Key Topics, Post Primary. Introduction to Autism, examining Communication differences

Introduction to autism and understanding communication differences:

This session will look at the characteristics of autism and consider the autistic young person’s daily life and development. This session will consider how autism can impact the adolescent years and how autistic teenagers may think and learn. Strategies that may benefit when engaging with, supporting, and teaching an autistic teenager will also be explored. Additionally, this session will look at communication differences and how communication involves a complex range of both verbal and non-verbal elements. Autistic people often communicate in a different way to non-autistic people and will each have their own communication style and preferences. When these differences are not understood or accommodated, autistic people can experience challenges in social interaction.  Many autistic people wish to be socially interactive, make friends and form relationships.  Many also have a desire to be included within the classroom and wider community, but experience barriers when communication differences are not supported. This session explores communication differences for autistic people and how supportive strategies can be put in place to aid mutual understanding and facilitate positive social interactions.