Autism SA has a highly experienced and diverse training team which includes consultants, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and facilitators who have extensive experience in working with individuals on the autism spectrum in a range of settings.

Autism SA presents training that is hands-on, practical and engaging. The emphasis is on guiding participants through a range of activities to increase their knowledge, understanding and confidence in implementing relevant intervention strategies for their particular setting.

All participants will receive a certificate with the workshop title, the number of hours and will state that the training links to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (where appropriate).

This is a General Workshop that has been developed for Relief Teachers who want a better understanding of autism, and provides a broad range of effective strategies to use when supporting a student on the spectrum.

This session acknowledges that it might be challenging working as a Relief Teacher, entering a classroom with a student on the spectrum. However we recognise that it might be extremely challenging also for the student having a Relief Teacher coming into their classroom! In this session, we will focus on developing an understanding of why this can be so difficult for a student on the spectrum and provide strategies that can be quickly adapted and applied when resources and time are limited. The topics covered will give Relief Teachers the knowledge and practical skills to effectively support students on the spectrum.

Topics include:

• What autism can look and sound like in the classroom;
• Key areas of strengths and challenges;
• Key strategies and how to adapt them quickly;
• How to establish which strategies are used within the class;
• Key resources to have in your tool kit;
• Preventing meltdowns; and
• ‘In the moment’ strategies.

Throughout the workshop the presenter will use discussion, activities and videos to deliver information specific to Relief Teachers, that will enhance the participant’s knowledge of autism with strategies to enable them to provide effective support and inclusion.