Atlass: A stress and wellbeing programme 'Atlass is a philosophical approach that is mind changing, it s helped me focus on stress management in my day to day work' (Anonymous course participant, 2015) The Atlass programme is an internationally recognised programme which focuses on applying principles of stress management and wellbeing to supporting people with autism and other vulnerable people in care. The Atlass programme was developed by Dr Michael McCreadie and Professor Andrew McDonnell over the last 10 years. They wanted to provide a bridge between practitioners and academics that focused on the growing awareness of the role that stress plays in the onset and maintenance of challenging behaviour or difficult episodes, and the impact it has on people s lives. By acknowledging developmental difference, the Atlass programme teaches practitioners to examine stress and coping in themselves, the people they support and their carers. To that end the Atlass approach teaches participants how to develop and implement Stress Reduction Plans for individuals, taking account of the transaction of stress between the person, their relationships and their environment. Many studies have identified that carer stress plays a significant role in episodes of challenging behaviour and can mediate within a stressful encounter. Research has noted the impact that stress has in staff supporting people with autism, and other challenging behaviours, which can have a significant impact on how that staff group interpret and respond to challenging behaviour. This ultimately affects the development, implementation and monitoring of both care and education plans. In addition, many people on the autism spectrum identify stress as a core feature of their life. Therefore, stress management based approaches can make a real difference.
Atlass Accredited Stress Management and Wellbeing Programme The Atlass programme has a number of specific aims to assist course participants in understanding the role of stress in the person s life within the context of cognition, environment and relationships, and how this contributes to what may be viewed as challenging behaviour. Specifically, course participants will learn: Development within the context of Inter-subjective experience and how this should be applied to people who present with challenging behaviours. The underlying cognitive processes of human development and experience. The construct of self. First person accounts of people on the autism spectrum. Low arousal approach, a conceptual framework with a strong emphasis on creating reflective practitioners, who manage crises from a stress management point of view. Sensory perceptual differences, how we organise sensory information and its role in emotional distress and stress management Stress and coping. The role of environment and relationships within the stress transaction. The neurophysiology of a stressful encounter. The role of appraisal mechanisms in coping. Being mindful and encouraging mindfulness within support staff. Developing the mindful organization. Strategies to help culture change such as motivational interviewing.
Birmingham University Accreditation Studio 3 has designed this practical, applied training course working with Birmingham City University. The accreditation means that candidates will be able to apply for one of two levels of accreditation leading to a University Award; Level 4 or Level 5. This award is linked to the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) published by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). This means that candidates who receive this award receive 30 credits under what is known as the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). Participants attend a five day induction training course, followed by two x two day follow up sessions over the following year. In these sessions participants will demonstrate the application of their skills to specific individuals. The follow up days draw heavily upon the experiences of participants. Assessment There are several assessment measurements for course participants, two key requirements are: Candidates will have to produce a written stress management plan for an individual. Candidates will produce a reflective report about their work (maximum 3000 words). Atlass is suitable as a way of working to provide services for a wide range of complex and vulnerable individuals. A growing number of both voluntary and public sector organisations are adopting this way of working and conceptualizing systems of support from a stress reduction perspective. As such they have found the Atlass approach helpful in responding to the needs of individuals, their families and the staff who offer support. The Atlass model connects the complex jigsaw of environmental and behavioural inputs that contribute to managing challenging behaviour.
Who is the training programme designed for? The training is designed to provide a practitioner focus. Atlass participants have been drawn from a diverse range of people. These have included: Division TEAACH practitioners Psychologists Family members who support individuals with complex issues Autism practitioners Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners Trainers in Behaviour Management Psychiatric and learning disability nursing Support staff Individuals with a diagnosis Nurses working with ASD and vulnerable people Atlass does not seek replace other training, rather it helps the participant to focus on their own values and develops a wellbeing framework for working with individuals with autism. The feedback from participants has led to enhancing elements of the programme. 'Stress responses involves us examining our own responses first' (Michael Kneafsey, Behaviour Support Practitioner, Republic of Ireland) 'I have a much better understanding of the experiences of the people I support (Ian Gallon, Psychiatric Nurse, UK).
