Resources for Services - NPA Conference 2016 - Seminars and Interviews
Dr Caroline Smith (author of the Speechmark publisher’s best seller ‘Writing and developing Social Stories)
Social Stories, developed by Carol Gray in 1994, are used worldwide to help young people and adults with autism understand what is going on in their world and, in so doing, prompt appropriate behaviour.
This seminar sets out the relevance of Social Stories to both parents and professionals. By the end of the session those attending will be able to recognise a good Social Story and make a start on working with others to write one for their child.
The session, which includes a PowerPoint presentation and some discussion, will cover:
- The nature and purpose of a Social Story
- What they can and can’t do!
- The sorts of sentences that make a good Social Story
- In what ways writing a Social Story changes behaviour…yours and the child’s.
Dr Caroline Smith, author of ‘Plan A is for Autism: Using the AFFECTS Model to Promote Positive Behaviour’ (Speechmark Publication) outlines the advantages of trying to draw on ‘the teams’ skills and strengths in making a difference to the child. It emphasises the importance of adults recognising and doing what they can, not stretching themselves to extremes so that every part of the day (and night!) becomes stressful and seemingly impossible.
The behaviour of children with autism often creates more heat than light.
Whether the behaviour is very passive or very loud and active those living and working with children with autism are often left wondering what to do for the best – the best for the child in the short-term, the best for the whole family to-day, next week and next month and the best to secure positive long term outcomes for the child as they journey through the ages and stages to adulthood. There is no easy solution and ‘one size does not fit all’.
This seminar looks at the following;
- Challenging behaviour - are we using the right words?
- Understanding the behaviour of your child with autism;
- Tuning in to your child and the situation
- Using Smith’s modified Iceberg to get under the surface of the behaviour
PICK and MIX, an intervention plan;
- Environmental change
- Communication
- Teaching new skills
- Social learning
University Of Derby and BookTrust Early Years Team
20 mins 17 secs
This seminar provides a summary of the recent BookTrust /Bookstart SEN research and includes;
- The benefits of reading for pleasure for children with additional needs
- How children with additional needs can be supported to engage with reading for pleasure
The team also highlight how Bookstart packs support children with additional needs and outline the following;
- Overview of the packs
- How they are used with families and their impact
- How to get hold of packs in your area
Please note, presenters briefly refer to case studies and video shown during the seminar, these have been removed from this recording. Group work and discussion was also a part of the session but we are unable to include.
24 mins 55 secs
Listen to this is fun and interactive workshop that encourages parents and practitioners to open up the world of rhymes and stories to all our children, by stimulating the senses.
A range of rhymes and stories are explored and ideas shared on how to encourage children to use all their senses while actively participating in the experience.
Presenters demonstrated how to use household items, natural materials, textures, colours and food to create an interactive rhyme or story experience for your child.
Listen to some of Helen and Vikki’s favourite stories and be inspired to create some of your own!
Please note, this was an interactive and visual theatre was used for demonstration purposes.
Video was also shown during the seminar but has been removed from this recording.
Video Interactive Guidance
Video Interaction Guidance is a dynamic evidence-based approach which enables communication to be centre stage.
It involves the central importance of child initiatives, the value of ‘being and staying in the moment’ and the building of attuned interaction.
There is an exploration of what is seen, what is felt, what are possible intentions and meanings and the development of new shared meanings.
The underpinning of Video Interaction Guidance was shared in relation to key messages in helping ourselves and others to recognise and build from strengths and increase engagement in the dynamic processes and skills of attuned interaction and guidance.