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Communication and interaction training courses

Supporting Autistic Learners- CPD Event

Delivered by:

Learning Support Service - Autism and Social Communication Team

Session content:

This is an exciting opportunity to develop knowledge, strengthen practice, and improve outcomes for autistic learners.

What can you expect?

This is an opportunity to:

  • Collaborate with specialist teachers and teaching assistants
  • Learn from colleagues and share effective practice
  • Network with schools working within the same phase
  • Explore useful resources and strategies
  • Gain a refreshed approach to supporting autistic children and young people

This event is aimed at:

  • Class teachers
  • SENCOs
  • Teaching assistants
  • Wider support staff

We are particularly keen to welcome Early Career Teachers (ECTs).

Duration:

  • 3 hours – Primary and Secondary
  • 3 hours 30 minutes – Early Years

Venue, date and time:

Worsley Court House, Barton Road, Worsley, M28 2PB

Tuesday 13th October 2026

  • 9am to 12pm - Primary Schools
  • 1pm to 4pm - Secondary Schools

Tuesday 20th October 2026

  • 9am to 12.30pm - Early Years

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information: 

Please go to Learning Support Service webinars to book your place.

Please note that booking will close five days prior to the event!


Neurodiversity Affirming Play

Delivered by:

Learning Support Service - Autism and Social Communication Team

Session content:

This training explores the importance of play through a neurodiversity-affirming lens, recognising and valuing the different ways children play, communicate and interact. Designed for professionals who work with primary-aged pupils, the training will promote approaches that recognises individuals' strengths and interests. 

The training will cover:

  • Autistic joy
  • Supporting joint play
  • Interest based learning
  • Play Schemes
  • Multi-Sensory Play
  • Neurodiversity Affirming Goals

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Delivered in-house  - contact team to agree date

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

For more information please email adminlss@salford.gov.uk or contact your ASC Team Link Teacher.


Using Visuals Effectively in the Classroom

Delivered by:

Learning Support Service - Autism and Social Communication Team

Session content:

Primary:

This training explores how visual support can be used to improve communication, increase engagement, reduce anxiety, and promote independence for primary aged pupils. Designed for professionals working in primary schools, the session focuses on practical strategies that can be embedded into everyday classroom practice.

The training will cover:

  • Using visual timetables and routines to provide structure and support transitions
  • Developing visual communication to improve understanding and promote independence
  • Using visuals to enhance learning activities, supporting attention, organisation, and engagement
  • Supporting emotional regulation through visual tools and strategies

Participants will develop an understanding of how to use a range of visual supports effectively within the classroom and explore practical approaches that can be adapted to meet the needs of all learners. While particularly beneficial for autistic pupils and those with SEND, the strategies shared promote inclusive practice and support positive outcomes across the whole class.

Secondary:

This practical training explores how visual supports can be used to improve communication, increase engagement, reduce anxiety, and promote independence for secondary-aged pupils. Designed for professionals working in secondary schools, the session focuses on practical strategies that can be embedded across lessons and the wider school environment.

The training will cover:

  • Using visual timetables, routines and schedules to support organisations, transitions and predictability.
  • Developing visual communication to improve understanding, reduce reliance on verbal instructions and promote independence.
  • Using visuals to enhance learning, support attention, organisation, task completion and executive functioning.
  • Supporting emotional regulation through visual tools and strategies.

Participants will develop an understanding of how to use a range of visual supports effectively within secondary settings and explore practical approaches that can be adapted to meet the needs of all learners. While particularly beneficial for Autistic pupils and those with SEND, the strategies shared promote inclusive practice and support engagement, independence, and positive outcomes across the school environment.

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Delivered in-house  - contact team to agree date

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

For more information please email adminlss@salford.gov.uk or contact your ASC Team Link Teacher.


Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations 

Delivered by:

Learning Support Service - Autism and Social Communication Team

Session content:

This is a practical workshop looking at various examples of social stories and comic strip conversations. Participants will find out what makes a purposeful social story and will have the opportunity to write their own social stories with support and guidance from a specialist teacher. How and when to use comic strip conversations will be explored, thinking particularly about the effectiveness and impact of using this approach. Participants will get the opportunity to create their own comic strip conversations. 

Both approaches will be discussed using a neurodiversity affirming lens, recognising and valuing the experiences of neurodivergent individuals. 

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Delivered in-house  - contact team to agree date

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

For more information please email adminlss@salford.gov.uk or contact your ASC Team Link Teacher.


Connection over Compliance: Understanding Demand Distress and Supporting Autistic Learners through Collaboration 

Delivered by:

Learning Support Service - Autism and Social Communication Team

Session content:

This training explores factors that may influence demand-based distress in autistic children and young people through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. 

It is suitable for teaching and support staff who want to foster positive relationships, meaningful engagement and inclusive practice.

In this session, we will consider what young people may be experiencing, and how anxiety, stress, sensory differences, uncertainty and a need for autonomy may influence a young person’s ability to engage with demands in school.

We will explore practical ways to build trust, reduce distress, and support engagement through collaboration rather than compliance. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of the factors that can contribute to demand-based distress. You will leave with strategies to create environments where autistic learners feel safe, understood, and empowered to succeed.

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Delivered in-house  - contact team to agree date

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

For more information please email adminlss@salford.gov.uk or contact your ASC Team Link Teacher.


Shared Experiences: Developing Attention, Engagement and Communication 

Delivered by:

Learning Support Service - Autism and Social Communication Team

Session content:

Shared Experiences is an approach used to build attention and foster early communication skills for autistic children and young people with social communication differences. It aims to develop natural and spontaneous communication through the use of visually based and highly motivating activities. 

Through four stages, the early fundamentals of language including awareness of others, attention, listening, shared attention, switching attention and turn-taking are developed.

Following completion of the initial training, a member of the LSS ASC Team will offer further implementation support. This support will include helping schools identify appropriate pupil groups, support with selecting a suitable environment for session delivery, and modelling up to four sessions with the identified pupils.

Duration:

One hour

Venue, date and time:

Delivered in-house - contact team to agree date

Cost:

Free

Joining and booking information:

For more information please email adminlss@salford.gov.uk or contact your ASC Team Link Teacher.

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