By Cricel Elises, ASP Admin Assistant
The ASP National conducted back-to-back seminars on “Vocational Training for Persons with Autism” and “ABCs of Job Coaching” last 28 July 2012 at Quality Life Discoveries, Murphy Cubao Quezon City. Ms. Evelyn O. Go, ASP National Treasurer and Mr. Fortunato R. Agbayani, ASP Board of Trustee came to support the participants.
Our speaker Ms. Maria Yolanda Michelle A. Bautista, known to many as Teacher Landa, is the Curriculum Director of The Learning Center, Inc. (TLC), a non stock, non-profit special education school for individuals with special needs. Teacher Landa is a staunch advocate of individuals with special needs and is a recognized expert in special education and childhood development. She lectures and writes professional recommendations through her “Dear Teacher Landa” blog.
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| Teacher Landa Bautista leads Vocation Readiness and Job Coaching seminar |
Vocational training for persons with autism
The participants were tooled with basic knowledge on vocational training for person with autism by presenting vocational skills & transition training concepts, principles, & best practices.
Teacher Landa discussed the use of the structured teaching principle based on the acclaimed TEACCH approach. She presented models of vocational preparation and its components, shared experiences from vocational skills training and life skills training programs and tackle work transition concerns like anxiety and social interaction.
According to the attendees:
- “The speaker is excellent”
- “The subject matter is relevant to our needs. It helps our vocational program improve our way of giving vocational activities on the student and to improve collaborations of therapy”.
ABCs of Job Coaching
Teacher Landa discussed the concepts, practices and principles of Job Coaching in the afternoon session. She shared guidelines & tips and clarified roles and responsibilities of coaches in the workplace.
Teacher Landa stressed that work is more than just a livelihood or paycheck; it is the key to a satisfying and productive life. For many on the autism spectrum, it is the glue that keeps lives together in an otherwise frustrating and confusing world.
The Job Coach was defined as a para-professional and or professional staff responsible for teaching job skills and associated behaviors, to students and adults with disabilities. These individuals were advised to live by these simple fundamental ABCs:
- A is for awareness to explore all of the possible networks -- from family, friends, schools and the community.
- B is for bridging the gap from the school to the job site. The Job Coach needs to educate the company, talk to the manager or person in charge. It is important to orient the company’s personnel by giving seminars and orientation.
- C is for customize and strategize. Job coaches are expected to analyze the job task, provide structured and incidental instruction. Job coaches are expected to handle all aspects of job place preparation -- from exploring possible job sites to preparing the OJT, from preparing the company by giving information of their students to providing on-the-job evaluation for the OJT and his family.
Below are feedback from the attendees:
- “The speaker delivers the subject matter clearly.”
- “The subject matter is relevant to my needs as a teacher”.
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