In this free online course, you will gain the knowledge, skills and techniques necessary for providing shadow support to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and anxiety disorders. It begins by exploring inclusive education systems and establishing why they are so important. You will then study the characteristics that differentiate some children with autism from their neurotypical counterparts and the educational implications of neurodevelopmental disorders.

The second half of the course covers techniques and best practice for shadow support interventions. It describes visual supports and demonstrates their use for helping a child organise their activities. The course goes on to provide practical training in promoting good behaviour through reward systems, how to identify and de-escalate challenging situations and manage meltdowns. You will also master methods for facilitating social interactions, dealing with bullying and how to enlist a child’s peers to provide support.

Shadow support is instrumental in helping children with autism or similar conditions to improve their social, academic and behavioural skills, making it easier for them to navigate everyday life. Parents, caregivers and educators can benefit from the information in this course. Start now and develop your expertise in just a few hours.