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With nearly 30 years of first-hand experience, Autism Bedfordshire is now a leading provider of high quality autism training throughout Bedfordshire and beyond. We have developed a comprehensive range of quality, specialist training packages suitable for anyone wanting to increase their understanding of autism and knowledge of strategies to support individuals. Where possible, training is delivered in partnership with autistic guest speakers who offer their unique personal perspective of life on the spectrum.

Delegates can book onto our rolling programme of events or commission private training courses directly. If you want to stay updated with the latest training events then join our mailing list here

We offer training to professional practitioners, mainstream services, schools and community groups to develop understanding of autism across Bedfordshire and beyond. We are the only voluntary organisation in Bedfordshire specialised in supporting autistic people and we are proud of our reputation for being an excellent provider of quality autism support.

National figures indicate that autism affects at least 1 person in every 100. The Autism Act 2009 and statutory guidance state that local authorities and the NHS should provide autism training for staff. This includes frontline staff who come into contact with autistic individuals, as well as specialist training for key personnel such as staff working in statutory services, staff involved in the assessment of autistic adults and doctors.

The specialist training we provide is unique as it not only improves understanding, but with the involvement of autistic guest speakers where practicable, enables the audience to appreciate how autism affects individuals on a personal level.

Our diverse range of training opportunities are designed to enhance understanding and best practice when working with autistic individuals in a range of settings. Our course prices include course folders with handouts and certificates of attendance.

In addition, we can design bespoke training programmes to suit your needs.

To find out more or to book a course then contact our training department: training@autismbeds.org

Level 1: Introduction to Autism

A short course designed to provide a basic understanding of autism spectrum conditions and suitable for anyone who may come into contact with autistic adults.

Delegates will:

  • Have an overview of current legislation relating to autism
  • Know what autism is and understand the key areas that impact autistic people
  • Have some practical strategies to become more ‘autism friendly’ in their workplace and in supporting autistic individuals

Course Length: Half day (approximately 3 hours)

Number of delegates: 20

Pre-requisites: None

Cost: £400 or £40 per place if booked through our rolling programme

Level 2: Supporting Autistic Individuals

A course to develop skills, knowledge and strategies in supporting autistic adults. This course is designed and suitable for those who work directly with autistic individuals, or who need a more detailed understanding of autism.

Delegates will:

  • Listen to a personal account from an autistic adult
  • Understand the range of areas in which an autistic person may need support, exploring the ‘spectrum’ of autism, considering causes of stress, with an overview of sensory processing issues
  • Reflect on how to adjust their practice and improve services for autistic individuals, to become more ‘autism friendly’ in the workplace

Course Length: Full day

Number of delegates: 20

Pre-requisites: Practical experience working in either a setting or 1:1 supporting an autistic adult, or having attended our Level 1 training or similar

Cost: £600 or £60 per place if booked through our advertised course programme

Level 3: Autism in Professional Practice

This new dynamic course is based on evidence gathered from autistic people and clinical research professionals, with content being reviewed and updated in line with ongoing developments in research and our understanding of autism.
Designed for people working with autistic adults in a professional capacity; people with a personal interest are welcome to attend but the focus will be on professional practice.

Delegates will:

  • Hear a detailed personal account from an autistic adult
  • Receive detailed information on autism theories and practice, understanding how the two interlink and inform one another including modern developments and current thinking
  • Gain an understanding of the clinical diagnostic process including an understanding of the diagnosis pathway regionally and nationally
  • Have an overview of approaches and reasonable adjustments required to support autistic adults
  • Be able to network with other professionals in the field to exchange best practice while working through specific challenges to identify solutions or alternative approaches

Course Length: Full day

Number of delegates: 20

Pre-requisites: Professional involvement with autistic adults; a good understanding of autism based on prior attendance at our Level 1 and 2 courses or similar (please contact us if you’re unsure if this course will be suitable for you).
Cost: £995 or £99 per place if booked through our rolling training programme

Autism & Mental Health

This course has been designed specifically to look at autism and mental health, particularly useful for professionals who are working with autistic adults or who work with complex autistic individuals.

Delegates will:

  • Hear a detailed personal account from an autistic adult
  • Have an improved understanding of the co-existing mental health conditions commonly experienced by autistic people and how these effect their individual needs
  • Have a practical understanding of how to adapt environments and practices to meet these needs
  • Have the opportunity to explore resources and strategies for supporting some mental health issues

Course Length: Full day

Number of delegates: 20

Pre-requisites: Delegates would be expected to have a good knowledge of autism (our Level 2 course standard or similar – please ask if you’re not sure what we mean by this)

Cost: £850 or £85 on a pay per place basis if booked through our rolling training programme

Autism in the Classroom

This course is designed for professionals working in a school environment who work with autistic children of all ages on a regular basis; particularly useful for Special Educational Needs Coordinators, class teachers and other professionals directly supporting autistic children in the classroom.

