destination autism – guiding your journey is a brand new service to autism act. The lack of post diagnostic courses have been evident to me since my role in the local authority, even in that time the parent course I delivered with colleagues was cut from LA services. Although parents will be signposted to a number of organisations and services during or at the end of the diagnosis appointment, not all run a course to help parents understand autism and their child further.
This 5 weeks’ course is designed for parents, either pre or post their child’s diagnosis, to take them on that ‘journey’. A word that seems very cliched, but it is a journey of ups and downs, round and rounds, with light bulb moments and some dark times too.
destination autism – guiding your journey aims to make it all a bit easier with 5 carefully written 90 minutes workshops that help the understanding of autism and the strengths and challenges the child may experience. They are also designed to raise knowledge and build confidence, consequently helping to feel more empowered to support at home. destination autism – guiding your journey will also give ideas to try to help support, as well as signposting to other resources and services.
The 5 weeks’ course follows this schedule:
- Week 1 – Introduction to autism and the key areas of difference
- Key points handout
- Blank autism act individual profile sheet
- Week 2 – Supporting social and emotional understanding
- Key points handout
- Signposting to useful books, resources and websites
- Week 3 – Supporting communication and information processing
- Key points handout
- Signposting to useful books, resources and websites
- Blank timetables and planners
- Week 4 – Supporting sensory processing
- Key points handout
- Signposting to useful, resources and websites
- Blank autism act sensory processing checklist
- Week 5 – Sharing diagnosis and planning your next steps
- Key points handout
- Signposting to useful books, resources and websites
In addition to the course, there is an accompanying handbook that follows the course, including some blank formats to be used or filled in as the course is delivered. There is also the opportunity to book a free 45 minute 1:1 consultation.
The course is uniquely written and presented by autism act, based on previous knowledge and experience of delivering parent courses.
This can be a difficult time, hopefully destination autism – guiding your journey can help to ease the load a little.