Online Learning Opportunities

Person-first or identity-first language? Is it okay to say high or low functioning? How do we avoid ableism and describe autism in an affirming way? This webinar discusses how to use language that effectively communicates respect and inclusion when we communicate about autism with clients, families, the community, and in research.

WATCH: How We Speak About Autism and Why It Matters

In this webinar, we will discuss the impact the learning styles of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have on accessing and engaging in remote instruction. We will identify Structured TEACCHing strategies and supports to increase engagement and independence in remote learning activities. Such strategies include organizing the home learning environment, visual supports, and meaningful routines. In addition to Structured TEACCHing supports, we will discuss the importance of clear communication between the educators and caregivers so roles/responsibilities are clearly identified. 

WATCH: Remote Learning: Supporting and Teaching Autistic Students DOWNLOAD Remote Learning slide handouts

UNC TEACCH® Autism Program is pleased to announce that the webinars from our webinar series on Dual Diagnosis and Complex Issues in ASD are now available for free viewing. This webinar series was made possible with funds from the AHEC Innovations grant and aims to provide free, web-based trainings for mental health professionals working with individuals with ASD and other comorbid issues. Thus far topics have included anxiety, depression, romantic relationships, and suicidality. The goal of each presentation is to review current literature and discuss evidence-based strategies for identification and treatment in an adolescent and adult population of autistic individuals.

Please note that these webinars have been previously recorded and as a result, you will not be able to access the handouts from these presentations, ask any questions, or submit any poll questions for these webinars. These previously recorded sessions are also not available for CEU credit.

WATCH: Webinar Series on Dual Diagnosis and Other Complex Issues

Stress and uncertainty can be especially difficult for children and adults on the autism spectrum. Watch a free, educational webinar with UNC’s Laura Klinger and Kara Hume, “Supporting Autistic Individuals during COVID-19.” They discuss strategies for supporting people with ASD.

WATCH: Supporting Autistic Individuals During COVID-19

Online Course – Structured TEACCHIng: Individualized Schedules

Structured TEACCHing is a program developed by TEACCH, administered through the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, that meets the clinical, training, and research needs of autistic individuals, their families, and professionals across the state of North Carolina. Individualized Schedules are one component of the program to effectively engage students in activities and help them transition throughout their day. This course will introduce you to the process of creating individualized schedules and help you to incorporate the schedule into your daily routine for students on the autism spectrum.

TEACCH’s evidence-based approach is built on an understanding of the cognitive abilities, learning characteristics, and needs associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is highly individualized and based on each person’s learning characteristics, skills, strengths, and interests as identified through formal and informal assessments. This assessment information is used to create visual strategies and systems to make the world more meaningful for the individual on the autism spectrum.

ONLINE COURSE: Structured TEACCHIng: Individualized Schedules

In Family Implemented TEACCH for Toddlers (FITT), the interventionist and parent work together to create or adapt a set of early learning activities to teach toddlers new skills and routines. These are highly visual activities that teach the toddler how to engage with toys (e.g. blocks, farm animals) and how to participate in play routines. The initial activities introduced during the table-based play routine typically have a very clear beginning and end, include a sensory component like preferred sounds or textures, are highly motivating, and build on the toddler’s strengths. Interventionists and parents informally assess the toddlers throughout FITT sessions to ensure activities target emerging skills and those activities are individualized to meet the toddler’s needs.

This photo library provides examples of activities and visuals that FITT interventionists and parents created for their toddlers. These may also include visual instructions such as a series of photos or objects that may be used to teach a multi-step play activity.  Single photos may also be used to provide support for toddlers as they are learning functional and symbolic play routines (e.g. a farm animal completes an action, such as the pig jumps, the horse sleeps). Activities may be visually organized which can include stabilizing them on a tray, providing containers for extra parts and pieces, and reducing the number of parts and pieces.

Early Learning Activities and Visual Supports Online Photo Gallery