With some schools in Scotland reopening this week, I was fortunate to be asked to deliver some staff training during their in-service days at the beginning of the week. It has been an invigorating start to the new term!
On Monday, I ran a session on Autistic people’s sensory experiences to the teaching staff at St. Saviours Primary School in Govan. The staff seemed to really benefit from exploring the disadvantages and barriers Autistic people can face in settings which are not compatible with their sensory needs. This allowed us to consider adjustments that may help create a more inclusive environment in schools. There was great discussions with the teachers, whereby they reflected on their practice and ways of supporting the children in their class going forward. I really enjoyed my time with this school!
On Tuesday, I delivered training on ‘Understanding Autistic Experience’ to the staff at The Nature Nursery Montorossi, based at Kilbank Farm in Lanark. This is an outdoor nursery and it is an absolutely beautiful location. The training was held in one of their small buildings – not outside – although that would of been very cool! This session provided an overview of various aspects of being Autistic, providing the practitioners with a deeper insight into the internal processes of the young people they support. This included discussions around Autistic play, communication, sensory needs and monotropism (a key theory to understand Autistic experience). Furthermore, we looked at supports for Autistic people in the workplace and adjustments that may be beneficial.
I also got the opportunity to chill in one of their hammocks for a bit! Easily a career highlight.
Additionally, the nursery received an excellent report from their recent inspection, which is extremely well deserved! I had a great time with this group and they were such a lovely bunch of people. I could tell the staff are dedicated to getting it right for their young people and each other as colleagues, which is reflected in the inclusive environment they have cultivated.
I love delivering training to various groups such as the above examples. There are so many professionals who want to create safer and inclusive environments for Autistic people and it is a delight to receive opportunities to facilitate these training sessions and have discussions with professionals. Sometimes staff may express guilt over ‘getting it wrong’ with the Autistic people they’ve supported in the past. However, we only know what we know and all of us have made mistakes in the past based on the knowledge we had at the time.
Fortunately, there is much more updated, affirming research and information based on the inner experiences of the wider Autistic community which can positively influence practice. I am seeing more ripple effects where professionals are open and curious to learning from Autistic professionals like myself and the innumerable Autistics who are now delivering training. Conferences like AUsome Training’s ‘Minding Autistic Minds’ are an excellent example of events which create these ripple effects and guide professionals towards making shifts in their practice.
If you are interested in myself delivering training to your school, nursery or organisation, then feel free to message me at the contact page of my website here. You can also find some more information about my training sessions at this page.
Autistically Scott 
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