Training
Specialist, autistic-led training and consultancy to increase your understanding of autism and support you to develop autism-inclusive practices.
All SWAN training is designed and delivered by autistic professionals and informed by over 10 years' experience of working with autistic women, girls and non-binary people across Scotland.
“I learned more in an hour than I think I have on any other autism courses” - NHS Clinician
We aim to inform, help challenge myths and misunderstandings, and work with you to improve support and service provision, making them more inclusive and accessible for autistic women, girls and non-binary people.
SWAN training will leave you with:
- A better understanding of the experiences of autistic women, girls and non-binary people
- More confidence in supporting and being an ally to autistic women, girls and non-binary people
- Knowledge about creating more inclusive services and environments for autistic women, girls and non-binary people
We run online training sessions throughout the year which individuals can book to attend - see 'Upcoming Training Dates' for details.
We also offer bespoke in-house training, information sessions and consultancy to suit your organisation’s needs.
In 2022, we delivered training and information sessions to over 100 different organisations and over 2600 individuals across NHS and Local Authority health and social care services, primary, secondary and further education, private sector employers and third sector services.
Sign up to our Mailing List to hear about upcoming training or contact us to discuss your training needs.
Training Calendar
Dates for our 2024 training calendar can be found below.
Further information on content and booking details will be published soon - please sign up to our mailing list for updates.
SWAN training is available for anyone who wishes to learn more about autistic people, whether as a professional or an ally (families, friends, carers, colleagues and supporters). Information and approaches can be different depending on the context however - for example mental health support in a clinical setting will look different to mental health support for families and friends
To help choose the most suitable training for your needs, our training is categorised as Professional Development Training or Allies Training. In some cases we will run more than one session, or run sessions for mixed audiences.
For autistic women and non-binary people looking to develop understanding of their own identity and experiences, rather than in a professional context, visit our Services and Events page for our free Wellbeing Webinars and Post-Diagnostic Support course which cover similar topics, along with other free groups and services.
These training sessions can also be delivered in-house and tailored to the specific needs of your team.
- Eating Disorders & Autism
Date: Tuesday 11th June 9:30-12:00
Who should attend?: Professional Development Training (see 9th October listing for Allies Training)
This training will take a neurodivergent affirming approach to understanding how eating disorders can develop and affect autistic individuals, as well as considering some of the barriers and enablers to accessing support, services and recovery. The session will draw on the voices, knowledge and experiences of the autistic community and current evidence and research.
Cost: £50 - £75
- Increasing Understanding of Autism
Date: Thursday 5th September 10:00-12:30
Who should attend?: Mixed Audience - Professionals & Allies
This training is open to anyone looking to increase foundational knowledge and understanding of supporting autistic women, girls and non-binary people from a lived experience perspective.
Cost: £50 - £75
- Building Connections - Empathy and Communication
This professional development training session takes an in-depth look at autistic communication and connection, exploring the different ways that we authentically connect both within the autistic community and between different neurotypes.
The session will reflect on the impact of trauma and stigma when differences in communication and empathy are misunderstood, as well as neuro-affirming practices for developing safe and authentic connections.
Date: Tuesday 24th September 9:30-12:00
Who should attend?: Professional Development Training
Cost: £50 - £75
- Eating Disorders & Autism
Date: Wednesday 9th October 18:00-20:30
Who should attend?: Allies Training (see 11th June for Professional Development Training)
This training is aimed at friends, families, carers, colleagues and supporters of autistic people with eating disorders and will build your understanding of the intersection between autism and eating. The session will explore the different challenges and trajectories experienced by autistic people in relation to food and eating and what can lead to the development and maintenance of an eating disorder and what can support recovery.
Cost: £50 - £75
- Understanding & Supporting Autistic Wellbeing
Date: Tuesday 19th November 10:00-12:30
Who should attend?: Mixed Audience - Professionals & Allies
Built on the voices, experiences and learning of autistic women, girls and non-binary people across Scotland, as well as current evidence and research, this training will support practitioners to explore autistic identity and wellbeing. Attendees can expect to develop a greater understanding of autistic women and non-binary people in general, factors that impact well-being as well as neuro-informed practices and supports that can protect and promote autistic wellbeing.
