​

ABOUT DR. STEPHEN SHORE'S PRESENTATION

​

Senses and Sensibilities: An Inside View on Recognizing and Supporting Individuals with Sensory Issues

​

In this presentation with Dr. Stephen Shore you will learn:  

​

• Easy to implement, practical solutions for supporting autistic people to accommodate for and thrive with their sensory differences.

• Suggestions to make schools, places of employment, the home, and the community sensory friendly so that autistic individuals can reach their maximum potential.

• Examples of how sensory differences can be used as an advantage to promote success for autistic people commonly exceeding that of typical individuals.

• Experience a visceral sense of the effect of how sensory overload affects an autistic person in order to develop empathy for individuals having to sensory differences.

​

The inclusion of sensory issues in the narrative of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5), suggests greater formal recognition of sensory processing dysfunction as a characteristic of the autism spectrum.

 

Following a brief introduction by Stephen, the presentation opens with a video of an activity giving participants a sense (pun intended) of what sensory overload may feel like to a person on the autism spectrum.

 

Focus then turns to the neurology of sensory processing and how dysfunction contributes to sensory issues that many on the autism spectrum experience.

 

Using personal examples from the Dr. Shore, others on the autism spectrum, and case studies, the next portion of the presentation will examine what teachers, social workers, professionals in allied fields, and others supporting those with autism will notice when sensory processing dysfunction occurs for an individual in school, at home, at work, and in the community.

 

These observations are followed by easy to implement, practical solutions for developing accommodations to help these individuals regulate their sensory system.

 

The presentation ends with a review of the many books, DVDs, equipment, and assessment instruments such as the Sensory Profile by Winnie Dunn and Catana Brown that exist for helping to support a person with autism in determining a person’s sensory profile in order to develop appropriate accommodations and treatment for ameliorating sensory issues.

​

From this presentation you will...

​

• Be able to identify when a person may experience sensory overload.

• Increase your empathy towards how sensory overload can affect an autistic person.

• Increase your awareness and knowledge to easily assess sensory profiles of autistic individuals and for themselves should they so choose.

• Learn what types of environments create sensory challenges for autistic people.

• Discover the common terminology for effectively describing sensory differences, sensory challenges, and their solutions.

• Be able to reframe the term “self-stimulatory behaviour” into the much more useful term “self-regulatory behaviour”.

• non-judgementally recognize “self-regulatory behaviour” and, when necessary, be able to provide alternative and less intrusive strategies, empowering the autistic person to still get their sensory needs met.

• Be given specific examples of how sensory differences can be employed to an autistic person’s advantage.

• provided with specific resources for additional learning about, recognizing, assessing, and providing support to autistic individuals experiencing sensory challenges.

​

Who is this presentation for? 

​

This presentation is ideally suited for 

​

• Parents of children, teenagers or adults on the autism spectrum 

• Professionals/educators working with children, teenagers, or adults with autism.

• Anyone wanting to learn more about supporting autistic people experiencing sensory overload.

​

​

-----------------------------------------

​

ABOUT DR. STEPHEN SHORE

​

Diagnosed with "Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies" and "too sick" for outpatient treatment Dr. Shore was recommended for institutionalization.

 

Nonspeaking until 4, and with much support from his parents, teachers, wife, and others, Stephen is now a full time professor at Adelphi University and adjunct at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, focusing on aligning best practice in supporting autistic people to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

 

Besides working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen is an internationally renowned educator, consultant and author on lifespan issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, and self-advocacy.

 

His most recent book, College for Students with Disabilities, combines personal stories and research for promoting success in higher education.

 

A current board member of the Organization for Autism Research (OAR), American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), president emeritus of the Asperger/Autism Network, and advisory board member of the Autism Society, Dr. Shore also serves on the boards of many other autism related organizations.

​

Dr. Shore has spoken at over 1,000 autism conferences since 1997.  

​

As an autistic individual, he strives to combine person, academic, and professional experiences to make fulfilling and productive lives for autistic individuals the rule rather than the exception.

​

Dr. Shore is also the author and coauthor of the following books:  

​

- Understanding Autism For Dummies

​

- College for Students with Disabilities 

​

- Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Aspergers Syndrome

​

- Ask and Tell: Self-Advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum

​

- Living along the Autism Spectrum: What it means to have Autism or Apsergers Syndrome (DVD) 

​