Northamptonshire Schools Making Sense of Autism 12 February 2025 MS

Who is this module for?

This module is for anyone working in a school environment, whether they be teachers, learning support assistants, school meals supervisors, school business managers, site staff or office staff.  This module would also be suitable for taxi drivers and school escorts. 

Description

This module is an awareness-raising module that introduces autism and the Three Areas of Difference: Social Understanding and Communication, Flexibility, Information Processing and Understanding and Sensory Processing and Integration. We explore the Three Areas of Difference in terms of strengths and support needs and identify some initial reasonable adjustments that need to be considered when supporting autistic pupils. There is an optional section that focuses on the creation and use of a One-Page Profile.   

The aims

The aims of this module are:

• To extend your understanding of how autism affects pupils in school. 
• To increase your expertise in recognising a pupil’s individual strengths and differences. 
• To develop your skills in identifying barriers to learning for autistic pupils. 
• To develop your understanding of what reasonable adjustments need to be made to support autistic pupils in their setting. 

Learning objectives

After completing the module, you will be able to:

• Understand that autism is a difference rather than a deficit or disorder.  
• Recognise the Three Areas of Difference in autism and how these can affect autistic pupils. 
• Listen to and learn from the perspectives of autistic pupils and their parents/ carers. 
• Reflect on your practice and implement reasonable adjustments to support autistic pupils.  

Session length

The length of the training session will depend on the training partner delivering the session. Please get in touch with them directly to enquire about this. If you can't see their contact details, please search for your local training partner and enquire.