Why you should do this course:
- Learn what is meant by the term ‘sensory processing’
- Gain a better understanding of how your autistic patient might be affected by sight, smell, taste, touch, balance and body awareness
- Gain an understanding that autistic people might experience pain differently
- Learn how to help your autistic patient who might be hyper- (over-) or hypo- (under-) sensitive
- Learn how to help your autistic patient know how to communicate their sensory discomfort to others
- Learn how to help your autistic patient manage interoception (the ability to recognise when we are thirsty, hot, cold, hungry, needing to go to the toilet, etc.)
- Learn simple, practical strategies to make your clinical or organisational setting more comfortable for autistic patients
Course Description:
- Pre-learning questionnaire: You complete an online survey before you begin.
- Narrated Presentation: You watch, read and listen to the learning materials.
- Animations: Unique, charming, sweet animations based around the central character, The Girl With The Curly Hair, and her sensory challenges in different situations.
- Visuals and infographics: No plain writing!
- Reflections: You reflect on central questions about the topic and record your thoughts in the assignments.
- Questions: Answer questions to check your understanding along the way.
- Notes: Print a set of summary course notes for your records.
- Certificate of completion: Download and print a certificate for your CV or learning development.
This course was written, created and narrated by autistic author and founder of The Curly Hair Project, Alis Rowe.
Modules:
Introduction to The Curly Hair Project
Optional introduction to our work, explanation of the terms ‘neurotypical’ and ‘autistic’, and a quick explanation of the colours (blue and green) and characters we use (The Girl With The Curly Hair, The Boy With The Spiky Hair and the neurotypical stick figures).
What is Sensory Processing?
What is meant by ‘sensory processing’, the 7 senses, and introduction to the ideas, ‘The Filter’ and ‘The Sensory Buckets’.
Hyper-Sensitivity
Explanation and examples of over-sensitivity (hyper-sensivity).
Hypo-Sensitivity
Explanation and examples of under-sensitivity (hypo-sensivity).
Interoception
Understanding what interoception is and how it can be affected in autistic people.
Strategies to Manage Sensory Processing Challenges, Part 1
Strategies to improve exercise, sleep and diet, taking into account sensory challenges.
Strategies to Manage Sensory Processing Challenges, Part 2
How autistic people can help themselves to feel comfortable and how they and others can use ‘The 6 Golden Rules’.
Communicating Sensory Discomfort
How to talk to other people about your sensory processing challenges and how other people can be supportive.
Summary
Summary of the course.