Learning Opportunities

Autism Learning Series for Educators - A Collaboration Between The Sinneave Family Foundation & Calgary Regional Consortium

Presented By

Dr. Shane Lynch , Amy Tatterton & Jodi Taylor

Series Sessions

Date	Time
Monday, October 16, 2023	4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Monday, October 23, 2023	4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Monday, October 30, 2023	4:00 PM - 5:15 PM

Location

Online

Grade Levels

Pre K - 1, K-3, Grades 4 - 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 - 12

Target Audience: All administrators, educational assistants, guidance counsellors, instructional leaders, pre-service teachers, support staff and teachers are encouraged to attend

Recent reports state that 1 in 36 persons are Autistic, and 15-20% of the population is neurodiverse. The reported statistics are likely to be lower than the reality and not representative of the actual rates. The experience of students in the Alberta school system has significant impact on their future engagement in post-secondary education, employment and ability to live independently. Therefore, Alberta education professionals should be appropriately equipped with knowledge, supports, and strategies to support all students.

The Sinneave Family Foundation is an operating foundation based in Calgary, Alberta that aims to improve education, employment and housing outcomes for Autistic youth and adults.

Session One: Autism in the Classroom

“If you’ve met one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism” – Dr. Stephen Shore.

Session attendees will gain a better general understanding of Autism and neurodiversity through a neuro-affirming, strengths-based lens. We will provide fast facts about Autism and neurodiversity, and discuss how these differences can show up in educational environments like the classroom. This foundational information will then guide us into discussing some key realistic and attainable strategies that support all students.

Session Two: The Iceberg of Autism and Neurodiversity

Did you know that Autistics have a higher prevalence of co-occurring medical conditions and mental health challenges than their non-Autistic peers? Session attendees will strengthen their existing knowledge of Autistic and neurodiverse students by learning about conditions that can accompany Autism and their potential effect in the classroom environment. This information will lead to a discussion about the line between teaching and treatment, along with proven strategies that meet the wellbeing needs of all students and ensure learning-readiness.

Recommended (not mandatory) pre-requisite: Session One: Autism in the Classroom

Session Three: Autism: Spotlight on Potential

In the final session, we put the spotlight on the incredible potential of Autistic and neurodiverse students when they are in learning environments that highlight their strengths, support their engagement and set them up for success. By fostering an educational setting that highlights ability over deficit, all students can thrive and go on to realize their full potential as they transition out of school.

Recommended (not mandatory) pre-requisite: Session One: Autism in the Classroom & Session Two: The Iceberg of Autism and Neuro

Dr. Shane Lynch

is a Registered Psychologist and Director of Innovation and Evaluation for The Sinneave Family Foundation. He is responsible for the design, implementation, and evaluation of the programs and services offered to the community. Prior to coming to Sinneave, Shane was in clinical practice for over 20 years serving individuals, families, schools, and agencies as they supported individuals on the autism spectrum.

Amy Tatterton

is the Director of Learning and Connection for the Sinneave Family Foundation. She provides leadership to learning activities and community engagement initiatives that help Sinneave fulfill its mission of reducing barriers and enhancing opportunities for Autistic youth and adults. Amy holds a Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Calgary with a concentration in Educational Research. Amy is a born and raised Calgarian with personal and professional experience serving the disability community in a variety of environments including sport, post-secondary supports, pediatric behaviour intervention, early childhood learning management and now adulthood transition support.

Jodi Taylor

is an Inclusion Support Teacher at Foundations for the Future Charter Academy as well as a contract Designer of Professional Learning for Calgary Regional Consortium. She has been in the classroom at the middle school and high school levels for over 20 years, primarily as a Humanities teacher.

Jodi brings the belief to all the work she engages in that there is no one size fits all when it comes to learning. Supporting literacy and inclusive education, Jodi strives to:

Inspire a love of literacy for all students.
Embrace diversity in the learning profiles and personalities of the teachers she works with and the students they support.
Make collaborations with educators practical and classroom focused by inviting conversations that make thinking visible. This includes strategies that allow entry points and opportunities for growth for every learner.

Fee $0.00

Registration Notes

This series will be recorded.

All session times are mountain time.

Quality Standards

This session addresses the following TQS competencies:

2. Engaging in Career-Long Learning 3. Demonstrating a Professional Body of Knowledge 4. Establishing Inclusive Learning Environments

This session addresses the following LQS competencies:

2. Modeling Commitment to Professional Learning 3. Embodying Visionary Leadership