Support for parents or carers (resident within the Devon County Council footprint) of primary or secondary aged children (5-16) who are either on the neurodiversity assessment waiting list or who have received a diagnosis of autism.
Our ‘Autism & Us’ programme and associated themed/topic based workshops have now been adopted as a Devon County Council Core offer, which means the long term sustainable and consistent delivery has been secured for families.
They will be delivered each term of the academic year, by members of the SEND Communication & Interaction Team at Devon County Council.
We continue to offer access for parents and carers of CYP (Children & Young People) who are currently on the neurodiversity assessment pathway, in addition to families of CYP who have received an autism diagnosis.
Attending the ‘Autism & Us’ parent programme gives you opportunity to develop your understanding of autism and look at practical solutions to managing and supporting your child’s presenting needs, whilst also connecting with other parents/carers.
We have recently seen a number of settings positively host our programme and workshops within the available school environment. Screening our live virtual sessions onto a screen, whilst enjoying each other’s company, a hot drink and biscuits!
The benefits have been multiple, enabling parents/carers to connect with other families in their community, reduce any sense of isolation, avoid any computer set up and connection issues, enhance a positive relationship with school, be amongst others who maybe share similar experiences, and bring their own solutions for the benefit of other families.
As a member of school staff it been a pleasure to facilitate these sessions at our primary school.
Primary School – SENCo
It has given parents a platform to connect, share experiences and learn together.
It made me feel like I wasn’t alone. I don’t think I would have done it online at home but coming in for the sessions was supportive and informative and I met other parents going through the same thing.
Primary School – Parent
Autism and Us programmes
- Four weekly ‘live online’ sessions (approximately 2 hours each) related to the following topic or themes
- Weekly ‘live online’ sessions (approximately 2 hours each) related to the following topic or themes
| No. | Programme topic | Programme one date | Programme two date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autism overview | Tuesday 21 January: 10am – 12pm | Thursday 6 March: 4.30pm – 6.30pm |
| 2 | Sensory | Tuesday 28 January: 10am – 12pm | Thursday 13 March: 4.30pm – 6.30pm |
| 3 | Communication | Tuesday 4 February: 10am – 12pm | Thursday 20 March: 4.30pm – 6.30pm |
| 4 | Understanding and supporting behaviour | Tuesday 11 February: 10am – 12pm | Thursday 27 March: 4.30pm – 6.30pm |
Booking a place on the programme
Apply direct by email to educationlearnersupport@devon.gov.uk to secure a place on either of the above programmes, or express your interest for forthcoming programmes.
We’ll confirm your booking request, and provide you with a direct link to the event. They will be delivered online ‘live’ via the Microsoft Teams platform.
Schools who are offering to host should use the same booking email: educationlearnersupport@devon.gov.uk We will confirm your booking request, and provide the school with a direct link to the event. Schools will then provide parent/carer attending numbers and contact emails for our register and follow up materials.
Additional topic-based workshops
We will also be offering the following very popular themed or topic based workshops, which lead on from the Autism and Us programmes. These cover themes and topics that may be a priority area for you against your child’s presenting needs.
| Workshop topic | Date and time |
|---|---|
| DiAS (Devon Information and Advice Service) and PCFD (Parent Carer Forum Devon) | Thursday 1 April: 10am – 12pm |
| Autism – Sensory processing and integration | Tuesday 25 March 9.30am – 12pm |
| Autism and girls | Wednesday 12 March: 9.30am – 12pm |
| Autism – Demand avoidance and PDA | Wednesday 13 February: 10am – 12pm |
| Autism – Communication (speaking children – support strategies) | Tuesday 11 March: 10am – 12pm |
| Autism – Managing stress and anxiety | Thursday 20 March: 10am – 12pm |
| Autism – Vulnerability and online safety | Thursday 27 February: 10am – 12pm |
| Autism – Communication (non/limited speaking children – support strategies) | Thursday 6 March: 10am – 12pm |
Booking a workshop place
Apply direct by email to educationlearnersupport@devon.gov.uk to secure a place on any of the above topic based workshops.
To secure a place on any of the above topic based workshops. We will confirm your booking request, and provide you with a direct link to the event. They will be delivered on line ‘live’ via the Microsoft TEAMs platform.
Schools who are offering to host should use the same booking email: educationlearnersupport@devon.gov.uk We will confirm your booking request, and provide the school with a direct link to the event. Schools will then provide parent/carer attending numbers and contact emails for our register and follow up materials.