**Please note that training delivered online is via a Zoom account held by Dr Farahar.
** In-person training needs to be agreed before booking, and prices are exclusive of travel (also exclusive of lunch and/or dinner if day or multiple day trainings booked)
Please note that training delivery by Dr Chloe Farahar is unavailable in 2023. Booking should open up again late 2024.
Please contact Aucademy for any training needs you might have.
Training currently offered (enquire if there is a topic you are interested in not stated here):
Intersectionality and inclusivity training
LGBTQIA+ allyship training
Autistic language processing hypothesis training
Programme (6+2 hours): Developing your neurodivergent self-advocacy
(in education &/or the workplace)
For staff: Neurodivergent self-advocacy for students/employees workshop
Language and narrative: Fostering a positive Autistic identity for wellbeing
Updated in 2021: Autistic experience, gender, & sexuality
New in 2021: Creating neurodivergent friendly learning environments (and teaching environments for neurodivergent staff)
New in 2021: Fostering a positive Autistic identity for wellbeing
New in 2021: “autism” theories versus Autistic theories of Autistic experience
New in 2020: Working with neurodiversity in mind: What can we learn from lock-down?
New in 2020: Autistic wellbeing: What works?
New in 2019: Neurodiversity event (for young pupils, year 7+)/Explaining Autistic experience to a child, young person, and families
Autism Spectrum Disorder Autistic experience
The evolution of neurodiversity: A critical perspective of mental health (alternatively: The stigma of mental health experiences: How can psychology tackle it?)
Autism Theory and Practical Skills Training
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
If you’re training interests are not listed please book a meeting with Dr Farahar to discuss your training needs:
SOME OF THE ORGANISATIONS WHO HAVE HOSTED TRAINING DELIVERED BY DR CHLOE FARAHAR:
- Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg
- AT-Autism
- Barnet PRUs School
- BeYou
- BISnet
- Breakout Youth
- Broadstairs College
- Canterbury College
- Caremark (Thanet/Dover/Canterbury)
- CCCU
- Derby PCT
- Eagle House
- Edgebury Primary School
- Euroclear
- Family Voice Surrey
- Haringey
- Health Education England
- Herne Bay High
- InTune
- Kent Fire & Rescue
- KMPT
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- MENCAP
- NAS E Renfrewshire
- NAS Surrey
- Neurodive
- New School of Psychotherapy & Counselling
- North East Autism Society
- Nurture Programme
- Nurture the Nook
- Pinpoint
- RCP – Faculty of General Adult Psychiatry Annual Conference
- Reframing Autism
- Royal Holloway
- SEND Family Instincts
- Sligo
- The Autistic Collective
- University of Exeter
- University of Hertfordshire
- University of Kent
- University of Portsmouth
- University of Warwick
- University of Westminster
- We Are With You
- Yellow Lady Bugs
New in 2021: Creating neurodivergent friendly learning environments
(and teaching environments for neurodivergent staff)
In a sentence:
In this talk Dr Chloe Farahar, an Autistic academic, walks attendees through example practical things educators can do to make learning environments neurodivergent inclusive.
Overview:
In this talk Dr Chloe Farahar, an Autistic academic, walks attendees through example practical things educators can do to make learning environments neurodivergent inclusive. To be neurodivergent inclusive in the classroom it’s important that we acknowledge, accommodate, and normalise inclusive practices, this means:
- Acknowledge: Learning about neurodivergence and inclusive practices – that’s what you’re doing with this session!
- Accommodate: Adjusting our practices
- Normalise: Normalising these practices for everyone – not just singling out neurominorities
Dr Farahar can also discuss how to make the teaching environment neurodivergent inclusive for staff who are neurodivergent themselves (e.g., Autistic; attention differences; dyslexic; dyspraxic; anxiety; etc.).
Detailed layout:
- Who am I (Dr Chloe Farahar)?
- Questions to ponder…
- What is neurodiversity really?
