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 Programme for 2 to 5 year olds
The NAS EarlyBird Programme Go to https://www.autism.org.uk/earlybird (opens new window) is a 3 month course for parents and carers of children between 2 and 5 years old who are:
- autistic
- waiting for an autism assessment and have social communication and interaction needs
The NAS EarlyBird programme works with parents and carers to help you:
- understand your child's autism, social communication and interaction needs
- develop your child's communication and interaction skills
- use and apply practical strategies to manage your child's behaviour
It combines:
- group training
- individual sessions for parents or carers
- home visit sessions with the child and parent or carer
Parents and carers need to commit to:
- a weekly 2.5 hour training session for 8 weeks
- 2 home visits
- ongoing work with your child during the 3 month programme
NAS EarlyBird Plus Programme for 5 to 9 year olds
The NAS EarlyBird Plus Programme is a 3 month course for parents and carers of children aged 5 to 9 who are:
- autistic
- waiting for an autism assessment and have social communication and interaction needs
The course:
- supports parents and carers to develop your understanding of autism and social communication, interaction and sensory needs
- encourages parents and carers to consider how the key areas of difference affect your child
- looks at communication differences and behaviour
We ask parents and carers need to commit to:
- 8 sessions, which are 2.5 hours long
- 2 home visits
There's space for up to 8 families on each course. Two places for parents and carers are allocated to each family.
Each family will get an EarlyBird Plus Programme book.
NAS Teen Life Programme for 10 to 18 year olds
The NAS Teen Life Programme is a 6 week course for parents and carers of children aged 10 to 18 who are:
- autistic
- waiting for an autism assessment and have social communication and interaction needs
The course aims to help parents and carers to understand how autistic teenagers experience autism.
Topics covered include:
- understanding autism in teenagers
- autism in women and girls
- self esteem
- spending time with other people
- stress and anxiety
- behaviour
- puberty
- independence skills
- planning for the future
Managing Anxiety course for 8 to 18 year olds
The Managing Anxiety course is a 6 week course for parents and carers of children aged 8 to 18 years old who are:
- autistic, waiting for an autism assessment or neurodiverse with social, communication and interaction 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.
Understanding and Responding to Distressed Behaviour for 8 to 18 year olds
The Understanding and Responding to Distressed Behaviour course is a 6 week course for parents and carers of children aged 8 to 18 years old who are:
- autistic, waiting for an autism assessment or neurodiverse with social, communication and interaction needs
- frequently becoming overwhelmed and experiencing meltdowns, which lead to distressed behaviours
The course aims to:
- allow parents and carers to share your experiences of your child's distressed behaviours
- explore how autism and social communication and interaction needs can influence children and how they respond to feeling overwhelmed
- consider strategies that may be helpful for parents, carers and children to understand, prepare for, de-escalate and respond to distressed behaviours
Topics covered include:
- understanding distressed behaviours
- identity, self esteem and wellbeing
- sensory needs
- recognising feelings
- strategies
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.
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