Delegates will:

  • Hear a personal account of their school experience from an autistic adult
  • Understand some of the main difficulties experienced by autistic children – and some of their strengths
  • Explore some practical strategies that all staff can implement to support autistic children
  • Be able to pass on knowledge to colleagues in order to take the whole school forward in creating an autism-friendly setting

Course Length: Full day

Number of delegates: A maximum of 20

Pre-requisites: Basic autism knowledge or practical experience

Cost: £600 or £60 on a pay per place basis if booked through our rolling training programme

Autism in the Early Years

This workshop is designed for professionals working with autistic children on a regular basis and/or working within early years settings.

Delegates will:

  • Understand some of the main difficulties experienced by autistic young children – and some of their strengths
  • Explore some practical strategies that all staff can implement to support autistic young children
  • Be able to pass on knowledge to colleagues in order to take your organisation forward in creating an autism-friendly setting

Course Length: Half day

Number of delegates: A maximum of 20

Pre-requisites: Basic autism knowledge or experience

Cost: £400 or £40 on a pay per place basis if booked through our rolling training programme

Using Social Stories

A practical workshop providing the opportunity to learn and develop practical skills to communicate with autistic people of all ages through social stories.

Delegates will:

  • Have a better understanding of the difficulties autism may cause in social understanding and perspective taking – a different way of thinking
  • Have an understanding of the theory behind the concept of social stories in addressing these difficulties
  • Write a social story, from unpicking the situation to suggesting alternative courses of action

Course Length: Half day

Number of delegates: 20

Pre-requisites: A good basic understanding of autism

Cost: £400 or £40 on a pay per place basis if booked through our rolling training programme

Autism & Behaviour

A workshop providing information about the impact of autism on behaviour with advice on how to support autistic individuals of all ages.

Delegates will:

  • Gain an understanding of the difficulties autism may cause in managing behaviours
  • Understand the theory behind behaviour and how to adapt environments and practices to meet the needs of autistic individuals
  • Explore strategies for managing difficult situations

Course Length: Half day

Number of delegates: 20

Pre-requisites: A good basic understanding of autism

Cost: £400 or £40 on a pay per place basis if booked through our rolling training programme

Autism & Demand Avoidance

A workshop providing information about the demand avoidant presentation of autism and advice on how to support those with demand avoidant behaviour of all ages.

Delegates will:

  • Understand what is meant by ‘demand avoidance’ in the context of an autism diagnosis
  • Understand the role of anxiety in creating demand avoidanct behaviour
  • Explore resources and strategies for supporting those with demand avoidance traits, to better help them to prevent and manage their difficulties

Course Length: Half day

Number of delegates: 20

Pre-requisites: A good basic understanding of autism on which this workshop will build

Cost: £400 or £40 on a pay per place basis if booked through our rolling training programme

Autism, Diet & Sensory Issues

A workshop exploring the relationship between autism and diet, focussing on the impact that sensory issues have in this area, in relation to autistic people of all ages.

Delegates will:

  • More fully understand the impact of sensory processing differences on the lives of autistic individuals
  • Explore resources and strategies to support health and wellbeing when diet is an issue as a result of sensory challenges/li>
  • Know when to ask for professional input

Course Length: Half day

Number of delegates: 20

Pre-requisites: A good basic understanding of autism on which this workshop will build

Cost: £400 or £40 on a pay per place basis if booked through our rolling training programme

Autism, Women & Girls

A workshop providing information about the differences often found in the female presentation in autism and advice on how to support autistic women and girls. Alongside hearing a detailed personal account from an autistic adult.

Delegates will:

  • Have a better understanding of the way autism affects women and girls and why this can delay diagnosis
  • Have a practical understanding of how to adapt environments and practices to meet the specific needs of autistic women and girls
  • Be able to explore resources and strategies for supporting autistic women and girls

Course Length: Half day

Number of delegates: 20

Pre-requisites: A good basic understanding of autism

Cost: £400 or £40 on a pay per place basis if booked through our rolling training programme

Autism & Relationships: A Toolkit for Practitioners

A full day course designed for practitioners working with autistic adults and young people who need professional help to initiate, develop and maintain constructive relationships.

Delegates will:

  • Understand the importance of direct teaching about relationships to autistic people
  • Consider ethical and legal issues that practitioners must be aware of
  • Have the opportunity to share concerns and experiences
  • Explore a starter range of teaching resources – our ‘Toolkit’ and take away a memory stick with over 400 electronic resources to develop and build on

Course Length: Full day

Number of delegates: 20

Pre-requisites: Delegates would be expected to have a knowledge of autism to a confident standard or extensive experience of working with autistic individuals

Cost: £950 or £95 on a pay per place basis if booked through our rolling training programme

Autism Bedfordshire is immensely proud of its range of quality specialist training packages, which have to date reached nearly 4,000 delegates throughout Bedfordshire and beyond.
In addition to the courses specified here on our website and our rolling programme of pay per place training events we are also able to tailor our courses to suit the specific needs of your organisation. Some of our bespoke training has included, but is not limited to:

  • Offering our half day workshops as two twilight sessions (eg for school staff)
  • Our ‘Train the Trainer’ offer, which ensures your trainer has the required knowledge and confidence to deliver Autism Level 1 training and provides them with ongoing support through the twelve month quality assurance package
  • Training adapted for specific service providers (carers/sports coaches/prison officers)

    • We are also willing to explore new topics upon request – we love a challenge!

