National Education Summit – Autism in every classroom

The National Education Summit includes the Autism in Every Classroom conference on Friday 1 September, encouraging discussion educators with the common goal of facilitating appropriate classroom strategies for teachers and students. Held at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. 

Discussing the latest research on Autism and providing attendees with practical strategies for teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in mainstream primary and secondary classrooms, keynote speakers will include industry professionals and special needs teachers as well as parents of children with ASD and those living with ASD.

This event is a referenced Special Needs Professional Development that satisfies the VIT professional development requirement that all teachers are to complete a Professional Development unit focussed on Special Needs prior to September 2017. APST 1.5, 1.6 and 4.1. Certificates of attendance will be issued to all attendees.

Listed below are the topics and their speakers:

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Richard Eisenmajer, Psychologist at The ASD Clinic

Richard Eisenmajer will introduce Asperger’s Syndrome and ASD and explain the common difficulties that children with ASD face at school and home. Sharing insights into what it would be like having ASD, Richard gives educators and parents tips on making school and home environments more “ASD friendly”.

Make your classroom inclusive – the essential guide for teachers working with students with ASD
Jamie Coombs & Cressida Crossley, Necessary Educational Strategies for Teachers and Students

As the diagnosis of ASD in school aged children increases educators need to create inclusive learning environments. In this session, Jamie Coombs and Cressida Crossley will outline what successful learning looks like for the ASD student, providing teaching strategies that effectively support the learning of all students.

Addressing anxiety – supporting the ASD learner to navigate the social classroom
Jamie Coombs & Cressida Crossley

This session will focus on specific strategies for managing stress and anxiety while looking at how to motivate and reward the ASD learner. Jamie and Cressida will also address the challenges for peers and discuss the effective use of buddies and peer support programs as well as examining the challenges of unstructured time.

How to address aggressive behaviours in the school setting
Sarah Wood, Psychologist, Autism Behavioural Intervention Association

Children with an ASD often present with challenging behaviours, which at times can include aggressive conduct directed towards themselves or others. This session will explore the general diagnostic criteria so educators can learn to understand why a child may be demonstrating aggressive behaviours and importantly, how to choose appropriate behaviour management strategies for individual children.

The key to success is social - strategies for social success
Jamie Coombs & Cressida Crossley

This session will examine strategies all teachers can use to help teach and support the development of social skills in ASD students.

Creating a more inclusive world for Autistic girls – the Yellow LadyBugs story
Katie Koullas, Partner & Founder of Yello LadyBugs

Katie Koullis, a mother of two autistic daughters, will discuss the inspirational journey of creating the Yellow LadyBugs program, the impact it has made on the community and the exciting plans she has for the future to help create a better world for autistic girls and women.

Autism as a young adult
Miles Glaspole, student and comedian

After a psychologist confirmed what his parents had long suspected, Miles Glaspole was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at the age of ten. During this session, Miles will discuss how he came to find himself at high school, as well as how he continues to live as a young man on the spectrum.

Q&A
Jamie Coombs, Cressida Crossley, Katie Koullas and Miles Glaspole