What it’s all about

Autism is easy to understand!

All living beings strive to develop their inherent potential to the best of their ability.
If unimpaired, this leads to the emergence of a coherent self of body and mind. With this we perceive ourselves and our environment, we process the absorbed information and thereupon act in the best possible way, according to our nature.

Every human being is a multi-layered system and follows logical laws in its development. All developmental processes take place simultaneously on different levels. If only one part of the original developmental plan is impaired, this will have consequences in different areas.

Autism is a highly complex course of development, visible is only the tip of the iceberg!

An early disturbance in pregnancy is considered as a possible cause. As a consequence, the entire further development proceeds fundamentally differently and with great differences, depending on the onset and the severity of the impairment. For example, brain functions and even brain anatomy often organize themselves atypically. This results in a wide range of different abilities on the one hand and different impairments on the other.

If we take up the brain-physiological cause of autism and dovetail it with other theories, e.g. on early childhood development or communication, on the functioning of the brain or on the construction of knowledge, a whole new view opens up: Some things that previously seemed strange or inexplicable can now be understood and appreciated as personally meaningful and systemic development under difficult conditions.

My offer

Autism is easy to understand – I will be very happy to support you in this!

I offer lectures and seminars, in which we explore the foundations of brain physiology and developmental psychology in  comprehensible language and with the use of graphics. Next, we elaborate and contrast the neurotypical and the autistic course of development. Moreover, we look at the regularities within the course of an impaired development and the compensation mechanisms resulting from this. We highlight different levels and areas, illustrate them and then put them into a chronological order. By doing so, you will gain awareness of this profoundly different developmental trajectory.

This kind of discussion at the neuronal level enables a initial understanding of many difficulties autistic persons experience. The concept of neurodiversity can be grasped easily, as well as how the wide scope of symptoms arises. This results in a thorough insight into autism and a new and appreciative view of those affected!

 

My target groups are

  • Persons from the autism spectrum and their relatives,
  • Educators, special education nurses and teachers,
  • Students of special education/inclusion, developmental psychopathology and speech therapy education,
  • all interested individuals.

Lecture contents

  • Aspects of embryonic and early childhood development,
  • Principles and operating principles of the human brain,
  • the emotive and cognitive embodiment,
  • the build-up of knowledge,
  • aspects of language development,
  • the development of compensatory mechanisms,
    … from this follows …

The lecture takes about 60 to 90 minutes, followed by a break and discussion. In half- or full-day courses we will take up different aspects of the topic and deepen them.

I gladly adapt my knowledge individually to your questions and practical examples are very welcome!  For preparation, I need a short description of the respective situation.

My fee depends on the length of the course and the number of participants. I will be happy to arrange this with you personally.

Please contact me at info@susanne-ott.com !

Me, myself, I

The desire to learn and the desire to travel – inner and outer journeys – have always broadened my horizons.

My life’s journey has often connected me with people on the spectrum: During a school internship at a day support center, I met an autistic person for the first time, which ignited my curiosity. At that time, however, no one could tell as to why autistic people are different. During my stay of several years at ‘Garvald Community’, I learned to appreciate many of the strengths and skills of autistic people in their everyday interactions.

My studies in special needs education in Bremen were probably my greatest journey, because they opened my eyes to the hidden worlds within these visible ones. The essence of my studies was the knowledge of “Self” and “Other” and how dialogue is the precondition for any development.

I learned about the complex laws on a systemic level and their manifold interconnections. All living beings are subject to these principles, which are based on an active-dynamic unfolding approach. This knowledge led to a new and comprehensive perspective, it enabled me to elaborate a broader picture of autism and led to an authentic understanding of this developmental process!

After a period working with young people and adults, I now work in early intervention, including with children on the spectrum, which I really enjoy. My work focuses on exercises to regulate the body, on sensory integration and on the development of practical life skills.

In order to improve the quality of life of people on the spectrum, I would like to raise awareness about autism and make practical approaches known. Based on my research work on autism and language acquisition, “Why verbs are green”, I am developing my lecture and seminar program. My qualifications are based on many years of practical experience and solid theoretical knowledge – both of which I am happy to pass on to you!

 

Professional qualifications and occupations

  • Special needs pedagogy, German and Educational Sciences at the University of Bremen (Prof. Feuser and Prof. Jantzen),
  • Teacher training at the Edinburgh Steiner Teacher Training Course,
  • Long term Employment at Garvald Community in the Borders Region of Scotland, especially with autistic adolescents and adults,
  • Bakery and Arts & Crafts teacher in Garvald’s therapeutic setting

My expertise

Professional training and activities

  • Currently I work as an early intervention specialist in various daycare centers,
  • 2010 – 2022  work in residential groups for autistic, learning disabled or traumatized adults,
  • 2001 – 2009 Study of special needs pedagogy according to the so-called cultural-historical school; German and  German literature and Educational Science at the University of Bremen (Prof. Feuser and Prof. Jantzen),
  • 1991 – 1993 teacher training at the Edinburgh Steiner Teacher Training Course,
  • 1988 – 1993 several years of working and living in the community of Garvald in Scotland, especially work with autistic adolescents and adults,
  • Bakery and arts and crafts teacher in the therapeutic setting of Garvald.

 

Publications

„Autismus und Spracherwerb anders denken!“ –
‘Autism and language aquisition – a new approach’
In: BEHINDERTENPÄDAGOGIK (2010), Heft 3, S. 268 – 283

„Warum Verben grün sind“ – ‘Why verbs are green’
2012, Peter Lang, Frankfurt am Main