Last week we met with some of our recent Social Skills Training ‘graduates’ to debrief on how they were managing with their newly developed ‘Autism Friendly’ programs.

We were ‘blown away’ by their enthusiasm, commitment to the people they support, and the time they had dedicated to creating programs that supported individual needs and that focussed on being Autism Friendly.

One of the questions that we asked about the programs they were running was, “what worked”?

Here is what they had to say:

• Visuals!!! (incorporating visual supports where ever possible into the learning)
• Repetition (lots of practise and integrating the learning into different settings)
• Routine
• Incorporating Interests (using interests to make the learning more meaningful, relevant and engaging to the learner)
• Everyone communicating (between staff – and parents where possible – and writing things down to support the verbal feedback / communication)

The programs that these women are working with will no doubt continue to develop over time, and with the needs of those who they are supporting. But one thing is for sure, they can celebrate their success in creating learning opportunities that directly meet the needs and wants of the people they support.

Written by Elissa Plumridge