Understanding and supporting children's well-being & development.
This course explores the unique and often misunderstood ways that autistic children engage in play and build friendships. Drawing on current research and the lived experiences of autistic individuals, it challenges conventional ideas and highlights the value of neurodiverse approaches to social interaction and imaginative play. The course is ideal for educators, health professionals, play workers, support staff, and parents who want to better support autistic children in inclusive settings.
Participants will receive practical, step-by-step strategies for facilitating play-based learning and peer interaction. Activities and reflections will help deepen understanding, encourage respectful practice, and inspire new ways to create inclusive, playful environments. A focus on enriching play and friendship experiences emphasizes acceptance and supports the development of meaningful social connections.
Dr Carmel Conn, PhD., is Associate Professor at the University of South Wales in the UK, where she is Course Leader for the Masters in autism. Her expertise is in inclusive education and disability having worked for over twenty years as an educational practitioner across pre-school, primary and secondary school settings. As a researcher, Carmel is interested in investigating autistic children’s experiences within education and has sought to provide a better understanding of what constitutes effective support for this group of learners. Carmel has published numerous academic articles on autism, childhood and inclusive pedagogy. She has also produced a number of books, including Autism and the Social World of Childhood, Play and Friendship in Inclusive Autism Education (both published by Routledge), and most recently, Autism, Pedagogy and Education: Critical Issues for Value-based Teaching (Palgrave Macmillan).
