The Living Autism training courses are suitable for families and professionals alike.
Training for Champions is based on Tier 2 level of the Department of Health & Social Care Core Capabilities Framework for Supporting Autistic People and the Core Capabilities Framework for Supporting People with a Learning Disability.
We are providing a list of the most popular courses; however, we also offer bespoke packages where that is more appropriate.
For costs and facilitators please scroll down.
Workshops
Autism Awareness and Understanding 
This interactive course offers a unique perspective on autistic spectrum disorders and how the condition affects individuals. The course includes areas as specified by the Core Capabilities Framework for Supporting Autistic People such as legislation, causes and history. The bulk of the session is spent on characteristics of autism and what can help autistic individuals in day-to-day living. This course can run as a half-day or full day workshop.
This course is now also being offered with similar content as an eLearning CPD accredited course from https://www.autismspectrumcondition.com/
Autism Champions plus Learning Disabilities – CPD certified
The aim of this course is to provide attendees with underpinning knowledge and understanding of Autistic Spectrum Disorders/Conditions Tier 2 level of the Department of Health & Social Care Core Capabilities Framework for Supporting Autistic People. It is intended to help attendees become Champions to cascade learning through their teams, groups and organisations and to be the go-to people within their organisation in support of autistic employees, clients and patients. A session on Learning Disabilities is included in this course to help fulfil the mandate in the Health and Care Act 2022.
This course is offered as a 2-day face-to-face course, or as a combination of a CPD eLearning course plus 3 x 4-hour Zoom sessions.
For more information and open course dates please click here (Autism Champions plus Learning Disabilities)
ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder – CPD certified
The aim of this course is to provide attendees with some understanding of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) providing information on challenges and strengths and offering some possible strategies. Some areas covered are Executive Functioning Differences, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, Imagination and Creativity. This is a half-day workshop.
Autism Awareness, Effective Communication and Engagement
The aim of this course is to provide attendees with an understanding of the importance and challenges of engaging with children and adults with autism. The course covers factors that make communication and engagement challenging; how individuals with autism engage; the impact of sensory differences on communication and engagement; the environment impacts on communication and engagement; the rules of engagement.
Autism Awareness and Understanding and Supporting Distressed Behaviour
The aim of this course is to provide attendees with an understanding that behaviour which challenges in autism is seldom simple or resulting from a single cause. The course covers the role of professionals; the role of families; sensory processing; quality of life; the impact of autism.
Autism Awareness and Sensory Differences (1)
The aim of this course is to provide attendees with an understanding of the everyday sensory experiences of people with autism and how to provide practical support. The course covers how sensory differences impact on people with autism; exploring all the senses; differentiating between hypersensitivity, hyposensitivity and synaesthesia; practical strategies to support people at home and in the workplace.
Autism and Sensory Differences (2)
In this course the facilitator explores the negative impact of sensory overload and what can be done to reduce its impact on autistic people, and will identify that the “challenging behaviour” that may be reported is really a form of communication, telling us that something is not right. Suitable for professionals, parents and people with autism (reasonable adjustments will be made throughout the course). The facilitator explores with participants what health, social care the education system and others can do to support autistic individuals.
Autism and Girls
This course explores the misunderstandings concerning girls and autism, including the concept of masking, the links between autism and mental health, and strategies that participants can take way and use when supporting autistic girls and women. Suitable for professionals, parents and people with autism (reasonable adjustments will be made throughout the course). The aim of the course is for participants to leave with a greater understanding of how to support all autistic girls and women.
Autism and Inclusive Recruitment Processes
This workshop is useful for anyone working in Human Resources or Recruitment. Participants will look at the process of recruitment from job advert through to interview feedback. Interactive methods and resources are used to help participants review some of their own practices to develop strategies and plans to become more autism-inclusive.
Autism and Preparing for Success in the Workplace
This workshop is useful for managers and human resource personnel. In this workshop participants will think through some of the potential challenges a new autistic employee might encounter when beginning a new position. Using real-life scenarios and interactive activities participants will be offered the opportunity to gain confidence regarding reasonable adjustments and creating a supportive working environment for autistic new-starters.
Train the Trainer – licensed (2.5-day course)
This course is the Autism Champions plus Learning Disabillities course with the addition of half a day to become a licensed trainer. The aim of the course is to provide attendees with a 2-year Living Autism licence to deliver training within their own organisation and to other organisations to Living Autism’s standards and using Living Autism materials. Attendees will first undertake the Champions course (2 days). Once they have completed the Champions course the attendees will undertake another half day’s training when they will be asked to deliver a short training session. The materials for delivery of a day’s training are CPD accredited.