- Common neurodivergences
- Challenges and strengths
- Neurodivergent friendly learning environments for students
- Example for practical strategies
(if time/wanted)
- Neurodivergent friendly teaching environments for staff
- #AutisticsInAcademia suggestions for neurodivergent inclusive academia
Q & A
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
New in 2021: Fostering a positive Autistic identity for wellbeing
(Autistic identity, culture, community, and space for wellbeing)
In a sentence:
In this talk Dr Chloe Farahar, an Autistic academic, discusses the importance of moving away from a pathologised, medical “culture of autism” to the positive Autistic identity found via Autistic culture.
Overview:
In this talk Dr Chloe Farahar, an Autistic academic, discusses the importance of moving away from a pathologised, medical “culture of autism” to the positive Autistic identity that can be found via Autistic culture, community, and space, demonstrating how this narrative switch improves wellbeing.
Detailed layout:
- Growing up Autistic
- What is “autism” and what is Autistic experience?
- Busting myths
- The “culture of autism” vs. Autistic Culture
- Fostering a positive Autistic identity via culture, community, and spaces for wellbeing
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
New in 2021: “autism” theories versus Autistic theories of Autistic experience
In a sentence:
In this talk Dr Chloe Farahar, an Autistic academic, provides an overview of the non-autistic derived theories of “autism” and their critiques, ending on discussion of Autistic theories of Autistic experience.
Overview:
In this talk Dr Chloe Farahar, an Autistic academic, provides an overview of the non-autistic derived theories of “autism” and their critiques, ending on discussion of Autistic theories of Autistic experience. Chloe aims to provide attendees with a nuanced perspective about the difference of being a “person with autism” as theorised by non-autistic researchers, and an Autistic person humanised by non-deficit models of Autistic experience developed by Autistic researchers.
Detailed layout:
- Neurotypical theories of autism and their criticisms: Why are there Autistic people?
- Behavioural
- Biological
- Cognitive
- Why autism is not a disorder: Autistic theories of Autistic experience
- Monotropism
- Double empathy problem
- The Autistic three dimensions space (Farahar & Foster, 2018)
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
New in 2020: Working with neurodiversity in mind: What can we learn from lock-down?
In a sentence:
In this training session, Chloe helps you recognise what can be learnt from the lock-down to help you create a strong neurodiverse workplace.
Overview:
In this webinar, Dr Chloe Farahar, an Autistic academic, helps you recognise what can be learnt from the lockdown to help you create a strong neurodiverse workplace. While providing an understanding of what neurodiversity is, and the common types of neurodivergent employees you will work with, this webinar offers practical examples and potential solutions to some common challenges and strengths neurodivergent employees experience. This will help you work with neurodiversity in mind so that you, your workplace, and importantly your employees and colleagues, benefit and thrive from the diversity of human minds.
(This was part of the university’s Kent and Innovation Centre: Covid 19 Business Recovery Response webinar series)
Detailed layout:
- What is neurodiversity?
- And neurodiverse workplaces?
- Common neurodivergences
- Empathising with neurodivergent experiences
- How can Zoom fatigue help me empathise with Autistic and socially anxious people?
- Case study – a chef with attention differences
- Lockdown benefits for some neurodivergent workers
- challenges and strengths
- Moving forward post lockdown with neurodiversity in mind
- Reflective questions and recommendations
- Q & A
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
New in 2020: Autistic wellbeing – what works? Does CBT work?
In a sentence:
In this session, Dr Chloe Farahar critically discusses the evidence for the use of CBT with Autistic people, and asks attendees to consider the wellbeing of Autistic people, and not how to change Autistic experience.
Overview:
In this training Chloe discusses the evidence for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as a therapy for Autistic people who have anxiety, depression, and/or low self-esteem, and why Autistic people need Autistic identity, culture, community, and space for better mental wellbeing.
Detailed layout:
- What is Autistic experience? Clinical versus Autistic community definitions
- What wellbeing concerns do Autistic people have?
- Anxiety
- Overwhelm; meltdown; shutdown; burnout (versus depression)
- Harmful stims
- Typical psychological divergences e.g. voice-hearing
- Why does typical CBT not always work?
