Learning about neurodiversity? You’ll find terms & definitions, facts, & professional coursework here to bring you more awareness
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“One way to enhance a person’s well-being and mental health is through employment ”
VIDEOS ON NEURODIVERSITY
TERMS & DEFINITIONS
Neu·ro·di·ver·si·ty | is the diversity of human brains and minds – the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within our species.
Neu·ro·di·ver·gent | sometimes abbreviated as ND, means having a brain that functions in ways that diverge significantly from the dominant societal standards of “normal.”
Neu·ro·typ·i·cal | often abbreviated as NT, means having a style of neurocognitive functioning that falls within the dominant societal standards of “normal.”
People represented in this category are those with typical diagnostic labels such as:
ASD
ADHD
Anxiety Disorders
Intellectual Disabilities
Schizophrenia
Mood Disorders
Dyslexia
FACTS
It is estimated that 50,000 youth are transitioning out of school-based services each year and of those youth, 17.4% of proceed onto postsecondary education; however, very few graduate. (Todd, 2018; CDC, 2018).
Two-thirds of young autistics do not move onto employment or other education in the first two years after leaving high school. (Abrams, 2016; HHS, 2017).
Federal projects on lifespan issues, including transition to adulthood, employment, postsecondary education, housing, and co-occurring conditions are dramatically underrepresented, as the smallest segment, with only two percent of the federal and private funding allocated (HHS, 2017).
Studies show that autistic adults are “nine times more likely to die from suicide than other adults” and “five times as likely to attempt suicide as the general public” (Mandell, 2018, p.234).
Neurodiversity movement strives to further the equality, acceptance, and inclusion of the neurologically different within our society.
“the ‘Gold Standard of Neurodiversity’ to create an online curriculum, so any provider of services for pre-employment transition will have the knowledge they need to be effective for each individual person with autism.”
FREE COURSES
Understanding Autism
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER | COURSERA OFFERED BY UC DAVIS
[FREE]
Understanding the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their implications for behavior, learning and the ability to process information is critical for anyone working or interacting with those on the spectrum -- educators, clinicians, counselors, therapists, medical staff, family and employers. This course will give you a fundamental understanding of what ASD is, how it is diagnosed, the primary areas of impairment, and why prevalence is increasing.
AUTISM COURSE | AUTISM SOCIETY
[FREE]
This website offers an online course for users to increase their knowledge of autism in general. Autism 101 takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and participants can download a certificate of completion when finished.
UNDERSTANDING AUTISM | OPEN LEARN
After studying this course, you should be able to: a) outline what is meant by autism, why it is considered a spectrum and how it affects different individuals and families. b) appreciate different approaches to understanding autism, including theoretical and clinical perspectives and personal accounts. c) outline key features of psychological, neurobiological and genetic explanations of autism. d) explain key aspects of diagnosis, intervention, education and life-span development. e) understand topical issues including neurodiversity perspectives, autism prevalence in women and autism in global context.
Thompson Center at University of Missouri
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AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD
This training module is an overview of what both families and educators can do to support the process for transition from adolescence to becoming an adult and why employment is essential.
FAMILY-PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
This module focuses on how to effectively build and maintain family and professional partnerships.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Specialisterne (WRaP Online Courses)
Certifications:
High School WRaP Pre-Employment Transition Services Practitioner Certification
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or Division of Disability Services WRaP Certification
Community Agency Job Coach WRaP Certification
The online courses are designated as an “authorized activity” under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act by the Rehabilitation Services Agency. This means individual states can use their Pre-Employment Transition Services budget to pay for and deliver the course.
Neurodiversity in the Workplace Training
[United Kingdom]
Our new virtual training workshop aims to give you the skills and confidence to help you recruit, integrate and onboard individuals into your workplace.
Our workshop is aimed at managers and leaders that want to increase their awareness of neurodiversity and experience the benefits neurodiverse employees can bring to their organisation.
We recognised that the best way to learn is through real experiences with real people. Our training is created and facilitated by autistic individuals, who have first hand experience of recruitment and employment.
All the training designed and supported by NTI, involves the most modern and cutting-edge research and surveys that are neurodivergent-led! This is the future of learning when it comes to those of us who see and interact with the world differently than most.
NTI is a motivational and empowerment-based training provider that amplifies proud Neurodivergent voices, in the form of training and motivational programmes. We are currently investing time, capital, and resources into building the world’s most progressive training platform – for the neurodivergent community, by the neurodivergent community and allies!
AUTISM TRAINING WEBSITES
“Here is a selection of online resources for families, caregivers and professionals, providing autism-related training for both children and adults with ASDs. Inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval.”
THE LEARNING COMMUNITY FOR PERSON CENTERED PRACTICES
Envisions a world where all people have positive control over the lives they have chosen for themselves. Our efforts focus on people who have lost or may lose positive control because of society's response to the presence of a disability or other conditions. This site helps us foster a global learning community that shares knowledge for that purpose. All are welcome here to share and learn.
Get Training and Other Assistance
Become a Trainer or Locate Qualified Trainers
Learn about Person Centered Thinking, Essential Lifestyle Planning, and Organizational Change
AUTISM FOCUSED INTERVENTION RESOURCES & MODULES (AFIRM)
AFIRM offers free online modules to guide application of evidence-based practices with learners from birth to 22 years old. They teach the key components and approaches, behaviors and skills that are addressed by the practice, a process for applying, and resources to download and customize using case examples, multimedia presentations, and interactive assessments. Each module also offers the option to earn a free professional development certificate, if desired. Click the following links for: a list of their modules, more about their educational technique, and guidelines for selecting a module.
TRI-STATE ON DEMAND WEBINARS (COLORADO DEPT. OF EDUCATION)
The Colorado Department of Education, Kansas TASN Autism and Tertiary Behaviors Supports Group, and the Nebraska Autism Supports Network have collaborated to make 21 webinars available to teachers, administrators, parents, and others who want to learn more about ASD. These webinars are free, and available on-demand online here.