Autism Spectrum courses at Sheffield Hallam University

In 2013/14 we will be running the PGCert/PGDip/MA Autism Spectrum programme for both full-time and part-time students. More information is available from the programme leader, Mitzi Waltz (M.Waltz@shu.ac.uk) and online at: http://www.shu.ac.uk/prospectus/course/201/

You can apply directly at: http://www.shu.ac.uk/study/form

In autumn 2013, the following modules will be running:

Critical Reflections on the Autism Spectrum (7469)

This module will run on our city campus on Wednesdays from 17:00-19:30. The first session will be on Wednesday 2 October.

Autism Policy and Practice (7470)

This module will run on our city campus on Thursdays from 17:00-19:30. The first session will be on Thursday 3 October.

This module will also run as a blended (distance) learning module in the autumn term.

Autism Challenging Behaviour and Communication (7508)

This module will run in the autumn term by blended (distance) learning only.

 

In spring 2014, the following modules will be running:

Autism Challenging Behaviour and Communication (7508)

This module will run on campus on Wednesdays from 17:00-19:30. The first session will be on Wednesday 5 March.

 

Autism Policy and Practice (7470)

This module will run in the spring term by blended (distance) learning only.

 

Free Autism and Transitions Event, Doncaster

Please note that this is not an Autism Centre event

Autism Plus is working in partnership with colleges and specialist schools from across South Yorkshire to raise awareness of the support available to individuals with autism who are needing support around transition. As a result of this we have come together to host a conference on the 31^st May at Communications Specialist College, Doncaster to provide parents, carers, individuals and professionals access to information on what support is available when looking at transition. This is a FREE event covering all aspects of transition from employment, benefits and self directed support as well as many other topics. For further details go to http://www.autismplus.org/news/2013/april/autism-and-transitions-informative-event

June 7th Public lecture with Prof Catherine Lord, leading international autism researcher

Please note that is a University of Manchester event and not The Autism Centre

Public lecture with Prof Catherine Lord, leading international autism researcher from Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian Hospitals

Implications of Recent Research on Intervention and Longitudinal Studies of Treatment of Young Children

Fri 7^th June 2013, 10 AM

University Place, Lecture Theatre A (3.102)

Catherine Lord, Ph.D. is the Director of the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain a joint project of New York – Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in partnership with New York Collaborates for Autism.  She completed degrees in psychology at UCLA and Harvard, and a clinical internship at Division TEACCH at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Lord is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialties in diagnosis, social and communication development and intervention in autism spectrum disorders (ASD).  She is renowned for her work in longitudinal studies of social and communicative development in ASD.  She has also been involved in the development of standardized diagnostic instruments for ASD with colleagues from the United Kingdom and the United States (the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) an observational scale; and the Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R) a parent interview), now considered the gold standard for research diagnoses all over the world.

Dr. Lord was the Chair of the National Research Council’s Committee on the Effectiveness of Early Intervention in Autism and is a member of the DSM5 Neurodevelopmental Disorders Committee.

Her work at the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain involves continued research in validity and longitudinal studies, early diagnosis of children with autism, and regression in children with autism and clinical evaluations and diagnoses of children and adults who may have autism.

 

Congratulations to the Autism Centre for Supported Employment

Congratulations to Glynis Beck and all the team at the Autism Centre for Supported Employment (autism.centre@yahoo.co.uk) on a wonderful celebration yesterday of your first 10 years. Lovely to hear such positive accounts from people on the autism spectrum about the great support that they have received from the centre. Good luck for the next 10 years!

Changing the child vs. helping the child

This is a lovely explanation of the value of acceptance and appreciation of people with autism for who they are.

http://lifehiswayblog.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/changing-the-child-vs-helping-the-child/

New ASC and neurodevelopmental service for adults in Sheffield is now taking referrals

Great news!

In response to the Autism Act 2009 Sheffield is setting up a new ASC and neurodevelopmental service for adults to enable access to diagnosis and post diagnostic support.

The new service is intended to be up and running by the end of 2013 but it is now taking referrals (and compiling a waiting list) for anyone who a) wants to get a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Condition or other Neurodevelopmental condition (eg Dyslexia, ADHD, Dyspraxia etc) or b) already has a diagnosis and wishes to access post diagnostic support or other interventions (eg sensory assessments by specialist Occupational Therapist etc).

The number people need to ring is the main Adult Social Care number for Sheffield - 273 4908. People can ask for a full Needs Assessment, which they are entitled to under the Autism Act and they will have their name put on a waiting list and will be assessed by SCC’s own ASC-trained social workers (in the process of being recruited).

Book launch for Autism: A Social and Medical History April 16th 6-9pm

Book launch for Autism: A Social and Medical History by Dr. Mitzi Waltz

Location: Owen 942 on Tuesday 16^th April between 6.00pm-9.00pm

Lecture topic: “The history of autism, and what we can learn from it”

Open to staff, students and the general public, no charge

If attending please email s.waller@shu.ac.uk

“Autism: A Social and Medical History” contextualizes autism as a socio cultural phenomenon, and examines the often troubling effects of representations and social trends. Exploring the individuals and events in the history of this condition, Waltz blends research and personal perspectives to examine social narratives of normalcy, disability and difference.

Autism has often been seen as separate from other forms of impairment and negative attitudes towards people with autism and, in the past, their parents, have been prevalent. This book explores key research in the field as well as insight from parents and people with autism, the latter of whom have often had no voice in what is written about the history of autism.

This book will appeal to researchers and students in the fields of medical sociology, disability studies, and medical history as well as increasing public debates on autism.

For more information about the book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autism-A-Social-Medical-History/dp/0230527507/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364398270&sr=8-1