- Challenges of using CBT to improve Autistic wellbeing
- Therapists and their challenging behaviours – not knowing difference between Autistic experience and mental wellbeing issues; too much focus on Autistic behavioural change
- Adapting CBT – does it work? Limitations of studies
- Importance of Autistic identity, culture, community, and spaces for wellbeing
- Summary and close – Mindful stimming
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
Questions to ask a new therapist when you’re Autistic – downloadable PDF and infographic
![ALT TEXT: navy background, lower left has the gold Aucademy logo, gold writing over the top reads:
"Questions to ask a therapist
(Note: A good therapist will be happy in answering all these questions)
What are your qualifications/certifications?
How long have you been qualified?
What modality [type of therapy] are you qualified in? Do you work from a trauma-informed perspective? How do you understand the difference between being Autistic & mental health concerns?
What Continuing Professional Development have you undertaken since
qualification in relation to supporting Autistic people? Do you update this regularly?
Are you a member of a professional body? (In the UK we have UKCP, BPC,
NCS, BACP, PTUK, BABCP, ACAT, ACC, ACP, ADMP, BAPT, BPA, COSRT, COSCA,
EAGT, UKAHPP, FDAP, HCPC, HGI, IACP, UKATA, UPCA) UK law does not
regulate therapy so finding out if a therapist is registered with a
professional body can be an important question to ask.
What is your connection to autism?/Are you Autistic?
Do you know of, or are you able to learn about how I experience being Autistic?
(list things you know about yourself: hyperphantasia/aphantasia; alexithymia; weak/strong interoception; etc.)
Do you offer a free session/intro session? Do you offer concessions/free sessions?
Do you have a minimum number of sessions?
Do you have a contract?
Is everything we talk about confidential? How does your safeguarding work?
Do you receive supervision? If so, how often?
What motivated you to train to become a therapist?
Have you been in therapy yourself?
What about contact in-between sessions?
Do you offer crisis therapy?
How do you support Autistic people when sessions are coming to an end?
What if we don't get on? What happens then?
*Autistics, trauma, & access to therapy: Angela Kelly educates Aucademy 18.09.2021*: https://bit.ly/39LR9wj" ALT TEXT ENDS](https://i0.wp.com/aucademy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/asking-therapists-questions-1.jpg?resize=1080%2C1398&ssl=1)
New in 2019: Neurodiversity event (for young pupils, year 7+):
Understanding & Accepting Neuro-divergent Ways of Experiencing the World
In a sentence:
An age-appropriate half-day event for young school pupils to learn about neurodiversity and different types of neurodivergence.
In this day of activities and workshops Dr Chloe Farahar introduces neurodiversity to young school pupils (year 7+), with a focus on accepting and accommodating their peers who experience the world differently.
This session can also be run as a 1.5 hours:
Explaining Neurodiversity as a family with Chloe
Understanding & Accepting Neuro-divergent Ways of Experiencing the World
(including being Autistic, with downloadable lab notes for families)
Please note that this workshop contains real-life narratives about being Autistic.
Session overview:
- What is neurodiversity?
- Thinking differently with Chloe – an introduction to Autistic stimming
- Sticks and stones may break my bones – the importance of language
(more detailed layout):
- Task One: What is neurodiversity?
- Definitions
- What kinds of neurodivergence are there?
- Task Two: – what challenges and strengths are there?
- Common neurodivergences
- Task Three: – the banana problem
- Celebrate & accept neurodivergences – thinking differently with Chloe
- What is stimming?
- Stim task – mindful stimming
- Task Four: The role of understanding and kindness
- Sticks and stones may break my bones….
- Task Five: what are your challenges and strengths
- Stereotypes and language
- Task Six: What’s in a name?
- Chloe’s challenge and strengths
- Summary
If time/required, Chloe can also provide a short presentation on her personal Autistic experiences:
- Autistic childhood, school, and “friends”
- Teenage years and “friends”
- Stimming
- My kind of relationship
- Difficulties
- Strengths
- What would I change…
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Autistic experience
In a sentence:
Autism Spectrum Disorder Autistic experience: A critical perspective: What is autism & what it is not; what psychology is catching up with; why autism is not a disorder but a neurodivergence.
In this workshop Dr Chloe Farahar demonstrates a critical perspective on what is presently called Autism Spectrum “Disorder”, and helps provide practical advice on how to approach and support neuro-divergent students.
