Autism seminar series shares best practice insights

'Knowledge is Power' - Autism Seminar Series 2015
'Knowledge is Power' - Autism Seminar Series 2015

Delivering the latest best practice insights to health care professionals, educators, parents and students is the focus of this year’s Autism Seminar Series, run by the School of Education and Professional Studies Autism Centre of Excellence (ACE).

The series, ‘Knowledge is Power’ aims to empower parents and allied health care professionals by sharing the latest research insights, to those on the frontline of caring for people on the autism spectrum.

ACE leader Professor Jacqueline Roberts says the seminars all focus on evidence-based recommendations.

“The Autism Seminar Series brings together the latest research and practice from local and international experts,” Professor Roberts says.

“We will also be collaborating closely with the Autism Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) this year and showcasing preliminary findings for this world-first national research program.”

Seminars and topics covered include:

Success at School for students with Autism – 11 April

  • Academic outcomes for students with autism in schools;
  • School connectedness for students with autism (based on the Autism CRC project);
  • Individual planning to meet learning needs;
  • Associations between the sensory processing issues of students with ASD and their classroom performance;
  • Curriculum development for savant and splinter skills; and
  • Process for building capacity in schools and school systems to improve outcomes for student with autism.

Autism Early Intervention: what are the issues and what works? – 29 May

  • Good practice guidelines for autism intervention
  • Update on the Helping Children with Autism and the National Disability Insurance Schemes
  • Parental participation in early intervention;

Themes which may also be covered include eye tracking, engagement and early social communication development, emerging literacy in young children and the transition to school.

Communication development and Autism with Professor Rita Jordan – 14 August

  • Social communication development;
  • Participation at home, pre-school, school and in the community;
  • Echolalia; and
  • Assessment and intervention for children with severe communication impairment and the use of technology to promote communication and interaction.

Update on all things Autism for medical and allied health professionalswith Professors Pat Howlin, Katrina Williams and Tony Attwood – 23 October

  • Prevalence and diagnosis;
  • Update on interventions and outcomes;
  • Sleep;
  • Genotypes and phenotypes; and
  • Multidisciplinary panel discussion on working collaboratively.

Registrations are required with tickets $120 for parents, students and concession card holders and $195 for professionals. Multiple seminar discounts apply. Places are strictly limited so book early in order to reserve your place.

To register or find out more visit the ACE Autism Seminar Series webpage.