Welcome

Welcome to the April edition of our newsletter, a month which ends with very welcome sunshine for many of us! Training offers this month have included the delivery of Stages 1 and 2 of the new SPELL Framework training, with one delegate joining us online from as far afield as Canada. Community of Practices continue to support delegates embed good practice post-training. Evaluation work is ongoing for programmes in the UK and Europe. Read on for more details, and to hear about our much-valued work in partnership.

Smart Tools for Strong Lives Conference, Malta

Our head of Research and Clinical Support, Richard Mills visited Malta to continue the evaluation of the LinC programme at Inspire Malta, and as the Chair of the Research and Innovation Council, to open the Inspire international Conference. The theme of the conference ‘Smart Tools for Strong Lives’ was on how Artificial intelligence, and innovative technologies are rapidly taking over every aspect of our lives. But can these inventions increase inclusion and offer opportunities for the whole community, especially in the field of disability and with neurodivergent people? The conference brought together users, professionals, researchers, and developers of assistive tools from several different countries, how they can help people lead more independent lives, and what problems and risks might be associated with them. Also speaking was our Associate, Louis Camilleri from the University of Malta, speaking about the SOFA App, designed for autistic children. The event was attended by over 100 people in person and was opened by the Minister.

Director’s comment

Chris Atkins: Synergy Communities of Practice

Communities of Practice (CoPs) support social learning by bringing together people with a shared interest to engage regularly in collective learning, strengthening understanding through ongoing discussion, inquiry, and reflection. This energises interest, maintains focus, and drives understanding forward – as such, an essential part of any staff development programme.

CoPs enhance learning and empower people in their work. In the short-term, they can help with challenges, build confidence, provide a sense of belonging, and assist in sharing expertise, knowledge, and experience. In the longer term, CoPs promote personal development, build reputation, encourage innovation, and impact positively on members’ motivation, sense of purpose, health, and well-being.

Regular Community of Practice events have been continuing for both the Malta and the Singapore Synergy Programme. Regular online meetings are held roughly every 6 weeks, each lasting for around 90 minutes. Attendance is open to all who have completed the Synergy Practice and Mentoring Workshops.

Recent topics suggested and co-produced by the Synergy Leads for each programme resulted in presentations and discussions on, among other things, a deep dive into System 1 and System 2 thinking and approaches to conscious switching, considering essential qualities and practical skills for successful mentoring, and a detailed review of core components of Active Listening including the OARS framework – another crucial mentor skill. Upcoming sessions will look at constructive criticism, behaviour awareness and regulation, multidisciplinary support and understanding across services, and producing a service road map template for enhancing and maintaining staff awareness and engagement with Synergy. Work is now focusing on identifying key areas for reflection and development to address over the next 12 months – more news and updates to follow!

SPELL Framework

Stage 1 SPELL training course. Stage 1 is a 12-hour (6 hours x 2 days) CPD-accredited foundation course. It is suitable for all practitioners working with autistic people of all ages, across multiple settings. This SPELL practice workshop covers an understanding of autism, considers the principles and five domains of SPELL, and reflects on applications of the framework to individual practice. Due to interest from across the world, we will shortly be offering more dates for individuals to attend this course online.

For further information and to register your interest: Stage 1 SPELL Framework training – AT-Autism

The 3rd Edition of the SPELL Framework is now available to pre-order: Understanding and Responding to Autism: The SPELL framework (3rd edition) Self-study Guide

Synergy Programme

Please contact us at info@atautism.org to book training on the Synergy Programme. This practical training aims to reduce stress, improve staff skills and support wellbeing. In this the primary focus is on the narrative, the practitioner and the culture of a setting – not the ‘behaviour’ of the child or adult.