Please note that this workshop contains real-life narratives about being Autistic.
Workshop overview:
- What is autism – what it is not (myths and misconceptions)
- What psychology is catching up with
- Why autism is not a disorder
(more detailed layout):
- What is autism – what it is not (myths and misconceptions)
- Autistic strengths
- Mind your language
- What psychology is catching up with:
- Autism is more than an “extreme male brain”
- Autistic people are also:
- Men, women, non-binary, trans, queer people who do not experience autism as an “extreme male brain” – external vs. internal phenotype/expression
- Why autism is not a disorder
- How different psychological disciplines can approach a phenomenon differently (theoretically, methodologically etc.)
- Why humanity is neuro-diverse
If time/required, Chloe can also provide a short presentation on her personal Autistic experiences:
- Autistic childhood, school, and “friends”
- Teenage years and “friends”
- Stimming
- My kind of relationship
- Difficulties
- Strengths
- What would I change…
- Advocates
- No, I may not “look” like your child…
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
The Evolution of Neuro-Diversity: A Critical Perspective of Mental Health Workshop
(alternatively: The Stigma of Mental Health Experiences: How Can Psychology Tackle It?)
In a sentence:
In this workshop Dr Chloe Farahar demonstrates a critical perspective and analysis of what are presently called “mental illnesses”, and the subject of “mental health”.
While this workshop focusses on mental health stigma, it also provides an insight into how to consider and apply a critical psychological perspective, in this instance, one at odds with the dominant medical-model discourse surrounding neuro-diversity.
Please note that this workshop contains real-life narratives about mental health (contains a short video that mentions abuse, aggression, and suicide – not in detail). We will also be discussing the negative language and portrayals of mental health, so please be aware that negative language will be used, but as a means to discuss and break-down stigma.
Workshop overview:
Stigma of mental health experiences:
- What is stigma?
- Why’s it a problem?
- Pathology or neuro-divergence?
- How can we reduce it?
(more detailed layout):
- Task – mentally-ill vs. mentally-well
- The problem – mental illness stigma
- Pathology paradigm
- Language shaping stigma attitudes and behaviour
- Muffin time!
- What’s “normal” anyway
- Debunking the pathology paradigm
- Normalcy of “psychosis”/hallucinating
- Neuro-diversity paradigm
- Why we need different minds – the banana problem
- A life in labels – illness or neuro-divergence?
- How to cope with being neuro-divergent – the Power Threat Meaning Framework
- What can we do?
- Language of neuro-diversity
- Overview
- Celebrate diversity
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
Autism Theory and Practical Skills Training
In a sentence:
In this training Chloe provides a theoretical understanding about Autistic experience and practical knowledge about how to best support Autistic people in whatever capacity you come into contact with them.
This training teaches you the basics of what Autistic experience is, from Autistic trainers with lived experience. You will learn about appropriate language to talk to and about Autistic people, and together we will combat myths and misconceptions about what autism is, and what it is not, relying heavily on both up-to-date research and our work with Autistic students on a daily basis, as well as our own personal experiences. You will not only learn about Autistic experience, but we will discuss the practical things you can do to support Autistic people to thrive.
Below is the possible layout for this training, which is split into two sessions:
- Theoretical understanding about Autistic experience:
Autism Spectrum DisorderAutistic experience - Practical knowledge about how to best support Autistic people: Putting Autistic Theory into Practice
1. Autism Spectrum Disorder Autistic experience
In a sentence:
Autism Spectrum Disorder Autistic experience: A critical perspective: What is autism & what it is not; what psychology is catching up with; why autism is not a disorder but a neurodivergence.
In this workshop Dr Chloe Farahar demonstrates a critical perspective on what is presently called Autism Spectrum “Disorder”, and helps provide practical advice on how to approach and support neuro-divergent students.
Please note that this workshop contains real-life narratives about being Autistic.
