Description
This essential handbook provides a self-study route through the successful SPELL framework, which promotes the understanding of autism and offers a person-centred, neurodiversity-affirming approach. The book guides the reader through the updated and revised materials, highlighting when to watch particular videos and do the various exercises and activities. It also includes a new audit, which attendees can bring back to their school, service, or workplace to assess their environment against the principles of the SPELL framework and look at ways to make improvements. Aimed at health and social care workers, professionals in the wider education system and employers looking to improve their workplace, this updated revision is also relevant for further settings including those working in mental health services within the community and criminal justice system.
Companion to Understanding and Responding to Autism: The SPELL framework training pack.
Authors
Dr Julie Beadle-Brown is a researcher, consultant and professor in Intellectual and Developmental Disability.
Richard Mills is an experienced autism advisor, who has chaired numerous research groups, helped to develop NICE guidance and authored multiple scientific papers, chapters and articles on autism.
Ruth Moyse is an experienced trainer and facilitator and is Head of Training and Co-production at AT-Autism. Her research interest is the education of autistic children, and autistic mental health and wellbeing.
Joe Powell is Chief Executive of All Wales People First. He is autistic, with first-hand experience of living in learning disability services.
Dr. Zahilah Filzah is the Director and Consultant Paediatrician at Space A Autism Support Centre in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. She is also an Associate Consultant at AT-Autism and a Licensed SPELL Advanced Trainer.Â
Audience
Parents and carers of autistic children, young people and adults; teachers; educators; mental health and other health and social care professionals; mental health workers in wider community settings, students of these professions.
Content
Introduction
Part 1: Understanding Autism
- Terminology
- Neurodiversity
- Cause, prevalence and diagnosis
- Characteristics of autism
- Social communication differences and difficulties
- Intense interests and repetitive/self- stimulating behaviours (stimming)
- The sensory world of autism
- Other features & strengths of autism
- Underlying mechanisms
- Stress and anxiety
- Personal experiences
Part 2: Supporting autistic children and adults
- The SPELL framework
- Structure
- Positive approaches, attitudes and expectations
- Empathy
- Good communication support
SPELL audit
References and further reading
Details
Publisher:Â Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd
ISBN: 9781803884516
Publication date: December 2025
Pages: 170
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