Understanding Autism and Anxiety in Schools
Organiser
Who is this module for?
This module is for any member of the leadership team, including Senior Leadership, SENDCOs and pastoral leaders and would also be suitable for staff working as part of the attendance team. It would also be appropriate training for any other interested member of staff with the support of their Senior Leadership Team. The module is suitable for professionals working with autistic pupils aged 5-16 in mainstream and specialist schools.
Description
Anxious Non-Attendance (also referred to as Emotionally BasedSchool Avoidance) is a growing concern for autistic people, their families, and the professionals who work with them. By listening to the voices of those with lived experience, we were able to co-produce a module that helps others to understand how anxiety can lead to absence from school and its impact on an autistic pupil’s daily life. The module will help delegates to identify causes of Anxious Non-Attendance and consider reasonable adjustments that can be made to support autistic pupils to attend, as well as options to explore should attendance break down.
The aims
- To increase delegates’ understanding of the causes and impact of Anxious Non-Attendance.
- To develop delegates’ knowledge and understanding of practical strategies and approaches that can support pupils experiencing Anxious Non-Attendance.
- To develop delegates’ knowledge of where to find further support for pupils experiencing Anxious Non-Attendance
Learning Objectives
After completing the module, delegates will be able to:
- Understand the importance of meeting support needs to reduce Anxious Non-Attendance.
- Understand the individual experience of Anxious Non-Attendance.
- Be able to implement effective strategies, both at whole school and individual practitioner level, to support pupils experiencing, or at risk of, Anxious Non-Attendance.
Length
The length of the training session will depend on the training partner delivering the session. Please get in touch with them directly to enquire about this. If you can't see their contact details, please search for your local training partner and enquire.
Understanding Autism and Anxiety in Education is a professional development course designed to support school staff working with autistic children and young people across mainstream and specialist settings. The course explores the close relationship between autism and anxiety, drawing on current research, lived experience and good autism practice to help staff understand why anxiety is so common for autistic pupils and how it can affect learning, behaviour, wellbeing and school attendance. The training recognises autism as a difference rather than a deficit and places a strong emphasis on understanding anxiety within the context of the school environment and everyday practice. The course is highly practical and reflective, supporting participants to identify signs and triggers of anxiety, understand the impact of adult responses and school expectations, and make reasonable adjustments to reduce anxiety and promote emotional regulation. It provides staff with practical strategies to support autistic pupils both preventatively and at times of distress, alongside approaches to help pupils better understand and communicate about their anxiety. The course also emphasises the importance of partnership working with parents, carers and other professionals, and promotes a consistent, whole‑school approach to supporting emotional wellbeing and inclusion.