Workshop overview:
- What is autism – what it is not (myths and misconceptions)
- What psychology is catching up with
- Why autism is not a disorder
(more detailed layout):
- What is autism – what it is not (myths and misconceptions)
- Autistic strengths
- Mind your language
- What psychology is catching up with:
- Autism is more than an “extreme male brain”
- Autistic people are also:
- Men, women, non-binary, trans, queer people who do not experience autism as an “extreme male brain” – external vs. internal phenotype/expression
- Why autism is not a disorder
- How different psychological disciplines can approach a phenomenon differently (theoretically, methodologically etc.)
- Why humanity is neuro-diverse
2. Putting Autistic Theory into Practice
In a sentence:
In this session Dr Chloe Farahar explains Autistic differences, difficulties, and experiences that may need practical accommodation, and suggests how you might provide them.
Session overview:
- Example Autistic experiences you may or may not be aware of
- Practical skills you can use to help Autistic people manage difficult experiences
- How these difficulties are not inherently due to being neuro-divergent, but due to a difference in needs and experience of the environment
(more detailed layout):
- Example Autistic experiences you may or may not be aware of
- Different learning styles, experiences, and strategies to help/manage
- Practical skills you can use to help Autistic people manage difficult experiences
- Executive functioning issues/differences
- Autistic inertia/flow states
- Perfectionism and imposter syndrome
- Specificity, vagueness, ambiguity – bluntness, to the point
- Networking – urghhh!
- Masking, camouflaging, mimicking –> burnout, shutdown
- Sensory and social overwhelm –> overload, meltdown
- How these difficulties are not inherently due to being neuro-divergent, but due to a difference in needs and the environment
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
Autistic experience, gender, & sexuality
In this workshop Dr Chloe Farahar & Annette Foster demonstrates a critical perspective on what is presently called Autism Spectrum “Disorder”, presenting the more tangible and varied Autistic experience perspective. Annette and Chloe also talk about why Autistic experience is not a white male experience, and why we see more gender and sexual diversity in the Autistic population than the non-autistic.
Workshop overview:
- Who are we?
- Defining autism: What is “autism” and what is Autistic experience
- Busting myths, & providing the language of Autistic culture
- Why are we seeing more female Autistics? And what about the LGBTQIA+ Autistics?
- Why does there seem to be more LGBTQIA+ Autistics than NTs?
- masking and the bias in literature and diagnosis
- Gender and sexual fluidity and diversity
- Why Autistic people are NeuroQueer (even if cis and straight)
- Our Autistic gender and sexuality
- Q & A
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
Language and narrative: Fostering a positive Autistic identity for wellbeing
Overview:
In this talk Dr Chloe Farahar, an Autistic academic, discusses the importance of moving away from a pathologised, medical “culture of autism” to the positive Autistic identity that can be found via Autistic culture, community, and space, demonstrating how this narrative switch improves wellbeing.
Session overview:
HOUR ONE
- A rose by any other name would smell…of stigma
- The problem – stigma
- Pathology paradigm
- Language shaping stigma attitudes and behaviour
HOUR TWO
- What is “autism” and what is Autistic experience
- Mind your language
- The “culture of autism” vs. Autistic Culture
- Fostering a positive Autistic identity via culture, community, and spaces for wellbeing
- Q & A
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
Programme (6+2 hours): Developing your neurodivergent self-advocacy
(in education &/or the workplace)
Overview:
In this three week programme (three, two-hour sessions, six hours total), Dr Chloe Farahar, an Autistic academic, aims to help students, and/or employees explore their personal neurodivergent experience and develop an individual learning/working plan to create a solutions framework that can be used to navigate different environments. There is also an accompanying teacher/employer two-hour workshop.
