23TRA498Autism Webinar Series

Webinar 1- Language and Communication issues and ASD November 27th @ 7pm

Participants will look at how receptive and expressive language can be impaired and how we can identify the needs of a child with communication difficulties. 

Practical ways to encourage and include children with communication challenges in the classroom using evidenced based strategies will be discussed. Participants will look at how we can adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of communicationally challenged children by using high interest, child centred visual content. The use of PECS, Special Stories Apps, Visuals, Videos, social scripts, and ACCs will be discussed as will strategies to assess language and where to find material to support language needs.

Webinar 2- Adapting the Curriculum for ASD- December 4^th at 7pm

Learn how to make high interest, child centered resources that help children with Autism/ADHD/Down Syndrome/ Dyslexia MGLD SEN to access the school curriculum.

Libby will show how to use topics that are interesting to students such as soccer, rugby, music, paw patrol etc.to make target based activities that will stimulate the child’s interest and also allow them to access targets in circular areas such as Math, English, SESE, SPHE, Music etc. The use of work stations, importance of sensory breaks, Social scripts, use of videos as a social/communication tool, how to create high interest resources, catering for the child  who can’t read/ write or focus are all topics that will be covered in the course. Also, examples of how to plan, assess and collect evidence of work will be given. The most important practical skills that should be taught to children with SEN will also be explored. Libby will show loads of examples of teacher designed activities and practical SEN teaching tools that help meet learning objectives in the different circular areas.

Webinar 3 - Behaviours that Challenge and ASD- December 11^th at 7pm

This webinar will look at trying to understand the reason why autistic children engage in behaviours of concern. How to recognize if its sensory related or is it a problem with communication. Is it a way of escaping a situation or is the child trying to access items out of reach. The importance of looking at these behaviours in a positive manner and helping the children communicate their needs in a more appropriate way is the core of this webinar. Learn how to record data and evidence to help find patterns in behaviours and how to use this information to try and limit challenges in the classroom.

Webinar 4 - Puberty and Relationships & ASD- December 18^th at 7pm

In this session, participants will understand the importance of preparing their children well for puberty and adolescence. We will look at different strategies to try and create a home- school programme to meet the individual needs of the SEN students. We will explore different ways to make group work meaningful and how to encourage meaningful inclusion. We will look at ways to approach circle time and music sessions. Examples of games that encourage turn taking and friendship building will be explored. Prioritising the teaching Social Language to SEN pupils will also be discussed.

Webinars will be delivered by SEN teacher Libby Conroy and Dr, David Jordan. Libby Conroy has been delivering courses to teachers, parents, snas and professionals working in the area of Autism and SEN since 2015.

Libby is a primary school teacher with over 15 years’ experience working in the area of Special Needs. She holds a Masters of Education specialising in Autism, A Post-Graduate diploma in SEN and various other certificates relating to SEN. She has worked with children and adults in both school and residential services and with people living with mild to severe and profound physical and intellectual disabilities.

The aim of Libby’s Courses is to empower people working or living with special needs to understand and develop positive practices for the benefit of children, their families and wider society.

Dr. Jordan graduated with a Ph.D. in geology from Trinity College, Dublin in 2008. In 2002, during the early stages of his Ph.D. he was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. He helped set up peer a support program for university students with Aspergers  Syndrome in collaboration with Dr. Rita Honan and he founded in 2002 the first social group for adults with Aspergers  Syndrome and autism in Ireland. This group continues to meet weekly, on Zoom. Over 200 people on the autism spectrum have attended over the years. Dr. Jordan  appeared in an RTE TV documentary about Aspergers Syndrome in 2005 and has given several radio interviews. He also presents to parents, teachers and psychologists at conferences several times a year describing his experiences growing up with Aspergers Syndrome.