Vocational training on Communication and Teaching Approaches in Autism Spectrum Disorders Erasmus Project

Project Title

Vocational training on Communication and Teaching Approaches in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Disabilities – special needs; Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

Title: Vocational training on Communication and Teaching Approaches in Autism Spectrum Disorders-TrainASD

The aim of TrainASD was the creation of a European -level strategic partnership and know-how exchange network for vocational training of professionals in the field of ASD. This was achieved through the implementation of a large-scale training program on the use of alternative systems of communication for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders by professional and also the management of the National curriculum for students with ASD by their teachers. The target population of the project was teachers for students with ASD in Europe. All the partners were strongly involved involved in the project activities and contributed to tyhe succes of the project.

The target group was mainly teachers but also other professionals, specialists and practitioners in the field of teaching methods and alternative systems of communication, for children with ASD.

Project activities:
– “AUTISM EDUCATION NEED ANALYSIS REPORT FOR GREECE, ROMANIA, AND BELGIUM”. The need analysis contains the learning requirements and today’s approaches regarding the systematic observation and assessment of children in autism spectrum through desk and field research in the partner countries. The field research was applied to 701 participants from 3 countries: Greece, Romania, Belgium.
– Exchange of know-how, expertise and best practices among researchers, specialists and practitioners in the field of teaching methods, alternative systems of communication, management of behavioral difficulties of children with ASD.
– https://elearning.train-asd.eu. The e-learning platform is provided supports 4 languages (namely English, Greek, Romanian and French) in the navigation of the platform as well the provided material that includes the e-learning courses, the e-books and the final questionnaires.
There also additional information on the use of the platform and a welcome video where Prof.Syriopoulou (project manager) presents the project.
Users are able to register (in the language version they choose) in order to attend classes. If they successfully complete the 12 digital lessons and the final questionnaire, they obtain a certificate.
– 12 e-Learning SCORM compatible lessons, 1 e-book (containing the whole material) and one final questionnaire in English, Greek, Romanian and French language have been developed and uploaded in the platform, covering the following topics:
1. Communication and ASD: An Overview
2. Systematic observation: Assessment and triggering of communication
3. TEACCH
4. Makaton
5. Assistive technology and inclusion
6. PECS
7. Tips in Classroom
8. Child Development
9. Oral Motor Sensory Stimulation for Children with Autism
10. Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
11. Managing Behavior Problems
12. Social Stories
– One virtual SP-VET-SHORT – Short-term joint staff training events for the training of trainers which provided the pilots in each country
– 2 pilot trials of the platform:
1st Pilot trial (April-May 2020). Participants: 7 special educators from Greece which evaluated the platform and the e-Learning courses and made
valuable comments that helped the team to improve the digital environment.
2nd Pilot trial (July 2020). Participants: 7 special educators from Romania and 6 special educators from Greece
Τhe pilot trial of this phase helped the team to confirm the educational value and usefulness of the environment.
– Creation of an E-book titled “Handbook of Best Practices: Education and Communication of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders”
– 2 training promotion events in Greece and Romania in order to attract trainees and inform the relevant stakeholders about the project.
– Presentation of the project at ASD-EAST Brussels Online Final Conference Online, 8-28 June 2020.1300 professionals participated across Europe
– 3 on line final conferences in each participating country, in which various stakeholders and individuals from other target groups were informed about the project and its possibilities, as well as the exploitation of the project’s intellectual outputs and results.

Partners:
Leader: University of Macedonia-GR,
Greek Scientific Federation of Special Education-GR
University of Bucharest – RO
Interlearn-GR
Autism Europe – BE
Pantelis Makris- CY

Project Website

http://www.train-asd.eu/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 164732,76 Eur

Project Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF MACEDONIA & Country: EL

Project Partners

• Greek Scientific Foundation of Special Education
• UNIVERSITATEA DIN BUCURESTI
• AUTISME-EUROPE AISBL
• INTELEARN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN LEARNING ETAIREIA PERIORISMENIS EYTHINIS