Education Autism Contact Details - educateautism@thomaswallnursery.org.uk

Educate Autism is a virtual training environment designed to support the sharing of best practice within the field of autism education.  The training is developed and delivered by Dr Sian Benedict-Owen MA ED Merit (SEN) PhD QTS FCOT FCollT.

Dr Benedict-Owen - Pen Portrait

With 20 years experience working in SEND education Dr Benedict-Own is the Head of Base/SENDCO of The Dragonflies Assessment and Intervention Base, an Early Years Specialist Base in Sutton for  nursery-aged children with complex social communication difficulties (SCD) and/or autism.

Previous positions include Local Authority SEND Advisory Teacher (Area SENDCo), Class Teacher and Early Years Co-ordinator in a primary-aged school for children with severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties, and autism.

Her doctoral research addressed 'Factors influencing SEND support within the early years sector.  Her masters dissertation focused on the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)  modalities with children on the autistic spectrum. 

Her academic  publications include 'Steps towards the Development of an On-Line Virtual Educational Support and Social Interface Link (VESSIL) System for Parents of Children presenting with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)' and 'The Development of an On-Line Virtual Educational Support and Social Interface Link (VESSIL) System for Parents of Children Presenting with and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Designed to Support Inclusive Education'.

Dr Benedict-Owen has an extensive knowledge and expertise in using an eclectic mix of research - based intervention styles and strategies  including TEACCH, PECS, SCERTS, Colourful Semantics, Attention Autism, identiplay, TacPac, Intensive Interaction, Makaton, and sensory diets.

Dr Benedict- Owen is committed to the provision of high quality specialist educational experiences for children and their parents.