Using the Curriculum to Create an Autism Friendly Classroom in Primary Schools

Using the Curriculum to Create an Autism Friendly Environment in Primary Classrooms
 

Course Description
The training will demonstrate how the curriculum may be adapted to support children with autism. Participants will be shown child centred autism specific approaches, to create an autism friendly classrooms in Special and Primary Schools.  Participants will have access to a sample autism friendly classroom environment. Education Professionals from Pre-School and Post-Primary Schools are also welcome.
 

Expected Outcomes
By the end of this training, participants will:
• Use their expertise to teach effectively the curriculum to children with autism.
• Appreciate the difficulties that children with autism have with some approaches.
• Adapt existing strategies and techniques to teach the curriculum effectively.
• Make use of new strategies and ideas to help ensure that children with autism have access to the curriculum in a way that is conducive to their needs and abilities. 
 

Course Overview / Content 
This training will cover the following components:
• Strategies, techniques and resources to teach effectively the curriculum to children with autism.
• Increase awareness of the strengths and difficulties children with autism may have when accessing the curriculum.
• Overview of autism and the Primary School, which will include:
• Social communication
• Sensory processing
• Transition to Primary School
• Anxiety management
• Visual methodologies
• The opportunity to analyse the strengths and needs of their own pupils.
• Focus on creating a suitable learning environment for pupils. Participants will have the opportunity to sample resources that may be suitable for their classrooms. 
• Awareness of strategies to develop pupils’ social skills by providing ‘an irresistible invitation to learn’.