Other feedback includes: 'Good stress management leads to more enjoyable learning' 'The PERMA framework of wellbeing is so simple' 'Understanding developmental differences was actually quite new to me' 'I can use this in the classroom' 'Manage the stress not the Behaviour!' 'It's ok to use words like happiness in my work'. 'Low arousal approaches are about reflection' The programme has been internationally recognised with participants currently being drawn from Denmark, Germany, Republic of Ireland, Sweden and UK. Outcomes Like all training programmes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. What people apply in their work and lives is a really important outcome. The key leaning outcome is that practitioners will be able to apply a wellbeing framework to the people they support. They will also produce a stress support plan which will be either for an individual or a part of their organisation. Practitioners are encouraged to reflect on their own wellbeing and develop and enhance their coping strategies. In essence, the 'reflective journey' of participants allows one to think about their experiences of autism within a person centred framework. One participant put it succinctly. 'After completing the 9 day programme I think I am much clearer about my own values and it has helped me to critically evaluate my own perspective and contribution to supporting people with behaviours. I feel that the programme has encouraged me to focus on a positive approach to supporting people on the autism spectrum'.
Stephen Allison Michael McCreadie Our Facilitators Steve has an education background. He is a national assessor for the In-service trainer s programmes for Studio 3. He has presented at International conferences about non aversive approaches to behaviour management and the risks involved in physical interventions. He has taught staff teams in a number of different settings including Intellectual Difficulties, Autism Spectrum, Acquired Brain Injuries, Older Adults and Dementia as well as Mental Health and children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties. BSc., PGCE., Dip S.L., M.Phil., MSc., DPhil. Michael is a Health Psychologist with over 25 year s experience working with people with neuro-developmental conditions and/or acquired brain injury. Michael works in a range of health, educational and care settings in the UK, Scandinavia and Ireland. In addition to clinical responsibilities, Michael has substantial input to the Atlass programme and a teaching remit within Strathclyde University. Andy McDonnell BSc., MSc., PhD. Consultant Clinical Psychologist to and Director of Studio III Clinical Services; Director, clinical consultant and Team Leader to Studio III Training; formerly Clinical Psychologist to Monyhull Hospital Birmingham. Andrew has particular interest in the design of community settings for people who challenge. He has extensive experience of working with service users with a learning disability and/or an ASD who self-harm. Rob Whiskens Rob began working as a trainer for Studio 3 mid 2004 and has a broad range of experiences across the autistic spectrum specialist part of the care industry. Pre Studio 3 Robert was the regional coordinator for an Asperger syndrome specific outreach team based in the West Midlands. Prior to this he had worked for several large autism/asperger specific services around the country. Each service provided its service users with a slightly different model of support. Paul Philips Paul Phillips is our Irish training lead coordinator. Paul has been a long term stalwart of the Studio3 team. He is also providing specialist behaviour supports to people with severe challenges, working on the ground. Training in schools in the Irish Republic is a complex issue. The teaching environment presents specific challenges, both in terms of training and specialist behaviour supports.
Dates and Costs The core programme takes place in the UK in Alcester, Warwickshire which is close to Stratford. The 2017 dates are as follows: Induction (5 days) First follow up (2 days) Second follow up (2 days) 20 th 24 th March 2017 22 nd and 23 rd June 2017 19 th and 20 th September 2017 9 th 23 rd June 2017 21 st and 22 nd September 2017 21 st and 22 nd November 2017 18 th 22 nd September 2017 23 rd and 24 th November 2017 TBA 20 th 24 th November 2017 TBA TBA The non-residential cost of the nine day programme is 2600 plus VAT. There are discounts available for family members and larger bookings. The fee also includes University registration fees. For more information on attending one of our Atlass courses, please contact: +44 (0)1789 432423 mail torbjorna@studio3.org www.studio3.org Find us on: