Date:

Friday 31st May, 2024

Time:

9:00am – 3:30pm

Venue:

The Autism Training Hub, Giant Steps, Gladesville, Sydney

Cost:

$260

Course Description

Registered Music Therapists and music therapy students are invited to attend our full day workshop at Giant Steps Sydney, where we will share some of the rich knowledge and practical music resources developed by the music therapy team to engage students with autism.

Coming from the school context, we will examine the advantages and challenges of working with individuals and groups, the crucial role of support staff in music sessions and how collaboration can maximise confidence in supporting students. Current research from neurology, psychology and music therapy will be discussed, along with how it informs our practice and enables advocacy for our work. We will also look at programming considerations including assessment strategies, goal setting, and decision making around equipment purchases.

Bronte, Lene and Vanessa will share a practical range of songs, instrumental activities and dances specifically designed to target a range of individual and group goals. There will also be the opportunity, under the guidance of the facilitators, to create a resource for your own work.

This will be a hands-on workshop, so come expecting to sing, play, move and groove!

This day will earn 6 CPD points, and certificates will be sent by email after the course.

Presenter – Bronte Arns

Bronte Arns is the National Director of Music Therapy for Giant Steps Australia and has been leading music programs in the school since 2003. Her recent research focused on transdisciplinary practice and how music therapists share information across discipline boundaries. She is passionate about empowering others to use music to support the engagement, regulation and wellbeing of neuro-diverse students in schools.

Presenter – Lene Jeffrey

Lene Jeffrey has supported students of all ages as a Music Therapist at Giant Steps since 2013. She has presented her work on self-reflective music therapy methods, the use of tablets for enhancing the music therapy experience of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, dance and movement in music therapy and multicultural family-centred practice at national and international conferences, and is a recipient of the Denise Grocke Award for excellence.

Presenter – Vanessa Lucas

Vanessa Lucus is a music therapist with 11 years experience. She has a strong interest in supporting individuals with Autism to have access to community arts-based experiences, collaborating with organisations including the Sydney Opera House, Opera Australia and Bell Shakespeare Theatre. Essential to the success of these initiatives has been building awareness of the needs of individuals with autism to access autism-friendly performances and services. Vanessa has presented at a number of national and international conferences.

For enquiries about this course, please contact Bronte Arns at bronte.arns@giantsteps.net.au / 0411 289 731. Please contact autismhub@giantsteps.net.a to be included on our mailing list.

The Autism Hub Professional Learning courses aim to increase participants’ knowledge and confidence to best support the learning of autistic children and adults. Proudly supported by Future Generation Australia.