Lunchtime Learning Programme 06.01.26 - 26.05.26

Understanding Monotropism: Supporting Autistic Students' Focused Attention

Monotropism, the ability to focus intensely on a limited range of interests, is a key aspect of many autistic individuals' experiences. This webinar will provide educators with insights into monotropism and practical strategies to support autistic students' focused attention, enhancing their learning and well-being.

Understand the concept of monotropism and its significance in the context of autism.

Explore how monotropism manifests in autistic students and the unique strengths and challenges it presents.

Discover strategies to harness students' focused interests to enhance engagement and learning.

Learn how to balance students' intense interests with curriculum requirements, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience.

Implement practical approaches to create a classroom environment that respects and supports students' focused attention.

Understanding Interoception in Autistic Students

Interoception, the sense of the internal state of the body, plays a crucial role in how we understand and respond to our physical and emotional needs. This webinar will provide educators with insights into interoception and its significance for autistic students, offering practical strategies to support their interoceptive awareness and overall well-being.

Understand the concept of interoception and its importance in daily functioning and emotional regulation.

Explore how interoception can be different in autistic individuals and the challenges they may face.

Learn to identify signs of interoceptive difficulties in students and understand their impact on behaviour and learning.

Discover strategies to help students develop better interoceptive awareness, including mindfulness practices, body awareness activities, and sensory supports.

Implement practical approaches to create a classroom environment that supports interoceptive development and emotional regulation.

Understanding Alexithymia in the Context of Supporting Autistic Students

This session will provide an overview of alexithymia, highlighting how students may encounter difficulties in recognising, identifying, understanding, and communicating their emotions. Education practitioners will explore the impact of alexithymia on emotional expression, with a focus on identifying key indicators. The discussion will also centre on effective supports for students within an inclusive supportive learning and teaching environment.

Understanding and Addressing Autistic Masking in the Classroom

Autistic masking, where individuals hide their true selves to fit in, can have significant impacts on students' well-being and learning experiences. This training session will provide educators with insights into autistic masking and practical strategies to create a supportive environment that encourages authenticity and reduces the need for masking.

Understand the concept of autistic masking, why it occurs, and its potential effects on students.

Learn how to identify signs of masking in the classroom and understand the challenges it presents.

Explore the emotional and psychological impacts of masking on autistic students.

Discover strategies to create an inclusive and accepting classroom environment that reduces the need for masking.

Implement practical approaches to support students in expressing their true selves, including promoting self-advocacy and providing appropriate accommodations.

Understanding and Supporting Students with Autistic Fatigue.

This Lunchtime Learning session will focus on understanding Autistic Fatigue, including its causes and effects on students. Autistic fatigue is characterised by extreme tiredness and low energy, frequently resulting from sensory overload, social interactions, and the effort required to mask their authentic autistic self.

During the session, we will review the typical signs of autistic fatigue, which may include increased irritability, withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, and a decline in academic performance. We will also discuss strategies to support individual students and explore how to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Understanding and Preventing Autistic Burnout

This session is intended to assist educators in understanding and supporting students experiencing autistic burnout, which can be characterised by physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion typically resulting from prolonged stress and sensory overload.

The session will cover identifying signs and explore effective, practical approaches to support affected students.

Empowering Autistic Students Through Self-Advocacy

Empowering autistic students to advocate for themselves is crucial for their independence and confidence. This webinar will provide educators with the tools and strategies needed to support and encourage self-advocacy among autistic students, helping them to express their needs and preferences effectively.

We will;

• Learn what self-advocacy is and why it is important for autistic students.
• Discover techniques to help students build confidence in expressing their needs and making decisions.
• Explore ways to support students in developing effective communication skills, including the use of visual supports and alternative communication methods.
• How to create an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages self-advocacy.
• Review practical examples of self-advocacy in action.

Navigating Transitions: Supporting Autistic Students Through Change.

This session will focus on the different types of transitions experienced by autistic students, ranging from daily routine changes to major life events such as changing schools. We will review how these transitions can impact students, potentially leading to increased anxiety and stress. Research indicates that facilitating successful transitions is essential for the overall well-being and academic achievement of autistic students.

We will explore practical approaches to support autistic students during transitions, including the use of visuals, providing advance notice of changes, and establishing a predictable and structured environment.