Understanding Autism

• This is a one-day introductory course in autism for new staff in Gheel, or staff who are looking to refresh their knowledge in this area.
• Topics covered include, Gheel's philosophical approach to understanding autism, developmental difference, social differences, sensory differences, and the 'Low Arousal Approach'.

Low Arousal Training (2 day course)

The low arousal approach is a non-confrontational, non-aversive approach which considers a rapid de-escalation of anxiety by examining the staff’s responses to a potentially aggressive situation. The identifiers listed below may inhibit this response and reduce the likelihood and maintenance of these behaviours.

• Introduction of a Low Arousal approach is based on three assumptions;
  • Assumption 1 – The person who is highly distressed is likely to be highly aroused, therefore we would not wish to behave in a manner or impose rules that may increase these feelings.
  • Assumption 2 – It is likely that the person is distressed through the introduction of demands or requests. By reducing these demands it is likely that the person will feel under less pressure and more able to begin to relax.
  • Assumption 3 – Since the individual who is stressed is likely to communicate in a way which verbally or non-verbally communicates that stress, if we as a practitioner are feeling the same then we too may communicate those same messages.
• These assumptions lead to the following rules which must be adhered to when becoming a Low Arousal organisation/practitioner; Keeping calm, Personal space, Eye contact, Touch, Noise, Communication/listening, Distraction, Removing others from the vicinity