Bermuda Autism Support and Education Society (BASE) will be offering a free workshop for teachers who need more professional development (PD) hours.

Bermuda Educators Council (BEC) said last week teachers who did not have the required hours of PD would not be allowed to teach in September.

Teachers must have undergone 40 hours per year in order to be relicensed to teach in public and private schools.

A BASE press statement said: "Without an understanding of autism, education professionals cannot be expected to know how to adjust the curriculum and school environment to ensure that school is a positive learning environment for all students including those on the autism spectrum.

"This course will show how these adjustments can be very straightforward and simple to make. Students on the autism spectrum respond positively to highly structured and predictable instruction that builds on their individual strengths and interests.

"Participants will be introduced to tools and techniques to effectively support students on the autism spectrum within the classroom. The strategies learnt will be beneficial to most students, not only those on the autism spectrum."

'Supporting Students on the Autism Spectrum in the Classroom' will be held Monday, August 23 at the Bermuda College in room B146 from 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

l For more information contact Susannah Cole on 534-0306 or e-mail to scoleconsult@gmail.com.

Call 534-4376 or e-mail basebda@yahoo.com to register. Space is limited and admission is on a first-come basis.