Student/employee programme aims/session outlines:
Workshop ONE: What is neurodiversity? aims:
- Learn what neurodiversity is as a sociopolitical paradigm
- Learn some example neurodivergent experiences (neurodevelopmental)
- Understand the difference between “autism” and Autistic experience
- Understand that everyone has challenges and strengths because as a society we are neurodiverse
- Learn that the environment needs to adapt for neurodivergent experiences, not disable us for being different
Workshop TWO: Developing your neurodivergent self-advocacy: Development of Individual/Inclusive Learning Plan/Inclusive Working Plan aims:
- Learn the important difference between labels and identity when it comes to being neurodivergent
- Understand the pathology/medical narrative of labelling difference perpetuates stigma
- Learn the types of differences, difficulties, and barriers we might experience and face as ND people/students/employees
- Learn what self-advocacy is and think about how you might self-advocate
- Start to learn and build your neurodivergent profile
- Start to build your personal Inclusive Learning/Working Plan (ILP/IWP)
Workshop THREE: Continuing your Inclusive Learning/Working Plans & putting them into practice: Continuing to build your self-advocacy aims:
- Continue to build ILPs/IWPs – feedback support
- Continue to build self-awareness
- Start to build your skills to communicate your needs
- Start to have an awareness of your legal rights
Staff neurodivergent self-advocacy for students/employees workshop overview
In this two-hour workshop, staff will cover material about supporting neurodivergent students, as well as receive information outlining effective methods of support and communication. The workshop also aims to challenge stereotypes and educate on the realities of the neurodivergent experience.
Staff neurodivergent self-advocacy for students/employees workshop aims/session outline (pre-reading and questions further down):
PART ONE: Understanding, accepting, & embracing neurodivergent ways of experiencing the world
- Learn what neurodiversity is as a sociopolitical paradigm and example neurodivergent experiences (neurodevelopmental)
- Understand that everyone has challenges and strengths because as a society we are neurodiverse
- Learn that the environment needs to adapt for neurodivergent experiences, not disable us for being different
PART TWO: Practical approaches to building neurodivergent-inclusive practices
- Learn the types of differences, difficulties, and barriers we might experience and face as ND people/students/employees
- Learn how you can help students self-advocate, and how you can adjust your practices to support ND student/employee needs
- Learn what an Inclusive Learning Plan/Inclusive Working Plan is, and what is required by law to put in place for disabled students/employees
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
Autistic language processing hypothesis training
In this workshop Rachel Cullen dives into their hypothesis on Autistic language processing and how to apply it to real world contexts. They have an educational background in language, linguistics, and autism. This workshop encourages questions and examples so that we can work through how this might be processed from an Autistic perspective.
Disclaimer: the Autistic language processing hypothesis has not yet been substantiated in research, which would allow the hypothesis to be generalised to Autistic people. Therefore, it is only a hypothesised version of Autistic language processing and not a full theory as of yet. This also does not take into account co-occurring language differences such as an Autistic person who is also dyslexic.
Workshop overview:
- Introduction to who Rachel Cullen is and their background & experience
- General overview of the language hypothesis
- Discussion of a few common examples such as explaining why ‘how was your day’ may not the best question to ask an autistic person.
- Participants can discuss any examples they would like explored
- Tailored section for the context of the attendees such as education, health, and social care, parents, autistic people themselves etc. This will be discussed in advance of the session.
- Q & A
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
For staff: Neurodivergent self-advocacy for students/employees workshop
In this two-hour workshop, Dr Chloe Farahar, an Autistic academic, aims to help staff with practical suggestions on how to accommodate neurodivergent students, as well as receive information outlining effective methods of support and communication. The workshop also aims to challenge stereotypes and educate on the realities of the neurodivergent experience.
(Note that there is also a three session (up to six hours) accompanying programme of workshops for neurodivergent students/employees to build knowledge of their profiles and learn how to communicate their accommodation needs: For students/employees: Developing your neurodivergent self-advocacy)
Workshop aims/session outline (downloadable pre-reading and questions further down):
PART ONE: Understanding, accepting, & embracing neurodivergent ways of experiencing the world
- Learn what neurodiversity is as a sociopolitical paradigm and example neurodivergent experiences (neurodevelopmental)
- Understand that everyone has challenges and strengths because as a society we are neurodiverse
- Learn that the environment needs to adapt for neurodivergent experiences, not disable us for being different
PART TWO: Practical approaches to building neurodivergent-inclusive practices
- Learn the types of differences, difficulties, and barriers we might experience and face as ND people/students/employees
- Learn how you can help students self-advocate, and how you can adjust your practices to support ND student/employee needs
- Learn what an Inclusive Learning Plan/Inclusive Working Plan is, and what is required by law to put in place for disabled students/employees
Each individual workshop suits a two-hour (or more) timeframe to incorporate interaction, reflection, and discussion.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend, and workshops have been delivered to both small (e.g. 10) and large groups (80+). Workshops are appropriate for all age groups and backgrounds (upwards of age 14 years+, and 10 years+ for the neurodiversity day event), and have been carried out with: teenage school children; foundation degree students; degree students; charitable organisation staff/volunteers; Metropolitan Police personnel; support and well-being staff etc.
