I’ve done previous Autism training and I thought this one might talk [about] the same things, but I’ve come out with a deeper understanding of how important it is to have a humanised, experience-sensitive approach.
Autism and Wellbeing in Schools Programme
Apply for a free place on our Schools Autism and Wellbeing Training Programme to increase your understanding of neurodivergence and to support the mental health of your autistic students.
Why join this programme?
Autistic children and young people often experience barriers to learning in school. And these challenges can have a big impact on their wellbeing - 70% of autistic young people have a mental health problem.¹
This programme supports school staff to create inclusive and supportive learning for autistic students within their school setting – both diagnosed and undiagnosed. The course has been developed by world leaders in the autism field, and features resources co-produced by neurodivergent people of all ages. The programme also includes three follow-up mentoring sessions to help staff embed their learning and adapt approaches in their own school settings.
Funded places are available for staff from mainstream primary and secondary schools.
How the programme works
The training programme runs over two full days, combining in-person and online delivery:
Day 1: In-person session
Day 2: Online session
A mix of presentations, discussions, group activities, animations, videos, and case studies allow participants to put theory into practice.
*97% of attendees say this training helped them understand the range of adjustments and accommodations needed by autistic learners, and 95% feel they gained empathy for autistic students.
Training content
Day 1: In-person
Introductions and course rationale
Overview of autism
An introduction to neurodiversity
Heuristics and bias
Intersectionality
An experience sensitive approach
Day 2: Online
Communication and sensory processing differences
Case studies
Mental health and common companions
Masking, victimisation and trauma
A trauma informed approach
The SPELL framework
Personalised mentoring support
Alongside the two-day training, participants will receive three one-to-one mentoring sessions. These provide a regular, agreed and safe space for reflection. The sessions focus primarily on the mentee’s work, supporting them to develop their skills, awareness and knowledge.
What will you learn in this training programme?
By the end of this programme, you will be able to:
recognise the impact of autism myths and stereotypes on autistic students, their peers and school staff
appreciate communication and sensory differences between autistic and non-autistic children and young people
understand the causes and impacts of masking, meltdown and shutdown, and autistic burnout in the school context
understand the benefits of an experience-sensitive, trauma-informed approach
identify ways to promote wellbeing for autistic students and staff in school.
Who is eligible for this training programme?
We are recruiting 140 colleagues from mainstream state-funded primary and secondary schools to take part in a two-day funded programme, with additional coaching sessions each term for the rest of the academic year.
Key details:
free to take part
each school that completes the programme will receive £150 to support their participation in the project
open to teaching and support staff working in KS2, KS3 and KS4
not suitable for staff working exclusively in KS1, sixth forms or colleges.
If you’re not eligible for a free place, our 2-day Autism and Wellbeing training runs throughout the year and is open to staff from independent schools on a self-funded basis.
Watch the video to hear Monisha, our Training Manager, share more about the training.
If you have questions about this project, please email us at autism.schools@annafreud.org.
Apply nowFeedback from past attendees*:
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97% agree the training improved their understanding of support needs for autistic learners.
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84% agree the training led them to change their practice for autistic learners’ sensory needs.
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95% agree the training increased their empathy for autistic learners.
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92% agree that overall they were satisfied with the quality of the training.
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