Autism is a spectrum condition that affects around one in every 100 people. Children, young people and adults on the spectrum will come into contact with a range of different people and organisations in their everyday life and, depending on how their autism affects them, may have additional needs about how they communicate and interact with others.

Raising awareness and understanding of autism is one of the main priorities of Reading’s Autism Strategy. There are a number of organisations in Reading that can provide training to help people to improve their knowledge of autism. Some of these include:

Brighter Futures for Children's Autism Advisor  for families in Reading providing the ‘Living with Autism’ 5 week programme for parents/carers. To access this service please contact Children's Single Point of Access T: 0118 937 3641 (Office hours only) or email: cspoa@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

The Autism Advisor can also be contacted directly by families.  E: Autism.Advisor@brighterfuturesforchildren.org  

Autism Berkshire provides training for professionals, parents and carers to raise awareness of autism and issues associated with autism.

Autism Berkshire and Parenting Special Children now run workshops and courses for parents and carers through the Berkshire West Autism & ADHD Support Service, and that Autism Berkshire also offers EarlyBird Plus courses for parents and carers of children aged 5 to 9, and provides a Benefits Service.

Introducing the Berkshire West Autism & ADHD Support Service - Autism Berkshire

Training for Professionals and Businesses - Autism Berkshire

You can find out more information about all these courses and workshops on the Autism Berkshire website: Autism Berkshire Reading - Autism Berkshire

Parenting Special Children run specialist parenting programmes for parent/carers who have children with special needse cover Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire

You can find out more about these and other courses that Parenting Special Children run by visiting their website: Home Page - PSC (parentingspecialchildren.co.uk)

 Autism Matters provides training devised and delivered by a qualified and experienced autistic trainer. 

Autism Matters offers autism awareness courses  and talks as well as onsite training for therapists and employers.  I also offer individual consultations for those wishing to discuss autism related issues privately.This site also has a blog about autism related subjects and have collected made available a wide range of resources. Find our more by visiting our website Autism Matters - Home

More information and cost is available at the website www.autismmatters.org.uk or by The National Autistic Society provides a range of training and resources for professionals. See their website for more information: http://www.autism.org.uk/working-with.aspx

The Council’s Learning and Workforce Development Team offer a range of subsidised training for early years practitioners and social care partners. The programme changes each year depending on the needs identified, but you can find out about the latest courses available at: http://www.reading.gov.uk/training 

Page updated January 2024