Autism - Communication Foundations (P) (SNA) (EY)

Target Audience: Primary level teachers, SNAs, SET Teachers

Welcome to an enlightening webinar experience where we embark on a journey to embrace the beauty of neurodiversity and unravel the intricate tapestry of autism in educational settings. As we kick off our captivating five-part series, we invite you to join us in deepening your understanding of autism, celebrating its unique expressions, and challenging the prevailing misconceptions that hinder inclusivity.

Together, we will decode the diagnostic criteria with a compassionate lens, recognizing autism as a beautiful neurological difference that enriches our world. Let's delve into the empowering concept of neurodiversity—a celebration of the diverse strengths and perspectives of individuals on the spectrum—infusing our classrooms with practices that honor and uplift every learner.

Prepare to be equipped with practical knowledge and strategies as we guide you in creating individualized pupil profiles, harnessing the power of personalized supports. Through this affirming approach, we'll foster a classroom environment where every student's strengths are celebrated and their challenges compassionately addressed.

Please note that this session intentionally moves beyond generic language strategies, as we have a dedicated webinar coming soon to delve deeper into nurturing inclusive communication practices. Similarly, we invite you to anticipate an upcoming session focused on supporting non-speakers, where we'll explore strategies tailored to their unique needs.

This webinar is crafted with care for our dedicated SNAs, teachers, and learning support teachers at primary and post-primary levels. Let's embark on this transformative journey together, where we honor neurodiversity, celebrate the vibrant spectrum of humanity, and cultivate inclusive classrooms that uplift and empower all learners.

Secure your spot now and become an agent of change in fostering neurodiversity affirmation in your educational practice!

What is covered:

1. Understanding the diagnostic criteria
   
2. Myths
   
3. What is ‘the spectrum’
   
4. Neurodiversity
   
5. Building a profile of your pupil
   
6. Using the profile to target supports

What isn’t covered:

• Generic language strategies
• Non-speakers - webinar to come!

Bio of Presenter: Alanna O' Connor

Alanna O’Connor is a highly experienced and dedicated speech and language therapist who brings a wealth of expertise and passion to the field of neurodiversity, speech and language disorders, and disability supports in education. With years of experience, Alanna is dedicated to empowering education staff in Ireland to create inclusive and supportive environments for all pupils.

Alanna has worked extensively with teachers and SNAs across diverse educational settings. She is particularly interested in promoting literacy attainment and working with children and young people with disabilities. She is passionate about sharing knowledge with SNAs and teachers, as they work closely with children in a language-rich environment.

Alanna is all about spreading awareness, championing inclusivity, and creating a positive educational journey for individuals with autism, language disorders, intellectual disability, ADHD and others. Through her webinars she hopes to empower education staff in Ireland to have an exclusive chance to grasp invaluable insights, practical tools, and foster a supportive learning environment that benefits all students.