AUsome Training – Supporting autistic students in the dance studio CPD Workshop

Evaleen Whelton – founder of AUsome Training

Evaleen Whelton made the wonderful discovery that she is Autistic in 2014 at the age of 37. Immediately after making this discovery Evaleen set up classes for Autistic kids to help make the world a less confusing place for them. She also wanted to save them much of the trouble she had experienced in social interactions throughout her life.

Evaleen had already been teaching Speech and Drama to children and young adults for 15 years by then, setting up first a stage school preparing pupils for exams, feis and stage. She later set up Konfident Kidz which took a different approach to using drama to develop confidence rather than placing performance as the end goal. Her Konnect program specifically for Autistic children was designed using drama as a teaching tool to teach children how non-autistic people communicate and ways to decode their meaning and intentions. It also supported Autistic kids to connect with other Autistic kids and to learn helpful ways to advocate for themselves.

She has authored 6 books for Autistic kids and teens and for those who support them. Her book “Standing Up For Myself” is the very first book recommended by Therapist Neurodiversity Collective as a perfect alternative to Social Skills Training and her work in this area is internationally acclaimed.

Over the years, Evaleen has trained thousands of parents and professionals by concentrating her efforts on raising appreciation for Autistic experiences and delivering educational workshops both in Ireland and internationally. She set about her journey to normalise the perception of Autistic people in the wider community by setting up www.ausometraining.com. Her organisation AUsome Training is Ireland’s Autistic-led Training Provider who provide revolutionary alternatives to outdated and often damaging ideas and practices on Autistic people.

All of her work centres on the rights and dignity of Autistic people and she has played a pivotal role in changing practices used on Autistic people both here and abroad. Evaleen’s experience both as a teacher, parent and Autistic person means she brings many insights and empathy to her training, sharing her personal experiences and expertise as a teacher.

6 hours Time-Valued CPD

Members of the Royal Academy of Dance receive discounts on all CPD activities.

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If you have any questions or concerns regarding the above, please contact the CPD Team, cpd@rad.org.uk.

If you have any questions about this activity, please contact the CPD Team, cpd@rad.org.uk.