Training Presentation Outline

 

Title: Navigating Autistic Cognitive Profiles, AAC, and Accessible Communication Design

Audience: Health & Social Care Students, Educators, Carers, and Workplace Leads

Format: 4-Part Lecture & Interactive Workshop

Part 1: Foundational Communication & Co-Occurring Differences

Direct Communication Essentials

Eliminating sarcasm, idioms, and vague directions.

Practising clear action statements (e.g., replacing "be careful" with concrete directions).

Co-Occurring Conditions in Practice

Dyslexia: Formatting text with high-contrast, sans-serif typography and structured layouts.

Dysgraphia & Dyspraxia: Integrating digital tools, wide margins, and fillable fields.

Dyscalculia: Transitioning abstract numbers into visual representations.

Part 2: AAC Systems & Presuming Competence

Low-Tech vs. High-Tech AAC

Implementing PECS, visual schedules, and sign/gestural systems.

Integrating Speech-Generating Devices (SGDs), tablet apps, and eye-gaze technology.

Practical Interaction Rules

Never equating non-spoken communication with a lack of cognitive understanding.

Honouring processing time and avoiding interruptions.

Part 3: Decoding the Cognitive Profile

The Mechanics of Bottom-Up Processing

How detail extraction fuels pattern recognition, error checking, and logical reasoning.

Monotropic vs. Set-Shifting: Supporting hyperfocus while facilitating smooth transitions.

Executive Functioning & Environmental Modifications

Strategies for mitigating working memory strain and context blindness.

Reducing ambient sensory load to preserve auditory processing bandwidth.

Part 4: Sensory Needs, Masking & Preventing Burnout

Understanding Stimming and Sensory Needs

Reframing self-regulatory behaviours (stimming) as vital tools for sensory management.

Identifying hypersensitivity, hyposensitivity, and signs of sensory overload.

The Cost of Camouflaging

Unpacking the psychological and physical strain of social masking.

Identifying early signs of Autistic Burnout and building

 Key Strategy Breakdown: Visual Predictability: Utilising visual schedule boards and "First-Then" prompts reduces cognitive load during transitions and sets clear expectations.

  Task Analysis & Executive Functioning: Breaking down complex daily routines through chaining (step-by-step instruction) and limiting choice options prevents decision fatigue.

  Social-Emotional Scaffolding: Using interest-based connections (e.g., joining repetitive play) and visual/video modelling converts solitary routines into cooperative interactions.

  Multi-Disciplinary Consistency: Aligning routines across therapists (SLPs, OTs, BCBAs) and home environments accelerates skill acquisition. 

 Collaborative Focus Areas: To help tailor specific visual templates, task-analysis breakdowns, or step-by-step social stories for your needs: Target Skill: Is there a specific daily transition (e.g., morning routines, academic tasks) or social skills (e.g., turn-taking, asking for breaks) you would like to target first? 

 Support Context: Would you like these tailored as printable parent checklists, digital task boards, or workplace/classroom instruction guides?