Autism and the Predictive Mind, Absolute Thinking in a Relative World: Practical Implications for Treatment and Intervention

Description

Many ideas about the autistic brain are based on conceptions about the human brain that are outdated. The computer as a metaphor for the brain, with its input, processing and output, has been very useful in the past but seems to be incorrect in the light of recent discoveries in brain science. The brain is not a computer: the brain is guessing more than it is computing. In order to make these smart guesses, the brain has developed a unique characteristic: contextual sensitivity. The brain uses context to predict the world. This is known as the predictive coding account of human information processing. But what if your brain is not so talented in using context? What if your brain does think in absolutes? This is the case in autism. Difficulty seeing and understanding context can explain why people with autism have difficulties with communication, social interaction, sensory stimuli, and flexible thinking and behavior in daily living.

This course will explain the concept of absolute thinking (reduced contextual sensitivity in predicting the world). The predictive coding perspective offers some thought-provoking new ideas, such as why traditional emotion recognition programs and traditional social skills training are not a good idea for children with autism and why autism friendliness is not the same as eliminating or reducing stimuli. The predictive coding perspective will change some of the currently used strategies in autism and offer new, dynamic strategies and solutions.

This program is offered for 0.6 ASHA CEUs (Beginner level, Professional Area).
This link can be used to access the course brochure which contains the speakers’ disclosures.

TheraMoves is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# pending. This distant learning -interactive course is offered at 0.6 CEUs, a beginner educational level, in the area of occupational therapy service delivery. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

TheraMoves Services, LLC, is Approved for Sponsor by New York State Board for OTs & OTAs

Approved by NYSED for Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE hours) (CTLE approval 23490)

Approved for Social Workers by the NY State ED Dept. #SW-0499

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About the Instructor

Peter Vermeulen, PhD in Psychology and Clinical Educational Sciences, has more than 35 years of experience in the field of autism. Founder of “Autism in Context”, where autism is understood in context. Peter is an internationally respected lecturer/trainer and he presents all over the world.Read More

What Our Course Participants Say

"Peter has a gift for breaking it down in such practical terms." – George

"As an Education Assistant and parent of a child with Autism, I found Peter connected not only to what is happening in the brains of individuals with Autism but also to what parents and teachers need to know in order to teach and support effectively both at home and in our school environments. " – Kay, Perth, Australia

"Best presentation graphics ever! Feel like I understand the ASD student in a more in-depth way. I feel so much smarter! Thank you." – Tracee

"Fantastic fascinating new perspective on approaching autistic (and any) children! Dr. Vermeulen shared so many interesting and useful ideas and tied it together in a very useful understandable way." – Randi, OT

"Gives great context to and correlation between executive function (Sara Ward) and social thinking (Michele Garcia Winner) strategies and techniques" – Devorah, SLP

"Peter Vermeulen was so incredibly engaging; he did a fantastic job of breaking down difficult concepts and making them feel absolutely approachable. " – Diana, OT