Paddock Play

Overview: This training has been developed with input directly from Autistic advocates to provide both education about Autism and also insight into the lived experience of Autistic people, to further develop participants capacity for Autistic and neurodiversity affirming practice.

This speciality training is for practitioners working with/ interested in working with Autistic children and young people, specifically in the space of providing Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning and/or Nature-based supports.  

We will enhance the learning experience by coming together each week to share case examples in a discussion group that is guided by Nadine Delaney, AMHSW, experienced Equine Assisted Psychotherapist and Supervisor, with many years of experience in supporting Autistic people and Diana Waters, Accredited Counsellor and Equine Assisted Psychotherapist, who has lived experiences of being Autistic. 

Objectives: Have an in-depth understanding of the lived experience of Autism for children and young people to be able to effectively support Autistic clients in your equine assisted and/or nature-based practice.    

Apply a holistic, systems informed approach when offering Therapeutic and learning supports to a range of Autistic children and young people, including those who are non-speaking.

Apply an Autistic-affirming approach to your Therapy/learning space, your practice’s policies and procedures, session planning and delivery, Therapeutic / learning goals and outcome measures. 

Deliver an Autistic affirming approach, using the ‘Square Model’ (Mitchelson and Clarke, 2022) to a range of equine and nature-based experiences with autistic clients.

Understand the opportunities for engaging music, play, creativity, animals and nature into sessions with children and young people, to address their executive function, communication, sensory and interoceptive needs.  

Demonstrate an internalised autistic affirming mindset through a series of opportunities for self-reflection and clinical awareness to effective support Autistic clients.  

Who will benefit: This educational series will be targeted at practitioners working with, or interested in working with Autistic children and young people, specifically in the space of providing Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning and/or Nature-based supports. 

How it is different to other ‘training’: We honour the importance of having Autistic people at the forefront of the delivery of information around Autism; leading us to deepen our understanding of our Autistic clients and internalise a neuroaffirming approach so we can better engage in inclusive and empowering practices.

The educational information in this series is delivered by Autistic people via a series of consultation type interviews. The ‘interviewees’ are all Autistic and have either engaged in Equine/Animal Assisted Therapy themselves or specialise in supporting autistic children and their families. They generously offer their insight, expertise and lived- experience.

The series includes interviews with the following people:

Allison Davies: www.allisondavies.com.au
Shadia Hancock: www.autismactually.com.au
Summer Farrelly: www.summerfarrelly.com.au
Rachel Dorsey: www.dorseyslp.com
Dr Emma Goodall: www.healthypossibilities.net
Sarah Hayden: www.chloehayden.com.au

Each are Autistic/ND advocates who have their own, unique offerings. You can learn more about them by clicking on the links to their websites.

Increasing the richness of this learning experience, we are privileged to have Diana Walters as part of our group discussions. This is an integral part of the delivery of this program and Diana generously shares her lived experiences as an Autistic person and an EAP Practitioner. Diana is also an experienced and compassionate riding coach with a particular passion for equine affirming Horsepersonship which she brings into every interaction with her own horses, her riding clients and supporting other EAP/EAL practitioners.

Delivery Format:

In your own time:  In the week prior to our group session, each participant is invited to watch 1 selected pre-recorded interview (approximately 1 hour duration).

Weekly Online Sessions: We will meet up as a group via zoom, for 6 x weekly face-to-face sessions, each session will run from 10am to 12pm (AEST) – 2 hours.

During this time, we will discuss the key themes from the interview and explore how we implement this knowledge into our practice as EAP/EAL practitioners. These sessions are also an opportunity for participants to further develop their neurodiversity affirming practice by presenting a case or series of questions for discussion with the group. Two participants will be allocated a timeslot each week to share their practice experiences and receive support, guidance and advice from the group, in a similar manner to group consultation sessions.

Each group session will be recorded, so if you can’t make 1 session, or several, you’ll still be able to continue your learning journey. Certificate of attendance will be provided afterwards and these training hours may be applicable for CPD requirements for the AASW, APS, ACA and PACFA. Please check with your registration body for your individual circumstances.

Group size: Maximum of 12 participants

Cost: $660. A 50% deposit of $330 is required to secure your place.

The final payment is due by 7th May 2024.

Payment plans are available. Please inquire about this on application

Cancellations: Participants can withdraw up to 3 weeks prior, by COB 16th April 2024. Their deposit will be refunded, minus a $100 administration fee. Cancellations thereafter are non-refundable.

Pre-requisites: Participants must be completing or have already completed a certification in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy /Learning.

What this course is not:·        

• A course in the basics of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/Learning. It is additional education, around a specific client group, for practitioners already certified/on the  pathway to certification.
• A detailed course in the pathology of Autism.
• A program of strategies to ‘fix’, ‘change’, ‘cure’ or ‘treat’ Autistic children.
• Instructions on how to work with autistic people – it is a dynamic exploration of ideas within a neuroaffirming framework, and the opportunity to explore, understand  and become deeply immersed in internalising a neuroaffirming mind-set which will enable you to be empowered to know how to effectively support neurodiverse clients.
• A course filled with checklists of activities and detailed session plans. Our clients are dynamic and individual, and we are flexible and creative practitioners who can follow their lead and find learning opportunities along the way.
• Filled with one-way presentations. We expect and encourage participants to learn and grow together, by bring along their questions, curiosities and triumphs and sharing them with the group for a rich learning experience.

 Over the 6 weeks, we will cover topics such as:        

• What is Autism and the Neurodiversity paradigm.
• How to instil a positive mindset for CYP, their families and other systems around neurodiversity.
• Writing strength-based, neurodiversity affirming Therapy and Learning goals.
• Brain care vs behaviour management and how working outside is good for brain care.
• Co-regulation in the Therapeutic relationship.
• Meltdowns: the necessary cycle and the role of self -care and unconditional self-compassion.
• The benefits of rhythm, music, connection and creativity.
• The intersectionality of Autism and gender diversity.
• The additional challenges that Autistic people face when living with an Eating Disorder from a Sarah Hayden’s perspective as a mother and Therapist and how the horse supported her daughter, Chloe Hayden’s journey to recovery.
• The latest research and key findings guiding our practice to support Autistic clients develop their interoceptive awareness.
• The key foundational skills to developing resilience and independence in Autistic children.
• How do connections with nature and animals enhance emotional wellbeing for Autistic people.
• What can be helpful to manage energy levels in the day-to-day life of an Autistic person.
• What can horses teach us about processing emotions and how animals help co-regulate.
• How working with horses can help Autistic people feel valued, just as they are.
• How do horses/animals assist Autistic children learn about relationships with humans.
• Exploring the challenges for Autistic people with verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Supporting non-speaking Autistic clients.

What you’ll receive:        

• 12 hours of online group consultation, each session being record and provided to the group.
• 6+ hours of content, around a range of topics relevant to supporting Autistic clients, delivered by Autistic Advocates from both Australia and overseas and life-time access to this content.
• Downloadable resources.
• Certificate of Attendance.

BOOKINGS: Please contact us at admin@hvct.com.au , advising of your interest in this educational series and providing your full name, email address and which model of EAP/EAL you have completed your certification with.

We will then send you an invoice for the deposit. Please note that this invoice is due once you receive it, and your placement is not secured until the deposit has been paid.

Given the limited places in this series, if you haven’t paid your invoice within 1 week, your place will be offered to the next person on the waiting list.