    General Consultancy

    Autism Bedfordshire is a leading provider of support services to autistic children and adults and as such we have developed a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be commissioned for numerous autism related projects, in addition to our respected training courses and our education consultancy service. For example, we can offer:

    For organisations
    An environmental assessment of your organisation for autism friendliness and accessibility for autistic individuals

    For individuals/families
    Post diagnostic support upon receiving an autism diagnosis, at any age/stage of life

    When you purchase training from Autism Bedfordshire, you are guaranteed the very best. You will also have the satisfaction of knowing that any surplus revenue generated from our training provision will be ploughed directly back into services for autistic individuals.

    If you would like to find out more about bespoke training for your organisation, or discuss any of your training needs, please contact us on 01234 214871 or email training@autismbeds.org

    Autism in the Classroom

    24th January, 2020
    10:00 am-4:00 pm

    This course is designed for professionals working in a school environment who work with autistic children of all ages on a regular basis; particularly suitable for Special Educational Needs Coordinators, class teachers and other professionals directly supporting autistic children in the classroom.

    Dunstable Community Fire Station, Brewers Hill Road, Dunstable, LU6 1AA

    Autism in the Classroom

    25th February, 2020
    10:00 am-4:00 pm

    This course is designed for professionals working in a school environment who work with autistic children of all ages on a regular basis; particularly suitable for Special Educational Needs Coordinators, class teachers and other professionals directly supporting autistic children in the classroom.

    Dunstable Community Fire Station, Brewers Hill Road, Dunstable, LU6 1AA

    Autism & Mental Health

    4th March, 2020
    10:00 am-4:00 pm

    This course has been designed specifically to look at autism and mental health, particularly useful for professionals who are working with autistic adults or who work with complex autistic individuals.

    King’s House, 245 Ampthill Road, Bedford, MK42 9AZ

    Autism & Demand Avoidance Workshop

    10th March, 2020
    10:00 am-12:45 pm

    A half day workshop providing information about the demand avoidant presentation of autism and advice on how to support those with demand avoidant behaviour.

    Dunstable Community Fire Station, Brewers Hill Road, Dunstable, LU6 1AA

    Autism, Diet & Sensory Issues Workshop

    18th March, 2020
    10:00 am-12:45 pm

    A workshop exploring the relationship between autism and diet, focussing on the impact that sensory issues have on this area, in relation to autistic people of all ages.

     

    Dunstable Community Fire Station, Brewers Hill Road, Dunstable, LU6 1AA

    This service can be accessed by professionals or parents who would like assistance in identifying, understanding and supporting young people who may face barriers to their learning and development.

    Our experience: Our Autism Trainer, Mandy, is a qualified autism advisory teacher with over ten years of experience. Mandy has a Postgraduate Certificate in Asperger Syndrome and further associated training including Carol Gray’s Social Stories, 3 & 5 Day TEACCH, 2 Day PECS, 2 Day SCERTS and 1 Day Protective Behaviours. Mandy is able to support other professionals in both providing and examining the evidence for an autism spectrum diagnosis, although only a medical professional can offer a diagnosis.

    What this service can offer:

    • Individual observations in the setting or at home
    • Sensory environmental audit
    • Holistic reports containing clear recommendations
    • A focus on all areas including social communication and interaction, flexibility of thought, behaviours, the impact of sensory processing differences and environmental factors
    • Advice about possible ways forward for the young person, suggested interventions and targets
    • Useful evidence either pre or post diagnosis when seeking statutory support (please consult with your Local Authority to confirm they will recognise such evidence)
    • Bespoke ‘Autism n the Classroom’ training for SENCOs, teachers and support staff*

    Cost/fees:

    Autism Bedfordshire will always agree service fees before going ahead with any work.  We will offer an initial (one-off) up to 30 minute telephone consultation to any new client, free of charge, with no  further obligation.

    Our consultancy fee is £50/hour. There is an additional cost of 40p/mile added for the round trip between your location and ours (MK41 0UD).

    Example: Observation of a child (1–2 hours), written report with recommendations based on this observation and other information collated such as medical/school reports (3-4 hours). Typically this would total 5-6 hours’ work and therefore cost £250-£300, plus travel. Please note that there might be additional costs for resources – such as social stories or visual prompts, where agreed in advance – and travel, depending on location. If required to attend a follow up meeting with staff and parents/carers, this would add a further hours’ fee to the total.

    * Autism in the Classroom training is delivered as part of our professional training programme therefore the cost of this varies depending on the number of delegates.

    Telephone 01234 214871 or email: training@autismbeds.org