What Family Learning courses we offer and how to add a child to the waiting list for one.
About the courses
The Bristol Autism Team runs a range of courses throughout the year. The courses are:
- free
- for parents and carers
- face to face and online
All courses are for parents and carers of children who are:
- autistic, or
- waiting for an autism assessment, or
- neurodiverse with social communication and interaction needs
If you're not sure if a course is suitable for your child, email autismfamilycourses@bristol.gov.uk
Our courses are for parents and carers only. You cannot bring your children with you to the courses.
Course length varies. You should attend all sessions wherever possible.
Course referrals
If you're a parent or carer, you can refer yourself for a course. You can also refer on behalf of a parent or carer, but you must get their consent. You cannot refer someone if you don't have their consent.
We prefer it if parents and carers who want to attend the course do the referral themselves.
Our courses fill up quickly. If you've made a referral and we don't have space, we'll contact the parent or carer when there's space on an upcoming course.
National Autistic Society (NAS) EarlyBird (up to 5 years) and EarlyBird Plus Programme (5 to 10 year olds)
The NAS EarlyBird and EarlyBird Plus Programme Go to https://www.autism.org.uk/earlybird (opens new window) is a 6 week course for parents and carers of children who are:
-
autistic
-
waiting for an autism assessment
-
neurodiverse with social communication and interaction and sensory needs
The programme aims to empower parents and carers to:
- understand more about autism
- discuss useful strategies on how to support autistic children
Every session on the programme includes discussion and participation. Parents and carers are encouraged to think about how they can use the strategies to support their child.
The 6 session programme covers:
- understanding autism
- communication
- understanding autistic experiences
- supporting daily living
- health and wellbeing
- connections
The content of EarlyBird and EarlyBird Plus is the same but the scenarios and discussions are different for the different age ranges.
Parents and carers must commit to:
- a weekly 2.5 hour training session for 6 weeks
- an individual session
There's space for up to 8 families on each course and a supporting professional. Each family gets 2 places for parents and carers. We encourage both parents to attend where possible.
Each family will get an EarlyBird or EarlyBird Plus Programme book.
Feedback from our families who have attended the course
'Everyone should do the course, it has already and will continue to change our family life for the better and my improved understanding on the reasons for my child's behaviour have allowed me to better advocate for him, which in turn has benefited his school experience. The trainers have been fantastic throughout and their knowledge and expertise and support is truly appreciated.'
'This course has been transformational and so helpful. The trainers are amazing. Thank you.' Dad that attended the course.
NAS Teen Life Programme for 10 to 16 year olds
The NAS Teen Life Programme is a 6 week course for parents and carers of children aged 10 to 16 who are:
- autistic
- waiting for an autism assessment and have social communication and interaction and sensory needs
The course aims to help parents and carers to understand how autistic teenagers experience autism.
Topics covered include:
-
understanding autism
-
understanding autistic identity
-
stress and anxiety
-
understanding behaviour
-
health and wellbeing
-
puberty
-
education
-
transition to adulthood
There's space for up to 8 families on each course. Two places for parents and carers are allocated to each family. We encourage both parents to attend where possible.
Each family will get an TeenLife Programme book.
Feedback from our families who have attended the course
'I've really enjoyed the course. The ladies running the course were lovely and knowledgeable. Also it was nice to hear about other families who had similar children and situations to me.'
Managing Anxiety course for 6 to 18 year olds
Everyone referring will be offered a 2.5 hour webinar as a course taster. Those wishing to can then sign up for the 6 week course.
The Managing Anxiety course is a 6 week course for parents and carers of children aged 6 to 18 years old who are:
- autistic, waiting for an autism assessment or neurodiverse with social, communication, interaction and sensory needs
- experiencing anxiety that affects their wellbeing and ability to access a range of different environments, including family life, school and activities outside of school
The course aims to:
- allow parents and carers to share your experiences of managing your child's anxiety
- explore how autism and social communication and interaction needs can influence children and the anxiety they experience
- consider strategies that may be helpful for parents, carers and children to understand and manage anxiety
Topics covered include:
- what is anxiety
- sensory needs
- parent wellbeing
We ask parents and carers to commit to 6 weekly sessions, which are 2.5 hours long.
There's space for up to 10 families on each course. Two places for parents and carers are allocated for each family.
Feedback from our families who have attended the course
‘The atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming, and it really helps me to think about how to cope with my son's anxiety in a different sense. I would like to use the things I learnt here in future to make my sons anxiety more manageable. Thank you again for an excellent course'
Parents Plus Special Needs Programme
The Parents Plus Special Needs Programme is a 7 week course for parents and carers of children aged 9 to 18. The programme supports parents to manage common issues in families with a child who has social communication and interaction needs, including autism.
Parents Plus is a charity which designs evidenced based parenting programmes and trains professionals in delivering them. Bristol City Council also runs the Parents Plus Adolescents Programme. The Special Needs Programme was originally designed for parents of children with a learning disability. The Bristol Autism Team has worked with Parents Plus to adapt the course for parents and carers of children who have social, communication and interaction needs, including autism.
The course aims to:
- allow parents and carers to share your experiences of parenting a child with social communication and interaction needs, including autism
- focus on parent and carer wellbeing
- consider siblings, the whole family and their support network
- maximise opportunities for parents and carers to connect with each other throughout the course
Topics covered include:
- understanding the journey of parenting a child with social communication and interaction needs, including autism
- managing stress and looking after yourself as a parent
- supporting brothers and sisters and family relationships
- establishing good family routines
- managing behaviours
- supporting good friendships and social opportunities
- building self esteem, confidence and independence
- supporting teenagers' education and development
- dealing with puberty, sexuality and relationships
- preparing for future transitions and adulthood
We ask parents and carers to commit to 7 weekly sessions, which are 2.5 hours long.
There's space for up to 10 families on each course. Two places for parents and carers are allocated for each family.
Add a child or children to the waiting list
You can add up to 4 children on the form.
Add a child to the Family Learning courses waiting list
Contact us
Email autismfamilycourses@bristol.gov.uk
Write to:
Family Learning Courses Admin Support Officer
Bristol Autism Team
Family Learning and Family Support Hub
Bristol Autism Team (CH)
PO Box 3399
Bristol
BS1 9NE