Raising standards in autism services (12 days across 6 months)
The aim of this programme is to help services improve upon their CQC or OFSTED ratings. There are two aspects to this programme –
- Best practice in supporting autistic children and/or adults
- Best practice in the management of an autism service
The programme is delivered on site both in classroom situations and alongside the staff and managers in their working environments.
CPD accredited eLearning course
We recommend the course from www.autismspectrumcondition.com
This online course is endorsed by Living Autism, TEWV Mental Health Trust, City of York Council, University of York St John and Ronnie Pinder, autistic clinician and trainer.
Length of sessions
Sessions can be either for half day or for a full day. Longer sessions allow for deeper learning and provide for more discussion time.
The 2-day Champions course is 2 full consecutive days.
The 2.5-day Train the Trainer course is 2.5 days, with a gap of at least 7 days between Day 2 and Day 3.
Raising standards in autism services is for 12 full days spread over either 3 months or 6 months.
Size in numbers of courses
Attendees are capped at 20 per session for all training other than Champions or Train the Trainer which is capped at 10.
Costs (per group) 
Costs are dependent upon the organiser arranging the venue and refreshments.
Half-day session for up to 20 delegates (3 hours) – £545 + VAT
Full day session for up to 20 delegates (7 hours) – £995 + VAT
2-day Champions (for up to 10 delegates) – £2340 + VAT
2.5-day Train the Trainer (for up to 10 delegates) – £3095 + VAT
Raising standards (per day) – £995 + VAT
Costs (per individual)
Champions – eLearning + 3 Zoom sessions – £495 incl VAT
Train the Trainer licence – £567 incl VAT
Travel and accommodation expenses to be agreed in advance if in-house.
Facilitators
Our core team of facilitators is as below. Living Autism also partners with other autism organisations to deliver a broader range of courses.
Manar Matusiak
has over 20 years’ experience at director level in the specialist care and education sector, in particular in the field of autism. 
Manar holds a Masters in Education Management. She helped to set up and develop the first transitional residential service in the country for young adults with autism and complex needs for Options Group. Her background is in teaching and management. Manar is now Managing Director of Living Autism, helping people with autism and their families to find the most appropriate support for their needs. Manar provides training for care providers, employers, families and professionals across the country. She also offers coaching to individuals on the autism spectrum.
Mike Cowan-Jones
is a highly experienced occupational therapist and trainer. He qualified as an occupational therapist in 1991 and has been a trainer since 2006. As director of ARMS Rehab Limited, he provides training directly to the social and health sectors and provides training in partnership with other training providers to universities around the country. Mike’s training is fun, practical and relevant and he is highly respected within his field. Mike is a proud member of the Health & Care Professions Council, Royal College of Occupational Therapists and National Back Exchange
Watch Mike introducing himself and his workshops
Geoff Evans
began his professional career in the autism field 30 years ago at The National Autistic Society. During this time he gained
considerable experience in working with people across the whole spectrum as well as supporting families. In addition to his social work qualifications, Geoff has qualifications in Management, Training & Development and Outdoor Education. His extensive experience has been utilised by universities, the National Autistic Society, local authorities and others to enhance the design, content and delivery of a range of training programmes. In recent years Geoff has consolidated his position as an expert in the field of ASD and has built a nationally and internationally recognised reputation as a renowned speaker and specialist trainer.
Dr Jonathan Vincent
is a lecturer in Higher Education at Lancaster University. He has an international profile and published several papers in leading autism journals and has spoken at various conferences around the world. For the best part of the last decade he has worked with autistic university students and graduates, with a particular focus on transitions and employment. Jonathan is an experienced trainer and has delivered interactive workshops on inclusive recruitment to professionals from health, education, banking, and government departments, including the Ministry of Justice. His training is always informed by autistic experts-by-experience and evidence-based.
For further information please email training@livingautism.co.uk
For information on coaching and mentoring please visit livingautism.com/autism-training/autism-coaching-mentoring/
Licensed Trainers
Licensed trainers have undergone Living Autism training and are licensed to deliver autism training using Living Autism training materials. They are independent practitioners who manage their own training schedules and fees.
For a list of licensed trainers please email training@livingautism.co.uk
