Early Years

The early years of learning and development are foundational for all children but are particularly important for Autistic children who often require additional considerations and adjustments to support their engagement within the early childhood setting. This course is specifically designed for Early Childhood Educators who are keen to foster participation and inclusion of all children in the Early Learning setting including children with diverse needs. The full-day course will help improve educators understanding of Autism by exploring four fundamental topic areas.

Firstly, the course explores differences in the way Autistic children process information. Secondly, it addresses communication and a range of considerations in exploring the communication profile of students, both receptive and expressive communication. It also explores sensory processing differences and how these are different for Autistic children. Finally, the course looks at the importance of using routines and how they support Autistic children to become more active and engaged members of their Early Years setting. The use of routines in supporting transitions will also be explored.

Educators are offered practical strategies for supporting all of these key considerations for Autistic children, in particular related to early childhood learning environments and teaching and learning experiences in these settings.

Topic 1: Cognitive Differences

Participants will:

• Broaden their understanding of Autism to include the different strengths and preferences Autistic children have in thinking, socialising and processing information from the world around them
• Explore some of the challenges that Autistic children may experience in your early childhood setting
• Consider how practical supports and strategies might be implemented in your setting to enhance a child’s independence and engagement

Topic 2: Communication Supports

Participants will:

• Understand how to support the comprehension of children in an early childhood setting
• Acknowledge the different ways children communicate
• Multimodal communication
• Echolalia (gestalt language processing)
• Communication as a function of behaviour
• Learn about key strategies to support a child’s understanding and use of communication
• Brainstorm practical strategies to implement with a focus child

Topic 3: Sensory Processing

Participants will:

• Develop an understanding of sensory processing
• Acknowledge the impact of sensory processing throughout the day
• Consider how sensory processing styles may present within the early childhood setting
• Learn about key strategies for supporting sensory processing

Topic 4: Routines and Transitions

Participants will:

• Understand the importance of establishing routines to help children learn
• Learn how to establish routines
• Understand what is involved in a transition
• Learn creative strategies to support transitions