Neurodiversity is a term which was first coined in the late 1990s to describe conditions such as Dyslexia, Autism and ADHD as not deficits or disorders but rather more like variations or differences of the human brain. For both children and their parents the concept of neurodiversity can have benefits as this can frame their challenges as being differences, rather than as deficits.
The key objectives of this course will be as follows:
- Demystifying SpLD, ASC, ADHD, Executive Functioning difficulties and Neurodivergence
- Gender Differences within the ASC and ADHD spectrum and the current research on how symptoms impact in the teenage years in terms of Emotional Dysregulation, Hyperfocus and Resistance Sensitivity Dysphoria
- Co-existing difficulties and differences including PDA, ODD and CD.
- Setting rules, rituals and routines and flexibility in accessing the curriculum, seating/standing, organisation, study skills and homework.
- Supporting distractibility, anxiety, defiance, passive resistance and anger n.
- Consideration of how best to deal with peer interaction during class and non classroom time, including issues of bullying.
- The potential role of Medication in learning and behaviour:
- Home school collaboration and communication and preparing the child and family for transitions.
Fin O’Regan MA, PGCE BSc
He was the Head teacher of the Centre Academy from 1996 -2002, which was the first specialist school in the UK for students between the ages of 7-19 specialising in issues related to ADHD, ASD and ODD.
He is an associate lecturer for Leicester University, the National Association of Special Needs, the Institute of Education and the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity. Fin is a member of the Special Needs Consortium and sits on the Council of CReSTeD.
He has written a number of books and published articles on the subject of ADHD, ASC, ODD and Neurodiversity and has conducted over 2500 presentations both nationally and internationally to schools, social services, businesses organisations, adoption and health agencies and the Police.