Parent Training and Self Study
Parenting a child with Special Educational Needs (SEN), such as autism, can be challenging due to the unique ways our children experience and interact with the world. Everyday tasks may require extra planning, patience, and emotional resilience, especially when faced with communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, or behavioural challenges.
As parents widening your knowledge about autism can be incredibly beneficial—it empowers parents to better understand their child’s needs, reduces frustration, and helps build stronger, more supportive relationships. Informed parents are also better advocates, able to navigate education and healthcare systems more effectively to ensure their child receives the right support.
Please browse the selection offered below to see if any of the links are suitable for you and are relevant in supporting your child
https://www.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk/courses/adapt
The course includes modules on:
- How autism shows up “on a brain level”
- Theory of Mind, social understanding
- Communication differences
- Sensory processing and how to support it
- Behavioural needs and emotional regulation
- Sleep, anxiety, and additional challenges
- Adapted communication strategies
The course includes sections on the “autistic mind” strengths and skills, promoting a strengths-based perspective rather than only focusing on challenges.
Prior to many referrals being accepted by the ID-CAMHS service, parents are often advised to undertake a universal or self rererred parent course.
Please contact Lauren or Ann-Marie if you have any questions.
Early Birds/Early Birds Plus
The Early Bird programme is valuable resource because it gives parents tools and understanding early on, when interventions often have more impact; supports emotional resilience and confidence; helps with behaviour, communication, and social interaction in meaningful ways; and links home and community / school contexts. Doing something like this early can make things easier down the line, reduce stress in the family, improve child outcomes (social, emotional, communication), and help build a shared vocabulary/strategies with professionals.
EarlyBird Plus – Westfield Arts College – Broadening Horizons