Title: Vocational training on Communication and Teaching Approaches in Autism Spectrum Disorders-TrainASD Aim: The aim of the proposed project is the creation of a European -level strategic partnership and know-how exchange network for vocational training of professionals in the field of ASD. This will be achieved through the preparation, development and implementation of a large-scale training program on the use of alternative systems of communication for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders by professional and also the management of the National curriculum for students with ASD by their teachers. The target population of the project are teachers for students with ASD in Europe. Emphasis will be given on balancing transnational and national participants in the training programs and in attracting parents to get informed and involved. Target group: is mainly teachers but also other professionals, specialists and practitioners in the field of teaching methods and alternative systems of communication, for children with ASD. Project activities: • Study/research on perceptions and ideas related to key ASD training concepts in order to illustrate the current situation concerning the education of people with autism, training structures, educational material, curricula, to identify training needs and select the appropriate practices and tools to include in the learning content. • Exchange of know-how, expertise and best practices among researchers, specialists and practitioners in the field of teaching methods, alternative systems of communication, management of behavioral difficulties of children with ASD. • Design of a unified - accredited –openly licenced on line training program aimed at unlimited participation and open access via the web – with a strong use of stimulation for teachers dealing with children with ASD. This program: 1. will develop teachers' skills on systematic observation of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) 2. will train teachers on alternative communication systems (PECS, TEACCH, Makaton) 3. will train teachers on managing behavior difficulties (e.g. social deficits etc) through techniques e.g. a) The circle of friends, b) social stories etc. 4. will enable teachers to become creators of the National Curriculum 5. will enable teachers to support parents. Focus on teachers parents collaboration • Creation of the project's training platform. The training platform will contain all the training material and information regarding the specific issues arising The platform will have the ability to register users, to perform training lessons and provide evaluation for the trainees. It will contain links to further reading available for the trainees, such as datasets of legislation, national strategies etc. An advantage of the platform will be its multilingual character thus its use is expected to be continued for a much longer period than that of the actual project, by users of many countries. • One (1) SP-VET-SHORT - Short-term joint staff training events for the training of trainers which will provide the pilots in each country • As an added value to the project, the training sessions will also be recognised and validated through the OPEN BADGES SYSTEM which will be widely adopted in the project as a method for the recognition and validation of the skills and competences acquired. • Evaluation of the training package through the implementation of a pilot (20 trainees) in each partner country consisting of an e learning session (3 weeks) to forge better relationship and connect trainees. • Creation of an E-book titled "Handbook of Best Practices: Education and Communication of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders" • Multiplier Activities: 4 training promotion events in each participating country in order to attract trainees and inform the relevant stakeholders about the project, 4 final conferences in each participating country, in which various stakeholders and individuals from other target groups will be invited to be informed about the project and its possibilities, as well as the exploitation of the project’s intellectual outputs and results. Partners: Leader: University of Macedonia-GR, Greek Scientific Federation of Special Education-GR University of Bucharest – RO Interlearn-GR Autism Europe - BE Pantelis Makris- CY
Title: Vocational training on Communication and Teaching Approaches in Autism Spectrum Disorders-TrainASD The aim of TrainASD was the creation of a European -level strategic partnership and know-how exchange network for vocational training of professionals in the field of ASD. This was achieved through the implementation of a large-scale training program on the use of alternative systems of communication for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders by professional and also the management of the National curriculum for students with ASD by their teachers. The target population of the project was teachers for students with ASD in Europe. All the partners were strongly involved involved in the project activities and contributed to tyhe succes of the project. The target group was mainly teachers but also other professionals, specialists and practitioners in the field of teaching methods and alternative systems of communication, for children with ASD. Project activities: - “AUTISM EDUCATION NEED ANALYSIS REPORT FOR GREECE, ROMANIA, AND BELGIUM”. The need analysis contains the learning requirements and today's approaches regarding the systematic observation and assessment of children in autism spectrum through desk and field research in the partner countries. The field research was applied to 701 participants from 3 countries: Greece, Romania, Belgium. - Exchange of know-how, expertise and best practices among researchers, specialists and practitioners in the field of teaching methods, alternative systems of communication, management of behavioral difficulties of children with ASD. - https://elearning.train-asd.eu. The e-learning platform is provided supports 4 languages (namely English, Greek, Romanian and French) in the navigation of the platform as well the provided material that includes the e-learning courses, the e-books and the final questionnaires. There also additional information on the use of the platform and a welcome video where Prof.Syriopoulou (project manager) presents the project. Users are able to register (in the language version they choose) in order to attend classes. If they successfully complete the 12 digital lessons and the final questionnaire, they obtain a certificate. - 12 e-Learning SCORM compatible lessons, 1 e-book (containing the whole material) and one final questionnaire in English, Greek, Romanian and French language have been developed and uploaded in the platform, covering the following topics: 1. Communication and ASD: An Overview 2. Systematic observation: Assessment and triggering of communication 3. TEACCH 4. Makaton 5. Assistive technology and inclusion 6. PECS 7. Tips in Classroom 8. Child Development 9. Oral Motor Sensory Stimulation for Children with Autism 10. Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) 11. Managing Behavior Problems 12. Social Stories - One virtual SP-VET-SHORT - Short-term joint staff training events for the training of trainers which provided the pilots in each country - 2 pilot trials of the platform: 1st Pilot trial (April-May 2020). Participants: 7 special educators from Greece which evaluated the platform and the e-Learning courses and made valuable comments that helped the team to improve the digital environment. 2nd Pilot trial (July 2020). Participants: 7 special educators from Romania and 6 special educators from Greece Τhe pilot trial of this phase helped the team to confirm the educational value and usefulness of the environment. - Creation of an E-book titled "Handbook of Best Practices: Education and Communication of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders" - 2 training promotion events in Greece and Romania in order to attract trainees and inform the relevant stakeholders about the project. - Presentation of the project at ASD-EAST Brussels Online Final Conference Online, 8-28 June 2020.1300 professionals participated across Europe - 3 on line final conferences in each participating country, in which various stakeholders and individuals from other target groups were informed about the project and its possibilities, as well as the exploitation of the project’s intellectual outputs and results. Partners: Leader: University of Macedonia-GR, Greek Scientific Federation of Special Education-GR University of Bucharest – RO Interlearn-GR Autism Europe - BE Pantelis Makris- CY