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Autism and Sensory Processing

In our new module “Autism and Sensory Processing” we use a series of interactive films and activities to help your staff understand how their own sensory processing system works. This module expands on the learning provided in our module “Autism“. Understanding and gaining insight into your processing system takes time and effort.  Understanding someone else’s requires really careful observation, imagination, and empathy. With the aid of experts, Judith North and Simon Haywood, you will learn how your processing works and in turn we will teach you how to better understand and assist the processing realities of the people you support.

 

Watch this great excerpt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHwbFjObpPo

 On successful completion of this module, your staff will be able to:

– Explain what processing is.

– Describe the strengths and limitations of their own processing system.

– Understand why processing and processing difference matter when working with people who have autism.

– Gain insight and understanding into the experiences and challenges of people living with processing difference in a world that is insufficiently aware and adapted to accommodate it.

– Refreame some “challenging behavior” as strategies for managing difficult (sometimes unbearable) processing challenges.

– Reflect on the life choices made by people who experience processing difference and how these need to be understood and supported.

Module length: 90 minutes

Learn more about all of our modules here.

 

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Johnny ran. That was his problem. He was what the staff called a runner.

Open Future Learning gives your staff three ways to learn:

1 = With the people they support: Our Side by Side Modules let your staff use the time they spend with people to learn with people.

2 = In groups: Our Learning Modules and Videos On Demand can be used to host classroom style training.

3 = In their own time: Access our resource anywhere there is an internet connection.

Please contact us via hello@openfuturelearning.org with any questions you might have or for a free trial of our resource. 

 

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Five More Things You Can Do

David Pitonyak is back with another five things you can do to support someone who has behavior that is challenging.  

When the person you support is going through a difficult time, friendships, a positive identity, fairness, and fun are commonly neglected.  Using a series of memorable short stories, Pitonyak will help you learn why these principles are so important and what you can do to develop them.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

– Understand the importance of relationships, contribution, and goal setting.

– Explain how you can help people develop a positive identity.

– Describe how you can support relationships based on choice and fairness.

– Explain the importance of and describe how you can help eple have more fun in their lives.

 

The largest part of David Pitonyak’s work involves meeting people who are said to exhibit “difficult behaviors.”  Most of these people exhibit difficult behaviors because they are misunderstood and/or because they are living lives that don’t make sense.  Of they are lonely, powerless, or without joy.  Often they feel devalued by others or lack the kinds of educational experiences that most of us take for granted.  Too often their troubling behaviors are the result of an illness, or even a delayed response to traumatic events.  You might say their behaviors are “messages” which can tell us important things about their lives.  Learning to listen to the person’s difficult behaviors is the first step in helping the person to find a new (and healthier) story.

Enjoy this great excerpt from the module:

Watch the full trailer below:

Try Everything We Do

Our free trial provides complete access to our entire resource of Side by Side and Staff Learning Modules as well as our full Video On Demand library of films. If you have any questions in the interim please do not hesitate to let me know via ben@openfuturelearning.org