Saturday, January 15, 2011

Bennetta Benson Workshops in Portage

Bennetta Benson, with the OHEYS camp in Winnipeg, will be in Portage la Prairie on January 24th to deliver two workshops. The first workshop, from 9:00 - 11:45 am, will be "Teaching Free Play Skills to Children with Autism". Children with autism are often unable to engage in free-play activities, and must be taught the steps involved in the skill of free play. With free-play skills, children also learn important interpersonal skills that allow them to become more successful at interacting with peers and developing friendships.

In the afternoon, from 1:00 to 3:30, Bennetta will present on "Teens with Autism/Asperger's - Challenges to Teaching and Learning". Teens with autism/Asperger's present different challenges than children in the early years, including increase social pressures and physical changes. Understanding the social thinking process underlying autism/AS is the key to effective teaching strategies.

Both of these workshops are open to educators, EA's, daycare/nursery school workers, and parents. Register for these workshops by contacting Rochelle Rands at the Portage la Prairie School Division, and download the brochure for more information.