Parents / carers and neurodivergent people are welcome to attend any of our sessions at no cost. Our training schedule runs throughout the year and we believe it is one of the best ways to offer support, as it provides a wealth of knowledge and the means to build a personal “toolbox” of useful strategies and systems to implement in day-to-day life. We recommend participating in the Supporting Autism and Neurodiversity (SAND) block initially, and then any additional sessions relevant to you.
Heather Wright has tailored and created these enlightening and empowering sessions from her own personal and professional experience.
Materials and helpful handouts are provided to reinforce all that is learned in each session, plus an attendance certificate at the end of a block.
Block 1 – Supporting Autism & Neurodiversity (SAND)
10am – 1pm @ EDVA, 18 Townhead, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, G66 1NL or Zoom Online
Session 1 Monday 22nd April 2024 Intro to Neurodiversity; Communication
Session 2 Monday 29th April 2024 Processing Differences
Session 3 Monday 13th May 2024 Sensory Differences
Session 4 Monday 20th May 2024 Arousal & Behaviour; Getting it Right
Session 5 Monday 3rd June 2024 Communication Passports *optional
SAND Session Overview
Introduction to Neurodiversity: An introduction to the presentation and impacts of neurodiversity explaining the different conditions and their overlaps.
Communication: The differences and impacts on communication and practical strategies to support.
Processing Differences: The differences and impacts of brain diversity and their impacts on function with practical strategies to minimise impact.
Sensory Differences: Understanding the sensory system and the differences common within neurodiversity. The impacts of these and practical strategies to minimise and manage impact.
Arousal and Behavioural: A look at the impact these differences have on arousal levels and resulting defensive behaviours. Strategies to understand causation and to reduce and manage arousal and behaviours.
Getting it Right: Practical strategies to analyse behaviours and how to build intervention plans to support growth and capacity within our individuals. How to manage risk and minimise negative behaviours.
Communication Passports: See end of schedule - optional session
Block 2 – Adult Add-On Sessions (16 years +)
7pm - 10pm @ Zoom Online
Session 1 Tuesday 23rd April 2024 Embracing Self and Wellbeing
Session 2 Tuesday 30th April 2024 Order or Chaos
Session 3 Tuesday 7th May 2024 Relationships
Session 4 Tuesday 14th May 2024 Benefits, Housing & Employment
Session 5 Tuesday 21st May 2024 Transition & Planning for the Future
Adult Add-On Session Overview
Embracing self & Wellbeing: Accessing diagnosis, managing diagnosis, general supports; Practical strategies to manage stress and protect physical and mental wellbeing.
Order or Chaos: Managing executive skills weaknesses, in the education, work and home environment.
Relationships: Managing social and work settings, family and partner relationships, circles of support.
Benefits; Housing & Employment: Looking at entitlements and application methods; Additional housing supports available and how to apply; Opportunities and rights for employment. [Including a presentation from Social Security Scotland].
Transition & Planning for the Future: Preparing young adults for independence, forming life plans, embedding life strategies; Moving into further education or employment.
Block 3 – Add-On Sessions
10am – 1pm @ Flemington House or Zoom Online
Session 1 Wednesday 24th April 2024 Reducing the Impacts
Session 2 Wednesday 1st May 2024 Practical Problems of Care
Session 3 Wednesday 8th May 2024 Puberty & Teens
Session 4 Wednesday 15th May 2024 Learning, Homework & Beyond
Session 5 Wednesday 22nd May 2024 Manaagement of Agression
Session 6 Wednesday 29th May 2024 Communication Challenges
Add-on Sessions Overview
Reducing the Impacts: A look at social relationships and executive skills; with guidelines for social story and structures strategies.
Practical Problems of Care: Looking at possible causes and impacts of these issues and some possible strategies to manage them.
Puberty and Teens: Looking at the differences in neurodiverse presentation and the impacts of the social, emotional and body changes that occur at this stage. With possible forward and during planning and strategies. Advised for carers of 8-20yr olds.
Learning, Homework and Beyond: How to support individuals with learning (life skills and academic) study and academic environments. How to interface with educational services to maximise outcomes.
Communication Challenges: Non-verbal and those that struggle with language [both permanent, and temporary] the challenges for carer and individual, with management and communication strategies.
Block 4 – Supporting Autism & Neurodiversity (SAND)
7pm - 10pm @ Zoom Online
Session 1 Thursday 25th April 2024 Intro to Neurodiversity; Communication
Session 2 Thursday 2nd May 2024 Processing Differences
Session 3 Thursday 9th May 2024 Sensory Differences
Session 4 Thursday 16th May 2024 Arousal & Behaviour; Getting it Right
Session 5 Thursday 23rd May 2024 Communication Passports *optional
SAND Session Overview
Noted above in Block 1
Communication Passports & Future Planning Information Session
7pm Thursday 23rd May 2024 @ Zoom Online or
10am Monday 3rd June 2024 @ EDVA, 18 Townhead, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, G66 1NL or Zoom
This session gives detailed information on how to formulate a personalised support document for your individual; highlighting strengths and challenges. We will share models and advice on content and uses, highlighting for you how these documents help to understand presentation better and to guide self and others to adapt the environment and maximise potential. A Communication Passport is a highly valuable tool to have for those attending school, college, hospital, workplace, or other establishments.
We then discuss the importance of having plans for your individual, in the event that their main caregiver(s) cannot continue to support.
This session usually culminates the block of SAND – but can be attended individually, as required.
Practical Sensory Workshop
10am – 1pm Thursday 30th May @ Saracen Primary, 65 Stoneyhurst Street, G22 5AX
Arousal, Sensory and Self-Regulation - A practical session on managing arousal. This is a 3-hour session looks at sensory strategies to regulate and improve function, covering:
Definition of arousal
Sensory processing differences
The importance of regulation
Sensory Diets, Brain and Movement Break
Equipment is available to view / trial and is demonstrated to show its effectiveness for various strategies. The session comes with supporting handouts: Power point handout; Junior sensory diet; Movement and brain breaks; Additional resource sheet.