Cost: £50 - £75
- Autistic Experiences of Pregnancy, Childbirth & Early Parenting
Date: Next date TBC
Who should attend?: Professional Development Training
What will the training cover?
Participants can expect to gain a greater understanding of autistic women in general and some of the challenges and barriers autistic women face in the perinatal period. Each session will provide more information about how to work therapeutically in a neuro-affirming way with autistic women during the different stages of pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting.
- Supporting Autistic Wellbeing at Work
Date: Next date TBC
Who should attend?: Professional Development Training
This training provides an in-depth look at autistic wellbeing at work. We will consider principles and practices to help you create working environments that proactively embed neuro-inclusivity and better support for autistic employees, resulting in improved wellbeing, higher job retention, and increased opportunities for career development and productivity.
Cost: £60 - £90
In-House Training
Our in-house training, presentations and consultancy work can be tailored to suit the needs of your organisation - our clients tell us this is one of the key benefits of working with SWAN, alongside our lived-experience trainers.
- How long does a training session last?
This is a broad and complex topic, so we recommend a 2-3 hour session to cover everything in enough detail to be of value. Shorter sessions can be accommodated but there will be less time for valuable discussions and exploration.
Training sessions can be standalone or run over more than one session depending on your needs - this could include an introductory session, followed by a specialist session tailored to your service, or a follow-up to build on identification and implementation of inclusive practices and environments.
- How is the training delivered?
Online
We predominantly use Zoom but can accommodate other platforms, and we prefer all participants to join from individual devices where possible. We build in breaks, offer Closed Captions and text chat and will work with you to ensure our training is accessible to your needs. We always encourage questions and discussion.
In Person
We are delivering most of our training online at the moment as it is inclusive for our autistic trainers and means we can reach any geographic area, but we can offer in-person training depending on location.
- How much does it cost?
We charge on a sliding scale for in-house training depending on the size of your organisation and how much you would like us to tailor the content to your specific needs - please contact us to discuss.
Costs for our open training sessions can be found in the 'Upcoming Training' section.
Increasing understanding and inclusion of autistic women and girls is very important to us so we will always do our best to accommodate the budgets of small organisations.
The cost of your training provides employment for autistic trainers and supports SWAN’s work with autistic women, girls and non-binary people.
- How can I book?
Contact us for more information or to discuss your training needs: training@swanscotland.org
About SWAN training
Delivered by autistic professionals & informed by lived experience
SWAN training is delivered by autistic professionals, and informed by academic and community research and over 10 years' experience of working with autistic women, girls and non-binary people across Scotland. In addition to our professional expertise, we develop our training in consultation with our network of over 1000 autistic women and non-binary people so all of our training includes direct input and examples of lived experience relevant to the topics covered.
All SWAN training starts with an introduction to autism and autism inclusion, with a focus on the lived experiences of autistic women, girls and non-binary people.
We also deliver specialist Professional Development Training focused on understanding and inclusion in specific contexts. Topics we cover regularly include:
Supporting Autistic Wellbeing, Inclusive Workplaces, Autistic Girls at School, Autism and Eating Disorders, Autistic Experiences of Pregnancy, Childbirth & Early Parenting, Inclusive Universities, Inclusive Healthcare Settings and Autism-Inclusive Support Work.
Whilst our training focuses on autistic women, girls and non-binary people, much of what you will learn is relevant for all autistic people, as well as many other neurodivergent people.
We run open online training on specific topics throughout the year which individuals book to attend. Details can be found in the 'Upcoming Training' section.
All of our training sessions can also be delivered in-house for your organisation - see 'In-House Training' for more information.
This training needs to be rolled out nationally. The expertise of the team is vast
Most educational and enlightening thing I have been to all year - cannot tell you how helpful it was
It's brilliant to have authentic training from an autistic person, all the examples make it much more real and accessible.
So much to take away and think about. Having this information will make a difference to the way we work.
So much more positive and strengths based. It made autism real and day to day. Coming from an autistic person made it invaluable and authentic.
I really wish I had heard your workshop so much earlier in my career. It would have helped a great many people I have worked with, so insightful.