Bobbi Elman

My approach-

I have worked extensively with the following using an eclectic child centered approach - utilising the following in A NON COMPLIANCE / NON ABA/ NON PBS -AUTISTIC LED AND RESPECTED WAY

• Play therapy

• PECS-,

• TEACCH-

• SPELL 

• SCERTS

• sensory processing differences- including Sensory Room

• methods in working in both home and educational setting, (including assisting in adapting curriculum to differentiate) with children on the Autism Spectrum.

I also have developed/delivered a variety of physical activity, creative, arts and crafts, games in "social skills" groups- 6 children varying in ages. 

I believe the current framework of “Social Skills” and “Social Therapy” is damaging to autistic children and young people because it is not respectful in any way of the Autistic experience. it utilises the deficit medical model versus the social model. It teaches Autistic children/young people that they are fundamentally wrong and have to change, dealing to masking and possible mental health issues. Social skills as they stand do not consider as I believe it should, Damian Milton’s Double Empathy Problem ( link here). If it did then the framework would look very different with those non autistic children/young people also receiving social skills therapy/training as well. Those non autistic children would be learning the history, culture and experience of autistic people and the double empathy problem, age appropriately. autistic children and young people would also be learning about their history and culture as well as the importance of autonomy.

I also deliver various training to staff in schools including the autistic experience training and will happily deliver training to anyone who works or has contact with an Autistic child/ young person/ adult in understanding them.

I continue to attended various seminars, workshops and courses relating to the new SEN changes, SEN Law and in specifics, EHCPs. Please contact me for details.

Specialities include:

• Social stories- as in Transition based or explanatory only. I do not do any behavioural based as they are damaging.

• visual diaries/schedules/Visual aides

• Setting up educational and home environment for a child with Autism Spectrum including adapting curriculum for differentiation of ability, to utilise strengths as well as main motivations and interests.

• Autistic Autism Advisory/ Advocacy/ Consultancy

 Training Delivered includes but not limited to -

• INSET Training- delivering One Page/Single page portrait/Profile aka Passport, and other child/person centred Autistic led tools.

• Importance of communication between parents of Autistic students and schools/colleges. 

• Training/ Presenting on the Autistic Experience.

• Working as a 1:1 support for an autistic student, good practice and strategies that respect the autistic child/ young person

• Create and deliver many various bespoke training on all aspects of the autistic experience.

I do NOT support ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis) or PBS (Positive Behavioural Support) .