High school environments are complex, fast-paced, and socially demanding. For students with autism, these demands can sometimes result in shutdown behaviors or elopement. This two-hour virtual session is designed for educators working with secondary students with the focus on prevention and proactiveness. Participants will explore the underlying causes of why students with autism shutdown or elope, including cognitive overload, anxiety, social stress, executive functioning demands, and environmental mismatch. Lastly, participants will leave with practical, school-based strategies that increase safety, engagement, and student independence.
This session is free to members of the Special Education Cooperative.