Learning can take many forms – from first-hand experience, working one on one with people, enrolling in a course of study or a combination of all these things and more. Whatever the learning platform looks like, there will always be more that we can learn.

As both parents and professional educators, having experienced Autism first hand through parenting our own children on the spectrum and Elissa (also diagnosed autistic), we’ve found that even though we have an extensive understanding and knowledge of the spectrum, we are constantly learning new things. And as we learn, we modify how we do things and constantly rethink our approaches on how best to support someone with different learning needs.

With our own children as they move through each new phase in their lives, we also move with them learning to adapt and change along the way as they transition through each new step/phase. With each new phase we learn additional or alternative methods of support and practical strategies to help support them as best we can.

Having just recently returned from the 2016 Victorian Autism Conference in Melbourne (in early September), we’ve continued to think about what we’ve learned from attending various sessions about the latest programs and therapies that are being provided for people on the Autism Spectrum. We were delighted to be directly involved with the autistic community and it was refreshing to know that their voices are being heard.

A word of advice from us is to really listen to the person – they are the experts in knowing what they need and what suits them best. We can never assume that what works for one person will work for another! Be mindful to work with a person’s strengths and help them to flourish and experience success in their own way!

Happy learning!

Sherri Cincotta 🙂