Training Programs

We translate our research into practice through education and training.

The Social Attention and Communication Surveillance (SACS) tool

Our Principal Research Fellow, Associate Professor Josephine Barbaro, has been working on the early signs of autism in babies and toddlers for more than 15 years. The SACS method identifies a set of behaviours or 'early markers' that are characteristic of children on the autism spectrum, from as young as 12 months old.

Originally implemented in Maternal and Child Health services in Victoria, the SACS method is now used across more than 11 countries.

SACS-R+PR training equips professionals working with under 42 months of age with the necessary skills to effectively identify children on the autism spectrum, discuss their findings with families as part of routine care and provide a streamlined referral pathway for families.

The videos in this online module were recorded during a recent face-to-face workshop. We have included additional resources to support your knowledge and practice. This module includes additional readings and articles that are located within each section. These are available for you to download and keep as a resource.

Format Self-paced online, available 24/7

Access Period

12 months

Cost

$599.00 (ex. GST)

Annual fee*

$59.00 (ex. GST)  

*There will be a yearly fee for access to the Intellectual Property of the SACS including checklists access to the online resources and listed as a SACS accredited trainee. The first payment due one year after training has been completed.

This cost can either be covered by the institution an individual is working at, or the individual themselves, if they choose to leave the institution and want to continue using the SACS.

Enquire here

MODULES

Module 1: Neurodiversity
Module 2: Introduction
Module 3: Foundation
Module 4: Part 1: Social Attention and Communication Study (SACS)
Module 5: Part 2: Social Attention and Communication Study (SACS)
Module 6: Videos Examining the Signs of Autism in Preschoolers
Module 7: Videos Typically Developing Child on the SACS Items
Module 8: How to use the SACS Checklists
Module 9: Discussing MoSAIC with Parents and Caregivers
Module 10: Referral Pathways

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

  • Using correct terminology when discussing autism.
  • How to complete autism screening during routine checks in children aged 11 to 30 months using the ‘key’ markers for autism from the evidence-based MoSAIC tool.
  • Documenting MoSAIC screening information in an application or on the paper based checklist
  • How to effectively raise developmental concerns with parents/caregivers.
  • Information on referral pathways for autism.
  • Referring families for diagnosis using the appropriate pathways and the MoSAIC referral form
  • Information on resources for families.

SUITABLE FORr:

Psychologists, Early Childhood educators, Allied Health Professionals, Maternal and Child Health Nurses.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Register your interest here

For larger groups wanting training in the Social Attention and Communication Surveillance-Revised (SACS-R) and SACS-Preschool Training (SACS-PR). This training course can be delivered over multiple days depending on the size of the group as discussed with OTARC.

MODULES

Module 1: Neurodiversity
Module 2: Introduction
Module 3: Foundation
Module 4: Part 1: Social Attention and Communication Study (SACS)
Module 5: Part 2: Social Attention and Communication Study (SACS)
Module 6: Videos Examining the Signs of Autism in Preschoolers
Module 7: Videos Typically Developing Child on the SACS Items
Module 8: How to use the SACS Checklists
Module 9: Discussing MoSAIC with Parents and Caregivers
Module 10: Referral Pathways

SUITABLE FOR:

Government agencies, Clinics with multiple sites, Psychologists, Early Childhood educators, Allied Health Professionals.

Terms and conditions

Email a request

This comprehensive training module developed for Victorian Maternal and Child Health Nurses contains:

  • Narrated slides recorded at a recent face-to-face workshop
  • Additional notes and resources on each of the topic areas
  • Videos of children with and without autism
  • Downloadable resource sheets, brochures and additional readings.

How to complete the module

Detailed information is provided in the training home page.  Please read through the instructions.

Certificates of Completion

Certificates of completion will be sent via email after the completion of the training module.

To access the module

Your username and password have been sent to via email
Unless you have changed it, your username is most often your your work or student email.
Support: sacs.training@latrobe.edu.au

Login

OTARC offers a SACS-R+PR Master trainer program that enables approved individuals and institutions to provide training to their staff. Please contact us for an informal discussion about  whether this program could be suitable for your organisation.

Email enquiry

Supporting a Neurodiverse Workforce

Designed in collaboration with Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, DXC, ANZ Banking Corporation and Untapped to close the gap in existing mental health training, tools, and processes in the workplace by being explicitly designed to support Autistic employees.

The ‘Supporting a Neurodiverse Workforce: A Mental Health and Well-being Online Training Course’ presents current, evidence-based information, and strategies about mental health and well-being for autistic individuals.

A world first online training course designed to support the mental health and well-being of all employees including those on the autism spectrum.

Content is available for executives, supervisors, mentors, co-workers AND employees on the autism spectrum.

By completing this 11-module training course you will learn:

  • The importance of supporting well-being in the workplace
  • What autism is, and how to create autism friendly environments
  • How to recognise mental ill health more broadly as well as for those on the autism spectrum
  • Strategies to support the mental health of yourself, your colleagues, or your employees on the autism spectrum

This training is based on the evidence-based content developed for the "Supporting a Neurodiverse Workforce: A mental health and well-being resource and training package" project. It was developed with generous support from DXC Technology and ANZ Bank in partnership with OTARC.

Access the course here