Resource, Information, Support & Education Centre Inc present Professor Tony Attwood - AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
Session 1: Making Friends – Strategies to improve social understanding and friendship skills. Session 2: Strategies to reduce being bullied and teased.
Tony is a clinical psychologist who has specialised in autism spectrum disorders since he qualified as a clinical psychologist in England in 1975. He works in private practice in Brisbane, but is also adjunct professor at Griffith University, Queensland. His book Asperger's Syndrome - A Guide for Parents and Professionals has sold over 300,000 copies and has been translated into twenty languages. He has worked with over 2000 individuals of all ages with Asperger's syndrome. Tony presents workshops and runs training courses for parents, professionals and individuals with Asperger's syndrome all over the world and is a prolific author of scientific papers and books on the subject. His new book The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome was published in October 2006. (www.tonyattwood.com.au )
MORNING SESSION
MAKING FRIENDS: STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SOCIAL UNDERSTANDING AND FRIENDSHIP SKILLS
The presentation explains the four stages in the development of friendship and strategies to encourage the development of friendship skills and social integration from children as young as three years to young adults. The activities can be applied in the classroom, playground and at home.
AFTERNOON SESSION
STRATEGIES TO REDUCE BEING BULLIED AND TEASED
Parents and teachers hope that integration with peers will be enjoyable and successful. Some children will welcome the opportunity to play or socialize with the child or adolescent with Asperger's syndrome. However, some children will consider the child an easy target for bullying and teasing. Children with Asperger's syndrome are more prone to bullying and teasing in comparison to typical children. The presentation explains why children with Asperger's syndrome are more likely to be a target and strategies to reduce incidents of bullying and teasing.
