The Support Collective are delighted to share that Aspie Trainers will commence a series of workshops from October.
Aspie Trainers is a project which supports autistic adults to design and deliver engaging, high quality autism training which mixes thorough and up-to-date research and theory with the practical lived experiences of the trainers themselves.
The first workshop Autism and Adolescence will take place on Thursday 20th October, 10am – 12pm via Zoom. This session focuses on what life can be like for autistic adolescents and how parents and professionals can work empathically and effectively to support them through this difficult transitional time.
By the end of the session participants should be able to:
- Identify key common features of autism
- Identify particular areas of life (school/home/social) which can typically be problematic for autistic adolescents
- Review a range of strategies which can be used to support adolescent autistic people in different context.
The second workshop Autism and Girls will take place on Thursday 24th November, 10am – 12pm via Zoom.
Autistic females have historically been a much overlooked group, but in recent years with increased awareness and broadening diagnostic criteria are slowly being recognised and growing as a part of the autistic community. This session will focus on the experience of autistic girls and women, including difficulties experienced both as a result of autism and of being overlooked for diagnosis, and how young autistic women can best be supported by those working with them.
By the end of this workshop participants will be able to:
- Describe how girls on the Autistic Spectrum present differently to boys.
- Understand the diagnostic challenges for girls that can lead to misdiagnosis and late diagnosis.
- Explain why girls on the autistic spectrum are more likely to mask their differences and how masking can impact mental health.
- Explore suggestions to empower and support girls with ASC.
The third workshop Meltdowns and shutdowns will take place on Thursday 23rd February, 10am – 12pm via Zoom. This session focuses on the phenomenon of meltdowns and shutdowns which are commonly experienced by autistic people at every age and will offer information on what causes them, how to reduce the chances of them and how to support an autistic young person before, during and after a meltdown or shutdown.
By the end of this workshop participants will be able to:
- Explain the difference between a meltdown, a shutdown and a temper tantrum.
- Identify how having a meltdown or shutdown commonly impacts on an autistic person.
- Understand the factors which contribute to autistic people experiencing meltdowns and/or shutdowns.
- Explore ways to reduce the likelihood of meltdowns or shutdowns in your professional/family context.
- Identify ways to support autistic people during and after meltdowns and shutdowns.
The final workshop Autism and Women will take place on Thursday 2nd March, 10am – 12pm via Zoom.
A session looking specifically at the experience of autistic women.
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Autism and women will explore the experience of individuals assigned female at birth and the hormonal transitions they experience in their lifetime.
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Puberty, pregnancy and childbirth and the menopause are significant periods of change and adjustment for many females, but there is only a limited understanding on how Autism affects the way these changes are experienced.
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Using the combined lived experience of our female Autistic trainers and the emerging research in this area, we will share coping strategies and tips to prepare for and manage these life changing transitions.
Please complete our booking form to request a place on any of the above training courses or contact [email protected] for further information.
To find out about more training from the Support Collective visit Training & Events.