Devon’s popular Autism and Us free programme returns in the new year, with a combination of four-week courses and one-off workshops.
This term, the Parent Carer Forum Devon will be joining the Devon Information Advice and Support team for a workshop introducing the two organisations and how they support parent-carers of children and young people.
The Autism and Us programme offers support for families of children and young people who have an autism diagnosis or who are waiting for one. It is designed for parent/carers of primary and secondary school age children in Devon. It gives families an opportunity to develop their understanding of autism, looks at practical solutions to managing and supporting children and young people’s needs. It also offers the opportunities for parents and carers to connect with other families.
The free four week ‘live online’ programme is run twice a term and is made up of four two-hour sessions. The first programme will start on Tuesday 16 January 2024, and the second on Thursday 29 February 2024. This core programme provides an overview of autism, communications needs, understanding and supporting behaviour and sensory needs.
These courses are amazing, very helpful, and they keep reminding me why my little girl does the things she does and this gives me more understanding.
Autism and Us attendee
Autism and Us also offers more in-depth one-off workshops on specific topics, and the schedule for the spring term is now available. Parents and carers can choose which two-hour sessions to join, and topics include:
- Vulnerability and online safety
- Autism and girls
- managing stress and anxiety
- sensory processing and integration
- demand avoidance and pathological demand avoidance
- communication support strategies for non- or limited speaking children
- communication support strategies for speaking children
- how DIAS and PCFD can support you.
The workshops are organized and delivered by the Communication and Interaction Team at Devon County Council as part of the Devon SEND Local Offer. Since 2020, over 1,500 parent-carers attended one or more of the workshops.
Full details of the programme and how to book a free place are available at Support from the Communication and Interaction Team – Education and Families