay by credit card for this booking or request an invoice on the booking form.
This live & online event now has a certificate of attendance to download!
This live & online event now has a dedicated Chat Room! Open the day before the event, chat with fellow delegates or tutors or ask questions. Open for ten days after the event.
NEW for Autumn 2023!
