North Yorkshire have released some new dates for the Unlocking Autism courses available to parents and carers.

This new, free course aims to develop parental knowledge and understanding of autism, communication and sensory needs. The programme includes a session on understanding behaviour and supporting emotional regulation, resilience and wellbeing through the use of a range of tools and strategies.

The courses consists of five sessions which either run over two full days or as five, 2 hour webinars.

1. Autism: - What to look for and how to help. Includes information on related conditions.
2. Communication: - Understanding receptive and expressive language differences, how difficulties may present & how to use visual communication supports.
3. Sensory: - What drives sensory behaviour? How can we change unhelpful or dysregulating patterns. Information on sensory evaluation, sensory plans and recognising independent self-regulation.
4. Emotional regulation and resilience: - Thinking about your own wellbeing and resilience when living with difficult behaviour which challenges
5. Behaviour: - What defines behaviour? How can we recognise patterns and analyse underlying needs. This session will include a task on analysing behaviour to help parents unpick and resolve difficulties.

It is recommended that parents/carers complete all five sessions in order to derive maximum benefit from the programme