Valuing Autistic People – Valuing Difference

Fee: £149.00 + VAT

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This programme is also available in-house, tailored to the needs of your organisation. To find out more please contact us on 0121 415 6960, email [email protected]

 

Programme details

Who is this for?

Suitable for a wide range of people, from families, health professionals, educators and health and well-being staff as well as for front line emergency staff, it offers an excellent range of knowledge to help the person supporting/caring /teaching make better informed decisions.

Aim of the programme

Introducing a new, contemporary approach to training in Autism, “Valuing Autistic People - Valuing Difference”. This focusses on autistic people and their experience and not on the outdated approach of “disorder” still found throughout the sector. Bild have listened to autistic voices and have moved to look at a far more autistic positive and inclusive training experience.

It is clear that better understanding of autism can lead to fewer negative experiences for all concerned. Rather than awareness of challenges, this session looks at the autistic people through the autistic led Critical Autism Studies lens. This offers the opportunity to develop a human rights based and values led foundation to supporting and living with autistic people from the outset. Examining the ontology of autism – either as a medical disorder to be treated or as simply a cognitive difference – it encourages the attendee to consider their own attitudes and values.

Summary of the day

The sessions take an honest look at respectful, proactive approaches to the autistic person as a valued human being, the environment surrounding the autistic person and the impact this can have. It introduces the concept of the “Three ‘A’s of Autism” Attention, Appreciation and Acceptance. This allows for a new focus on factors, often beyond the scope of the individual to change or influence, which, if addressed, bring better outcomes for the individual and all stakeholders.

The sessions are underpinned by the idea of neurodiversity; that neurological and cognitive differences, like autism, are ‘normal’ and ‘natural’ variations in the way human brains are made. Such differences result, not only in different ways of seeing and experiencing the world, but also differences in how individuals learn about the world, engage with it and interact with others in it. To this end, the sessions has been designed with the view that neurological and cognitive difference are the norm not the exception and, as such, there is a wide range of ways in which students learn. It utilises a wide range of teaching and learning techniques, including learner activities, quizzes and different types of PowerPoint with the aim of addressing a variety of learning styles.

The sessions offer an introduction to inclusive environments, navigating the neurotypical world, autistic trauma, enhancing your communication and embraces the ethos of “Nothing about us, without us!” Co-written and produced by Dr Allison Moore from Edge Hill University and Paul Davies, an autistic man and part of a specialist support team within a national autism charity. This brings together actual autistic experience with a deep understanding of the most current positive autism research and the need for a new approach to thinking that underpins our practice methods and dispel stereotypes.

This course meets the Tier 1 requirements of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Core Capabilities Framework.