1. O2 Curriculum to Empower Parents of Children with Autism (ASD)

2. Empowering Parents to support their children with Autism (ASD)
Newry Childrens Centre Northern Ireland
Saturday 21 January 2017 – 5 hours
25 parents
Module 1 aims to enhance parental knowledge about ASD and how they can support their child using a range of strategies.
Participatory evaluation exercise

3. Module 1: Learning Outcomes
Improve understanding of how to support your child with ASD in and out of school
Improve understanding of how to integrate visual strategies, communication and sensory activities to create an autism friendly environment
Develop a better understanding of how to incorporate strategies into daily life
Develop an understanding of how to use strategies to manage behaviour, improve social skills and determine the highest level of independence for an individual child
Increase awareness of individualisation rather than a “one size fits all”.

4. Participative Evaluation - Rating Scale

5. Module Lesson Plan - Empowering Parents to support their children with Autism (ASD) – 5 hours
Content
Activities
Resources
Introduction and background to SEKA project
Aims and Learning Outcomes
Name badges
Introductions
Ground rules
Participants talk to person next to them and introduce their partner to the group
(Pre test)
Baseline evaluation of
Skills
Knowledge
Confidence
Participative Evaluation activity
‘How I see myself in effectively supporting my child with ASD’
Put up a sheet on the poster scaled from 1 to 5.
Give each participant 3 different coloured post it notes
Green – confidence
Yellow – knowledge
Pink – skill
And ask them to rate themselves on the scale on the poster as to how they currently support their child with ASD?
FC paper
coloured postits/pens
Camera
Photograph of completed pre test by parents
Parents thoughts/definition of ASD
Brainstorming – small groups and feedback to large group
FC paper and pens
Formal definition of ASD
Triad of impairments
• Social Communication
• Social Interaction
Imagination
What is Communication
How
Why
Powerpoint (PPt)/ tutor talk
Group discussion
Focus on the individuality of each child

6. Pre - test

7. Module Lesson Plan - Empowering Parents to support their children with Autism (ASD) – 5 hours
Formal definition of ASD
Triad of impairments
• Social Communication
• Social Interaction
Imagination
What is Communication
How
Why
Powerpoint (PPt)/ tutor talk
Group discussion
Focus on the individuality of each child
Activity
Participants to organise themselves in a line in order of birthday month WITHOUT SPEAKING.
Tutor draw out importance of communicating in different ways other than words – body language, gestures, facial expressions.
Early signs of Autism
Signs and symptoms of Autism in babies, toddlers and older children
Common Behaviours
PPT TT
Small group discussion
Implementation of Chill Skills Strategies
Parents try out the chill skills and identify those which could work with their children
Fizzy Lemonade
Butterflies
Thumb Massage
Icy breathes
Handout describing 10 possible activities (tutor to choose 4)
‘Relax Kids’

8. Module Lesson Plan - Empowering Parents to support their children with Autism (ASD) – 5 hours
Triad of impairments continued
Imagination
Structure
Specially Designed Visual Tools/ strategies
Visual methods of communication
PPT /TT
Discussion
What works?
Tutor to bring examples of commercially produced schedules, timetables and visual strategies
Activity
Practical strategies for parents re supporting the development of their child’s communication, social and learning skills
Parents produce own versions of schedules, timetables and visual strategies eg for bedtime/mealtime
Tutor can bring homemade examples
Sensory, malleable materials eg squeezy balls
Paper card, treasury tags, and Velcro, scissors, pens, glue sticks, cardboard boxes
Process of assessment in NI
TT/ Group discussion
Handout 6 Steps of Autism Care in NI
Educational Services in NI
TT/ Discussion/Signposting
Importance of visiting schools to identify the right school for the child – school attended relies on the statement – can take up to 26 weeks
Discussion – benefits of special schools v inclusion in mainstream schools
Website references

10. Module Lesson Plan - Empowering Parents to support their children with Autism (ASD) – 5 hours
Supporting parents in preparing for their child’s transition to primary education
PPt/TT
Different types of educational facilities available in NI
Example of IEP
Example of Transition forms used for schools
This is me booklet
Development of parents’ booklet
Small groups discuss priorities for inclusion within an A5 booklet for parents
FC/pens
Autism books and leaflets
Variety of SEN materials
Handout of basic strategies to support a child with ASD
(Post test)
Baseline evaluation of
Skills
Knowledge
Confidence
Revisit participative evaluation exercise and ask parents to now rate themselves after completion of module
FC pens and postits
Photograph of completed post test
SEKA Evaluation form
Parents complete formal evaluation
SEKA evaluation forms
All countries will use a post training data collection sheet to show 70% satisfaction from parents.
Separate data collection evaluation summary

11. Post - test

12. Pre and post tests

13. SUMMARY of RESPONSES from EVALUATION FORMS Achieved target Responses 100% very good or above
How would you rate the following?
Excellent
Very
Good
Fair
Poor
1. The trainers were able to put the message across clearly and explain the issues
23 (92%)
2 (8%)
2 I now understand how I can help my child
13 (52%)
12 (48%)
3. The stated objectives were met
20 (80%)
5 (20%)
4.The information provided was relevant and supportive to me
5. There was enough time for questions and discussion with other participants
22 (88%)
3 (12%)
6. The training resources such as handouts are helpful and easy to understand?
19 (76%)
6 (24%)
7. There was a good balance of theory and practice
21 (84%)
4 (16%)
8. The suitability of the venue including room layout, toilets, parking, refreshments