Since 2007, the Autism Education Trust (AET) has been helping professionals to developgood autism practice:
“We champion a world where being different is something to be celebrate and where all autistic learners experience a positive education that supports their well-being.”
Did you know?
- Only 1 in 4 autistic children feel happy in school
- Without appropriate teacher training, autistic children are twice as likely to be excluded from school
The AET is a not-for-profit organisation, led by the National Autistic Society and Ambitious about Autism and supported by the Department for Education. The training programme and education resources are created in partnership with a panel of Autistic Young Experts, parents/carers, and network of Training Partners, education professionals, experts and specialists. All the materials bring to life the latest research in autism and the current, lived experience of autistic children and young people in education.
The Professional Development Programme
The Professional Development Programme (PDP) is the only Department for Education Supported, CPD-accredited Autism Training Programme that has been co-produced with parents, professionals and the panel of autistic young experts:
- Delivered by autism experts
- Tailored to the demand in your area
- Bespoke to your setting – to suit the needs of your staff, children and young people
- Private sessions for you and your team
The PDP is a culture change programme based on training modules and Framework Documents across all phases of education – early years, schools and post-16.
The Northamptonshire AET Training Partnership is a collaboration of training partners across Northamptonshire (incorporating North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire) including EPIC Psychology & Wellbeing Service, Nene Education Trust, Café Track, Creating Tomorrow Trust and Meridian Trust. Together we work in partnership to deliver the AET training programmes across the county of Northamptonshire.
Making Sense of Autism training module
What is it?
This module is an awareness-raising module for all staff in a school community, whether they be teachers, learning support staff, school meals supervisors, caretakers, governors or transport staff. The module provides an introduction to autism and the reasonable adjustments that need to be considered when working with autistic pupils.
Aims of the training
- To extend your understanding of how autism affects pupils in school
- To increase your expertise in recognising a pupil’s individual strengths and differences
- To develop your skills in identifying barriers to learning for autistic pupils
- To develop your understanding of what ‘reasonable adjustments’ need to be made to support an autistic pupil in your setting
Learning Objectives
- Approach autism as a difference rather than a deficit or disorder
- Recognise the three areas of difference for autistic pupils and how these can affect them
- Listen to and learn from the perspectives of autistic pupils and their parents/carers
- Reflect on your practice and implement reasonable adjustments to support autistic pupils
Training details
- 5-hour workshop
- Delivered face:face or remotely
- Resource pack provided
£275 for whole school training / £75pp at an open training event (link to upcoming workshops)
Good Autism Practice training module
What is it?
This module is for any member of staff working with autistic pupils aged 5-16 in mainstream and specialist schools.
This module focuses on the importance of getting to know a pupil and how their autism affects them. We look at examples of distressed behaviours and how these can be supported through a range of strategies, approaches and reasonable adjustments.
This module introduces the AET Schools Competency Framework for you to be confident when developing and evaluating your good autism practice, following completion of the module.
Aims of the training
‘Good autism practice in Schools’ will support you:
- To develop your knowledge and understanding of good autism practice
- To increase your expertise in using practical strategies and approaches that support autistic pupils
- To develop your knowledge about autism and the individual to inform pupil-centred planning
- To help you to reflect on and improve your practice in working with autistic pupils
Learning Objectives
- Understand that autism is a difference rather than a deficit or disorder
- Be confident in using the Autism Competency Framework
- Involve the autistic pupil and their family in decisions
- Use a range of approaches, strategies and adaptations to remove barriers to learning
- Collect information for a Pupil-Centred Education Plan
- Ensure inclusive practice for all autistic pupils
Training details
- 5-hour workshop
- Delivered face:face or remotely
- Resource pack provided
£450 for whole school training / £150pp at an open training event (link to upcoming workshops)
