Autism and Early Life Skills

Early Years: Autism and Early Life Skills
Functional life skills for the young child relates to the child taking care of his or her body and belongings.  The development of these foundation skills is important as they help the young child with autism  become more independent and confident at home and in school.  Motivating the young child with autism to develop fundamental functional skills can be difficult and challenging because of the child’s restricted repertoire of interests and skills needed for learning. This training will identify key skills and effective practical strategies that parents and carers can use to develop and these progress. 

Expected Outcomes
Parents and Carers will:
• Understand why the development of practical functional skills is important for the young child with autism's independence.
• Develop understanding of how modelling impacts on learning and skill development for the young child with autism. 
• Explore signs of readiness and how using visual support strategies can progress early functional skill development.

Course Overview
• Explore what practical skills the child with autism needs to develop for independence in the home and school setting.
• Work in partnership with the Early Years educational professionals to ensure consistency, thus optimising potential development and independent success.
• Practical strategies on how to assess readiness, devise plans and implement practical strategies to support development of these early daily functions.