Paediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Service Parents and Carers Education (PACE) Programme Menu

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1 Paediatric Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Service Parents and Carers Education (PACE) Programme Menu Produced : September 14

2 The Paediatric ASD Service aims to provide a specialist training package to families and carers of children and young people with ASD. This menu aims to provide you with information on the training seminars available through this service. To select the most appropriate programme for you and your family this booklet aims to provide you with a brief outline of the content of each programme along with information on the age and abilities of the children/young people it would be most suited to. Some courses may have restrictions in numbers due to the nature of the course. Demand will dictate the frequency of these programmes but it is hoped that each programme will be delivered frequently throughout the year. The training seminars are delivered by the Paediatric ASD service in conjunction with NAS (National Autistic Society) and ASD Support service, NEELB. Should you wish to book a place on any of these seminars please phone the office on where Adele or Jacqui will book you onto the next available course that you wish to attend. Paediatric ASD Service Sept 15 2

3 Contents Page Level 1 What is ASD? (it is recommended that the Level 1 Programme is completed before accessing Level 2 Programmes) 4 Level 2 Promoting Communication Skills in Children and Young People with ASD & Social Stories TM and Comic Strip Conversations 5 Visual Strategies 6 Understanding Behaviour Managing Anger Anxiety Management Strategies for Parents of Children with ASD Teen Life Supporting Siblings Working Together with Education 12 Paediatric ASD Service Sept 15 3

4 WHAT IS ASD? Parents/carers of children/young people (aged 2-18 years old) who have received a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder The aim of this seminar is to increase parents/carers understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how it manifests in everyday life. The seminar will focus on the background, terminology, research, possible causes and coexisting difficulties associated with ASD. The core components of ASD, that is the Triad of Impairment Social Communication, Social Interaction and Imagination / Flexibility of thought are discussed in detail, outlining the range of skills that it refers to and how defects in these areas affect a young person with ASD. Co-existing difficulties relating to sensory processing and behavioural difficulties are also briefly explained. Key Elements of the What is ASD seminar: Promote an understanding of ASD Outline associated difficulties Explain the Triad of Impairment and related issues Paediatric ASD Service Sept 15 4

5 Promoting Communication Skills in Children and Young People with ASD & Social Stories TM and Comic Strip Conversations Parents/carers of verbal children/ young people aged 5-14 years old in mainstream education Children and young people with ASD experience a range of difficulties communicating with others. They can experience difficulties understanding language, expressing themselves and using their communication both verbal and non-verbally. This Seminar will explore the communication process further and will look in detail at some of the difficulties children and young people with ASD experience within this process. It aims to provide parents/carers with strategies and advice to help them to develop their child s / young person s communication skills. This seminar also explores the use of Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations as a strategy that can be used to allow for the development of social skills. Key Elements of Promoting Communication Skills seminar: What is communication Overview of communication difficulties related to ASD Strategies to help your child/young person communicate more effectively Explain the theory behind using Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations and use practical examples to highlight their use within everyday life. Paediatric ASD Service Sept 15 5

6 Visual Strategies Parents/carers of children up to the age of 8 years old The use of visual strategies is a widely used approach in addressing the needs of individuals with Autism and Asperger s Syndrome. This practical seminar, will equip parents with an understanding of why visual strategies are a recommended form of intervention for children and young people on the autistic spectrum. The seminar will demonstrate how visuals are used by exploring common visual strategies used at home and at school. It includes information on how parents can make visual resources and useful websites to assist on this. Key Elements of Visual Strategies seminar: Why use visual strategies Demonstration of visual strategies at home and school Making your own visual resources Paediatric ASD Service Sept 15 6

7 Understanding Behaviour Parents/carers of children up to the age of 12 years old This is a practical seminar which encourages parents to look at the behaviours their son/daughter engages in, that they may find difficult to understand or manage. The seminar will offer a take home systematic approach to looking at behaviour and providing parents with strategies and techniques to support their child and to manage difficult behaviour more effectively. The help! Understanding behaviour seminar aims to examine behaviours that parents may find difficult to understand or manage, to enable parents to use the WHAT, WHY and HOW method in an attempt to understanding behaviour and to consider the low arousal approach in day to day communication and during meltdowns. Key elements of the NAS help! Understanding Behaviour Seminar: What is Challenging Behaviour Understanding our own responses to behaviour Understanding behaviour - What is the behaviour? - Why is it occurring? - How to support your child? Paediatric ASD Service Sept 15 7

