Autism Training Courses for Parents and Carers
Training Courses which can support you or your family.
These are courses we have been made aware of locally. Eligibility criteria and costs may vary so please check with the course organiser to see if it is appropriate for your situation. Listing on this page does not represent partnership or endorsement.
Free Training
EarlyBird and EarlyBird Plus
National Autistic Society designed courses available to parents and carers of a child with a diagnosis.
The Early Bird course is for parents and carers of pre-school aged children and the Early Bird Plus course is for parents and carers of children aged 4 –10.
The courses include classroom sessions and some home visits. The courses are free for families in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole where 2 places per family are funded by the local authority.
Families living in Bournemouth contact:
Alison Cleobury at Springwood Campus, Linwood School
01202 592410 [email protected]
Families living in Dorset contact:
Caroline Hubbuck or Kate Flute at Westfield on 01305 833518 or 07444836954. The course is run at Westfield Arts College (Weymouth) and Yewstock school (Sturminster Newton)
Right Click
Free, online training for parents and carers developed and run by Scottish Autism. Each programme is offered several times throughout the year and runs for 5 weeks. There are 3 courses to suit the needs of parents and carers of children from different age groups; Young child, Teen and Adult.
There is an additional Right Click course aimed at women and girls on the autism spectrum and people supporting women and girls on the autism spectrum.
Understanding and Managing Autism
Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Skills and Learning run a series of family learning courses. To enrol on these courses you must be the parent, grandparent or primary carer of a child under the age of 16 years. Courses include various topics including one on autism awareness.
An Introduction to Asperger’s Syndrome
The Dorset Recovery Education Centre (REC) is jointly delivered by Dorset HealthCare and the Dorset Mental Health Forum, a peer-led charity. It provides education and training for people with affected by mental health problems, focusing on self-management, self-determination, choice and responsibility.
Courses are run across the county and are available to people with personal experience of mental distress and their carers/supporters, friends and family, and also for staff members who work alongside people suffering periods of ill health. This course is suitable for adults with Asperger Syndrome and parents/carers of adults with the condition.
Courses with a charge
Training Events and Webinars
The Curly Hair Project is a social enterprise and was set up to support people with autism and the people around them. They sometimes run training events in this area and also run webinars people can do at home. Courses are not specifically for parents and carers and are open to anyone including people on the autism spectrum and professionals so would also be suitable for parents and carers of adult children.
The National Autistic Society’s Online Training
Various modules covering different topics. Most modules are aimed at anyone wishing to develop their understanding of autism so would also be suitable for parents/carers of adult children but some are designed for specific groups of people. Most modules cost £30 plus VAT however some are free.