Fees:
Online training: Training sessions are £130 per hour, per trainer for online training, plus £100 for a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use.
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour, per trainer, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted), plus £100 for a videographer to attend and provide a recording of the session hosted privately by Aucademy for attendee personal use. A booking of four hours minimum is required for in-person training. Please confirm in-person training with us before using our booking system.
If you are a charitable organisation with limited funds still get in touch and we can see what we can do – we never want to price out organisations wanting to improve their understanding of Autistic experience.
LGBTQIA+ allyship training
Graysen Whittaker (he/they) offers training both online and face-to-face, covering topics relating to LGBTQIA+ experiences.
Graysen is a a neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ person, and has professional experience as an Equality Diversity and Inclusion professional, spanning six years of employment in EDI settings, and is offering training on LGBTQIA+ topics, and intersectionality and inclusivity more broadly.
Training sessions suit a minimum of one-to-two hours, and Graysen can accommodate half and full day delivery depending on your training needs.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend trainings with Graysen. For schools and colleges in the UK, Graysen prioritises face-to-face bookings due to the nature of the setting. For educational settings outside of the UK Graysen offers online and face-to-face bookings.
For non-school based settings, Graysen currently offers training packages on ‘LGBTQIA+ Allyship’, as well as a broader package on ‘Intersectionality and Inclusivity’, both of which can be adapted for any audience, whether that is NHS staff, corporate colleagues, or the charity sector (not an exhaustive list).
If your setting desires or requires a bespoke training package, for which you would like to blend elements of existing packages, or add aspects not included in existing packages, this is achievable. Graysen will discuss with you the work necessary to achieve this goal and how much to expect to be charged for such a package.
Fees:
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour with Graysen, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted). If you wish to work with Graysen and a second provider additionally, this will be charged separately.
If you are a charitable organisation and you would like to discuss the prices, Graysen will gladly compromise depending on the income of the charity.
Graysen holds professional indemnity and public liability insurance through Hiscox Insurance Company Ltd. – renewal midnight, 01/02/2025
Intersectionality and inclusivity training
Graysen Whittaker (he/they) offers training both online and face-to-face, covering topics relating to intersectionality and inclusivity.
Graysen is a a neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ person, and has professional experience as an Equality Diversity and Inclusion professional, spanning six years of employment in EDI settings, and is offering training on LGBTQIA+ topics, and intersectionality and inclusivity more broadly.
Training sessions suit a minimum of one-to-two hours, and Graysen can accommodate half and full day delivery depending on your training needs.
Attendees: There are no limits as to the number who can attend trainings with Graysen. For schools and colleges in the UK, Graysen prioritises face-to-face bookings due to the nature of the setting. For educational settings outside of the UK Graysen offers online and face-to-face bookings.
For non-school based settings, Graysen currently offers training packages on ‘LGBTQIA+ Allyship’, as well as a broader package on ‘Intersectionality and Inclusivity’, both of which can be adapted for any audience, whether that is NHS staff, corporate colleagues, or the charity sector (not an exhaustive list).
If your setting desires or requires a bespoke training package, for which you would like to blend elements of existing packages, or add aspects not included in existing packages, this is achievable. Graysen will discuss with you the work necessary to achieve this goal and how much to expect to be charged for such a package.
Fees:
In-person training: Training sessions are £160 per hour with Graysen, plus travel for in-person training (plus food if whole day/s wanted). If you wish to work with Graysen and a second provider additionally, this will be charged separately.
If you are a charitable organisation and you would like to discuss the prices, Graysen will gladly compromise depending on the income of the charity.
Graysen holds professional indemnity and public liability insurance through Hiscox Insurance Company Ltd. – renewal midnight, 01/02/2025