8 Managing Anger Parents/carers of children ages years old This is a practical seminar which encourages the use of a low arousal approach to support communication and behaviour. It provides parents with tools to equip their son/daughter with practical and safe ways to understand and communicate their feelings and cope with meltdowns. The seminar does not teach physical interventions but does address how to manage confrontation more effectively. Many parents feel isolated and unaware of what to do next when faced with the difficulties of managing anger. By providing information on communication, low arousal behaviour strategies and information on accessing other appropriate local services, parents are able to identify the most effective ways to support and advocate for their child. The help! 2 Managing Anger seminar aims to share information and experiences to enable group learning. There is a proven increase in parental confidence and reduction in feelings of isolation after having attended the seminar. Key elements of the NAS help! Managing Anger Seminar: What is Anger Using a low arousal approach Coping with Meltdowns: Rumbling, Meltdown, Recovery Helping your child manage their feelings Paediatric ASD Service Sept 15 8

9 Anxiety Management Strategies for Parents of Children with ASD Parents/carers of children aged 7 years and above This seminar is designed to give parents an awareness of the symptoms of anxiety and the specific nature of anxiety in children and young people with ASD. It will include an overview of the use of cognitive and behavioural techniques used in the reduction of anxiety and a basic awareness of the principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). The session will be a mixture of practical activities, discussion and presentation. This seminar will provide parents with a range of strategies, ideas and practical resources that they can use to help their child/young person with their emotional regulation and anxiety. Key elements of the Managing Axietyr Seminar: Symptoms of anxiety Overview of basic cognitive behaviour techniques Practical strategies to help address their child/young person anxiety Paediatric ASD Service Sept 15 9

10 Teen Life Parents/carers of young people aged years old The seminar explores how autism affects a young person and their family during the teenage years. It provides information to parents about how to support their young person with key issues during adolescence. This includes factors that may affect self esteem and motivation in addition to positive practical strategies to help. Alongside this, the seminar explores Puberty and Relationships, the potential issues an adolescent with autism may encounter and strategies around what and how information could be provided. The seminar aims to give parents the opportunity to discuss these issues and to know how to access future support in particular the changes in support during the transition into adulthood. The help! Teen Life seminar aims to share information and experiences to enable group learning. There is a proven increase in parental confidence and understanding after having attended the seminar. Key elements of the NAS help! Teen Life Seminar: Autism in the teenage years Self esteem and motivation Puberty and relationships Sources of support Paediatric ASD Service Sept 15 10

11 Supporting Siblings Parents/carers of children ages 2-18 years old Having a person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in your family has an impact on everyone, not just parents. It can be important to take into account siblings and their needs while growing up with a brother or sister with autism. This is a practical seminar aims to look at the experiences of those who have a brother or sister with autism.it aims to explore ways for siblings to increase their understanding of autism and to share ideas and strategies that may have a positive affect on sibling relationships Key elements of the NAS help! Supporting Siblings Seminar: Having a brother or sister with autism Explaining the diagnosis Improving Communication, Interaction and positive relationships Sources of support Paediatric ASD Service Sept 15 11

12 Working Together with Education Parents of children in Mainstream Primary and Post Primary Schools (aged 4 16 years old) This seminar addresses the varying needs of pupils with a diagnosis of Autism or Asperger s Syndrome who attend Mainstream schools. This informative session will explain the role of the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) within school and other school staff in addressing your child's needs. It will also give an overview of the role of wider Education Board Services in supporting schools and pupils with Autism or Asperger s Syndrome. Importantly it will give parents an insight into how best to work in partnership with their child s school as they address the needs of their child with autism or AS. Key elements of the Working Together with Education seminar: Broadly identifies the educational needs of children/young people with a diagnosis of Autism or Asperger s Syndrome. Explains the role of the SENCo Gives and overview of other Education Board Services available Advises parents as to how to work in partnership with schools. Paediatric ASD Service Sept 15 12

13 To book a place on any of the courses in this booklet please phone: The Paediatric ASD Service on: And a member of staff will book you onto the next available course. Paediatric ASD Service, The Cottage, 5 Greenmount Avenue, Ballymena BT43 6DA Paediatric ASD Service Sept 15 13