The Communication and Interaction Team may identify a way of contributing to the support that schools and settings provide to parents and carers of a child or young person who has communication and interaction needs. This may involve meeting with parents and carers on the school site or offering further advice in relation to particular communication and interaction issues for their child or both.
In collaboration with schools and professionals from other disciplines, the Communication and Interaction Team will also be involved in organising and delivering parent programmes such as Autism and Us and themed workshops. Parent programmes will be delivered in collaboration with schools and settings and will offer indirect support to them in terms of improving parental confidence and fostering positive relationships.
The Communication and Interaction Team is a school-based service, therefore, any direct involvement with parents and carers will be carried out in consultation with the school or setting.
Autism and Us parent programme and autism-themed workshops (summer/autumn term 2023)
Support for parents/carers of Devon’s primary and secondary children who are either on the autism waiting list or who have received a diagnosis of autism.
Our ‘Autism & Us’ programme and themed workshops delivered this academic year will once again be offered during the summer/autumn terms for parents/carers of Devon primary and secondary school children, pre or post-diagnosis. We are delighted to announce that we are offering access for families of children and young people (CYP)) who are currently on the autism assessment pathway, in addition to families of CYP who have received an autism diagnosis.
Attending the Autism and Us parent programme gives you an opportunity to develop your understanding of autism and look at practical solutions to managing and supporting your child’s presenting needs.
4 weekly ‘live online’ sessions (approximately 2 hours each) related to the following topics or themes:
| Summer Term: | Programme 1 | Programme 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Autism overview | 4th May 10am – 12pm | 14th June 4.30pm – 6.30pm |
| Communication | 12th May 10am – 12pm | 21st June 4.30pm – 6.30pm |
| Understanding and supporting behaviour | 18th May 10am – 12pm | 5th July 4.30pm – 6.30pm |
| Sensory | 25th May 10am – 12pm | 12st July 4.30pm – 6.30pm |
| Autumn Term: | Programme 1 | Programme 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Autism overview | 14th September 10am – 12pm | 31st October 4.30pm – 6.30pm |
| Communication | 20th September 10am – 12pm | 7th November 4.30pm – 6.30pm |
| Understanding and supporting behaviour | 5th October 10am – 12pm | 14th November 4.30pm – 6.30pm |
| Sensory | 12th October 10am – 12pm | 21st November 4.30pm – 6.30pm |
To secure a place on any of the above programmes, or to express your interest in forthcoming programmes, please send an email to educationlearnersupport@devon.gov.uk. We will confirm your booking and provide you with a direct link to the event. Events will be delivered online ‘live’ using the Microsoft Teams platform.
Additional topic-based workshops autumn term 2023
The following topic-based workshops will also be available for parents/carers of children and young people (CYP) who are currently on the autism assessment pathway, in addition to families of CYP who have received an autism diagnosis. You can choose from these based on the relevance to you and your family. Dates and times to be confirmed.
| Date | Time | Topic | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st November | 10am -12pm | Autism – vulnerability and online safety | Paul Lamanna |
| 8th November | 9.30am -12pm | Autism and girls | Robert Good |
| 15th November | 10am -12pm | Autism – managing stress and anxiety | Alison Cann |
| 16th November | 10am -12pm | Autism – sensory processing and integration | Kevin Jones |
| 22nd November | 10am -12pm | Autism – communication (pre or non-verbal – support strategies) | Laura Matthews |
| 6th December | 10am -12pm | Autism – demand avoidance and pathological demand avoidance | Robert Good |
| 12th December | 10am -12pm | Autism – communication (verbal – support strategies) | Laura O’Shea & Melissa New |
To secure a place on any of the above programmes, or to express your interest in forthcoming programmes, please send an email to educationlearnersupport@devon.gov.uk. We will confirm your booking and provide you with a direct link to the event. Events will be delivered online ‘live’ using the Microsoft Teams platform.