Holding Amsterdam Autisme Academie B.V
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Introduction to Autism

This course covers the basics of autism, including how behaviors are defined and the differences in thinking and perceiving. The course duration can vary between 1.5 hours and 1 day, depending on the content and demand.

Course content:

  • Defining the static manifestations of autism
  • A brief history of autism
  • Providing social interaction skills
  • Providing communication skills
  • Cognitive, sensory, and environmental adjustments
  • Independent living skills
  • Treatment methods

Introduction to Autism (2-3 Days)

This more advanced course provides in-depth coverage of autism topics.

Day 1 – Introduction

  • Defining autism and understanding its key characteristics
  • Tripartite qualitative disorders: social interaction, communication, cognitive, and sensory challenges
  • Special perception and thinking mechanisms in autism
  • Theories on autism
  • Autism diagnoses and terminology
  • Static view of autism

Day 2 – Communication

  • How autistic children perceive and engage in communication
  • Making communication clear and simple for better understanding
  • Addressing communication issues encountered in autism
  • Research on communication development
  • Specially supported communication methods in autism

Day 3 – Problematic Behaviors

  • Understanding and addressing problem behaviors often seen in autism
  • Common problem behaviors and their causes
  • Approaches to preventing and managing problem behaviors
  • Helping individuals with autism manage and reduce problematic behaviors

Autistic Thinking

  • The nature of thinking in autism, including:
    • Realistic, detailed thinking
    • Desire-driven thinking
    • Practical implications of different thinking styles in daily life

Autism and Communication

  • Understanding and interpreting spoken language difficulties
  • Methods for simplifying, clarifying, and supporting communication
  • Using visual supports, time explanations, body awareness, and dimensions of communication (form, function, and content)
  • Teaching effective communication and developing special learning techniques

Autism and Leisure

  • The importance of leisure time for children with autism
  • Play development and organizing leisure activities
  • Techniques for developing free time skills
  • Examples of organized free-time activities
  • Addressing stereotypical play behaviors and promoting positive activities

Behavioral Problems

  • Understanding the causes of problem behaviors
  • Stress and stress management
  • Functional analysis of problem behaviors
  • Methods to combat problem behaviors: prevention, intervention, and skill development
  • Special issues: aggression, eating disorders, sleep, toilet training, and sexuality learning

Research and Action Planning

  • Addressing problem behaviors as signals or symptoms
  • Stress management and coping strategies
  • Identifying methods for preventing and managing problem behaviors
  • Special considerations for aggression, eating disorders, sleep, toilet training, and sexuality learning

Practical Training

The goal of this part of the course is to create a class with 4-5 autistic children based on their level of development. Participants will receive 5 days of theoretical lessons and will be taught practical skills on working with autistic children. This includes learning techniques for child development, how to overcome challenges, and providing one-on-one support for autistic children.