SPECTRUM: Lifespan Autism Resources & Training is an exciting, innovative online course, developed collaboratively with stakeholders from across the Columbia Basin. Almost four years in the making, it offers perspectives about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across the lifespan, using a story-based multimedia approach.
Lessons are presented through shared interviews and real-life case example stories that elaborate on the content while bringing information and insights into context.
SPECTRUM will appeal to Education Assistants, Teachers, Early Childhood Educators, Caregivers and Community Support Workers who want to increase their qualifications and broaden their resume. In School Districts 51, 10, 8 , 5 and 20, this course meets the Autism Training Requirements.
The training and resources are also valuable for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, coaches, store clerks, bus drivers, individuals with ASD and anyone living in community.
Celebrating Our Success!
Offered for the first time as a pilot program in January 2018, SPECTRUM is now ready for the world. Your feedback has been invaluable and invigorating.
This course will begin on the third Monday of every month and can accommodate up to 20 students per session. SPECTRUM consists of 12 modules to be completed at your own pace (on average 2-3 hours per module). With support from our team, learn from home as it fits into your schedule.
Registration: Use the link below to register online or call 250.365.1208 to register with our friendly staff. You can also email Castlegar Community Education & Workplace Training or visit any of our Selkirk Centres and register in person.
Register Now: view current course listings and register online.
Join the SPECTRUM Community Online
Join our growing online community on Facebook - SPECTRUM: LifeSpan Autism Training & Resources.
Follow Our Blog!
It's a place where you can get to know us better – our philosophy, our guiding principles. It’s also a place where you can leave us notes, be part of a conversation. Read an excerpt below and continue on our page:
Drawing to a Close, SPECTRUM pilot is complete:
"We’ve been thrilled at the response to the stories, and most especially, to the videos of the local people who were gracious enough to allow us to interview them, to speak candidly to us and to share their lives and their experiences. The students have responded with resounding chorus that this was a powerful way to embed their learning in the real world, to understand and see real-life implications of the curricular work."
An Overview...
SPECTRUM:
- is online, providing flexibility, making it accessible for parents and working professionals
- has a lifespan focus from early years to seniors, offering practical applications in applied settings
- offers varied perspectives on each topic through interviews and research and is appreciative in its approach
- uses multi-modal teaching with adaptations like Closed Captioning of videos and information on the online platform available in text to speech
- includes real-life case example stories to elaborate on the content while bringing information and insights into context
- has a regional focus using filmed interviews with local stakeholders as well as local information and resources
- includes technical and content support
Each SPECTRUM module includes:
- a warm welcome exploring the relevance of each topic
- stories and interviews
- information about the topic presented as a “book”
- relevant current links to articles and videos and resources
- activities and self-assessment tools
- a helpful downloadable handout including practical tools
SPECTRUM Topics Include:
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History, Labels, and Neurodiversity
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What is ASD?
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Communication
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Strategies for Communication and Social Interaction
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Understanding Behaviour
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Supporting Positive Behaviours
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Sensory Processing
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Underlying Differences
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Diagnosis and Prevalence
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Evidence-Based Theories, Causes and Treatments
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Significant Transitions Through the Lifespan
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Celebrating Strengths
Program At-A-Glance
In the News
Offered for the first time by Selkirk College as a pilot program, SPECTRUM is now ready to deliver invaluable resources about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to the world. It's an exciting, innovative online course offering perspectives about ASD across the lifespan to increase awareness and understanding.
Autism touches many people and families. With this comes an increasing need for awareness and understanding of practical resources and approaches for supporting situations in many contexts—schools, homes, community.