Nothing is more powerful
than an idea whose time has come.
Victor Hugo
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 development of a coherent Self consisting of body and mind. With this, we perceive ourselves and our environment, we process the information we receive and act thereupon 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 development plan is impaired, this has consequences in different areas.
Autism is a highly complex developmental process; visible is only the tip of the iceberg!
An impairment during early pregnancy is considered to be a possible cause. Subsequently, the entire further development proceeds fundamentally different and varies greatly, depending on the onset and severity of the impact. For example, brain functions and even brain anatomy often organize themselves atypically. This results in a broad spectrum of different abilities on the one hand and a wide range of 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 on communication, on the functioning of the brain or on the construction of knowledge, a completely new perspective 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.
There is nothing more practical than a good theory!
There is nothing more practical
than a good theory!
Kurt Lewin
My offer
Autism is easy to understand – I am very happy to support you in this!
I offer lectures and seminars for professionals in the field of education and teaching. In these, different levels and areas of individual neurotypical and autistic / neurodivergent development are highlighted and clarified. A comparison of the two, followed by a chronological classification, enables us to understand the challenges of autistic people initially on a neuronal level.
Lecture content
- Aspects of embryonic and early childhood development
- Fundamentals and functioning of the human brain
- Brain physiology and developmental psychology of autism
- the principle of embodiment (emotive and cognitive embodiment)
- the neurotypical and autistic course of development
- the construction of knowledge
- Aspects of the organization of operations relating to language development
- regularities within impaired development and subsequent compensation mechanisms.
Target groups
- People on the autism spectrum and their relatives
- Educators, curative education nurses and teachers
- Students of special education/inclusion, developmental psychopathology and speech therapy education
- all interested parties.
My lectures are aimed at professionals and laypeople alike. They are delivered in generally understandable language and illustrated using vivid graphics.
They last approx. 60 to 90 minutes, allowing time for questions. In the half-day or full-day training courses, we address different aspects of the topic and explore them in greater depth.
I gladly adapt my knowledge to your individual questions. Practical examples are very welcome; I need a brief description of the situation in order to prepare myself.
My fee depends on the length of the event and the number of participants. I will be happy to arrange this with you personally on request.
- I look forward to your inquiry, you can book me at info@susanne-ott.com.
Patience and humor are two camels with whom one can cross every desert.
Patience and humor are two camels
with whom one can cross every desert.
Arabic Proverb
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),
Degree: 1st state examination for special education teaching at public schools - 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