#3: All aboard! Autism and special interests with Richard Semmens and the Engine Shed

Richard Semmens discusses the impact of the special interest group 'The Engine Shed' on the community and the importance of using special interests in engaging children and young people with autism.

The post #3: All aboard! Autism and special interests with Richard Semmens and the Engine Shed appeared first on Autism Spectrum Teacher.

Last Updated on June 30, 2022 by Steph Reed











Podcast Episode Notes

The third episode of the Autism Spectrum Teacher Podcast is about the importance of embracing special interests with special guest Richard Semmens from All Aboard Club (previously known as  the Engine Shed).

“The Engine Shed is a special interest group for children and young people with autism who like trains. They can play, talk and enjoy their interest in a welcoming, safe and relaxing environment – and their parents can talk in a supportive atmosphere. They run open days in Streatham, South London on the 2nd Saturday of every month.”

I visited the engine shed during one of their open days a few weeks ago and had a great time playing with different trains, with children and young people and also had conversations with parents who spoke very positively about The Engine Shed and the impact it was having on them.

If you know someone with autism, which I’m sure you probably do, you will properly have noticed that they may have very high attention to detail, whether that is with a particular object, a particular interest or even noticing detail during an observation of something in a room.

It is frequently recognised that autistic individuals can be highly focused on a topic, toy or object. This is often referred to as a ‘special interest’ (or even an obsession, I personally opt for the terminology of special interest) and these special interests can start from a very young age and may continue through life, or may change regularly to a different focus.

I’ve taught children who have had highly focused interests in dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, the map of London, numbers, letters and many others. Individuals may also be very attached to particular objects or toys such as a book or figure or other object. I taught a child who carried a piece of broken coat hanger everywhere with him.

For a lot of children and adults, methods of transport including buses and trains is a particularly common special interest. Now there are many reasons why trains may be so appealing to autistic individuals and we discuss this further in the podcast. 

 

In the podcast episode, Richard discusses the impact of The Engine Shed on the community, future plans and the importance of using special interests in engaging children and young people with autism.

You can find the All Aboard Club (previously known as The Engine Shed) here:

Website: http://www.allaboardclub.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allaboardclubuk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/allaboardclub

Download Your FREE Inclusive Teaching Strategies Guide!



11 Inclusive teaching strategies to support the learning of all children, not just those with special educational needs.

This guide is made for teaching staff as well as parents and carers.












































Online Training Courses



Take a look at our online courses full of videos and resources to empower you with knowledge, strategies and skills to enhance children's learning and development














Show Me More!

The post #3: All aboard! Autism and special interests with Richard Semmens and the Engine Shed appeared first on Autism Spectrum Teacher.