Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): 
Occupational Therapist Certificate Training Program - Level 1

This is a three part certificate course, (16.5 instructional hours).
This course is limited to 20 participants who are Occupational Therapists.

This program will provide occupational therapists with an intense and practical review of their role with individuals with Autism and other forms of ASD. The most current information will be presented and experiential opportunities will be provided.  There will be a three week break between sessions to allow participants to employ newly acquired knowledge and strategies. When the group reconvenes, participants will share their experiences and receive feedback on individual cases. For those participants who do not currently have individuals on their caseloads with ASD, arrangements will be made to pair them with families involved at the Geneva Centre. 

The workshop will include: an overview of the characteristics of ASD and a discussion of current perspectives within the field; a review of the occupational therapist’s role in assessment, treatment, consultation and program planning. Focus will be on a sensory integration theoretical framework but other areas of occupational therapy practice will be incorporated. Therapeutic equipment and programming materials will be available for experimentation.  A discussion of communication differences and visual aids will be co-presented by a Speech Language Pathologist. The analysis of videotapes, which illustrate assessment, treatment and programming strategies and the many characteristics of this disorder, will be included.