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
Training & Workshops Calendar
We run online Training sessions and Workshops throughout the year which individuals can book to attend.
Training is focused on professional contexts and Workshops are suitable for anyone to attend.
SWAN Training - for Professionals
See the Training Calendar section below for training details and dates.
- SWAN Training is aimed at professionals from any sector wishing to develop their knowledge and practice for working with or supporting autistic people.
- These training sessions are focused on professional support and service delivery in clinical settings, workplaces, education, public spaces, etc.
- In addition to the training calendar, we also offer bespoke in-house training, information sessions and consultancy on these and other topics, tailored to suit your organisation’s needs - see the 'In-House Training' section below or contact us for more information.
SWAN Workshops - for Allies
See the Workshops Calendar section below for workshop details and dates.
- SWAN Workshops are for anyone who wishes to learn more about autistic people, whether as an ally (families, friends, carers, colleagues and supporters) or a professional.
- Whilst suitable for anyone, workshops are focused on everyday experiences rather than professional contexts.
- The sliding scale for our workshops is more accessible for friends and families, and sessions are run in the evening or at lunchtime, to include those who are attending around work or other commitments.
While we run parallel sessions on some topics, the content is distinct, and our Training & Workshop structure is designed to make it easier to decide which session will best meet your needs.
For example our ‘Autism and Eating Disorders Training for Professionals’ focuses on neuro-inclusive professional support in clinical settings, while our ‘Autism and Eating Disorders Workshop for Allies’ focuses on general understanding, and supporting someone with an eating disorder who you live with, work with or care for/about.
For autistic women and non-binary people looking to develop their 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.
Download our 2025 Training & Workshops calendar, visit our Eventbrite page or see the 'Training Calendar' or 'Workshops Calendar' sections below for full details.
Last year 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
SWAN Training is aimed at professionals from any sector wishing to develop their knowledge and practice for working with or supporting autistic people.
These training sessions are focused on professional support and service delivery in clinical settings, workplaces, education, public spaces, etc.
These training sessions can also be delivered in-house and tailored to the specific needs of your team.
Further information on content and booking details will be published soon - please sign up to our mailing list for updates.
- Beyond Reasonable Adjustments - Inclusion and Wellbeing for Diverse Teams
Date: Thursday 6th March 12:00 - 15:00
Who should attend?: Professional Development Training
Evidence clearly shows us that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from a wider pool of skills and abilities, thus raising levels of productivity, creativity and innovation. This training provides an in-depth look at neurodiversity, inclusion and 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 in particular, resulting in improved wellbeing, higher job retention, and increased opportunities for career development and productivity.
Cost: £60 - £75
Further Information and Booking
- Autistic Experiences of Pregnancy, Childbirth & Early Parenting (Half Day Course)
Date: Monday 19th May 13:00-16:00
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. The 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.
Cost: £60 - £75
Further Information and Booking
- Understanding and Developing Neuro-inclusive Events and Activities
Date: Monday 11th August 2025 13:00 - 15:30
Who should attend?: Professional Development Training
Building on a foundational understanding of what it means to be neurodivergent and, in particular autistic, participants can expect to explore how neurodiversity relates to inclusive event planning and service delivery.
Cost: £60 - £75
- Autism and Eating Disorders - Neuroaffirming Practice
Date: Friday 12th September 11:00-14:00
Who should attend?: Professional Development Training.
This autistic-led session will draw on the voices, knowledge and experiences of the autistic community and take a neurodivergent affirming approach to understanding how eating disorders may uniquely develop and affect the lives of autistic and neurodivergent people.
Participants can expect to gain a deeper understanding the challenges faced in seeking and providing treatment.
During the session, we will consider recovery based on neuroaffirming principle, clinical practice, treatment adaptations and support strategies.
Cost: £60 - £75
- Autism, Mental Health and Neuroaffirming Wellbeing
Date: Tuesday 18th November 13:00-16:00
Who should attend?: Professional Development Training
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. This interactive session will discuss key thinking around the current prevalence of mental health crises within the autistic community. Building on this knowledge to develop informed strategic and practical approaches for working with autistic people who will present and experience both general wellbeing and mental health crises differently. 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 and safety.
Cost: £60 - £75
Workshops Calendar
SWAN Workshops are for anyone who wishes to learn more about autistic people, whether as an ally (families, friends, carers, colleagues and supporters) or a professional.
Whilst suitable for anyone, workshops are focused on everyday experiences rather than professional contexts.
- Growing Up Autistic - Identity, puberty and making sense of emotions
Date: Tuesday 25th February 18:30-20:30
Who should attend?: SWAN Workshops are for anyone who wishes to learn more about the everyday experiences autistic people, whether as an ally (families, friends, carers, colleagues and supporters) or a professional.
What will the workshop cover?
Body changes, hormones, and sensory profiles can make going through puberty a really difficult time for autistic girls. How do we make sense of who we are when we often feel so different to everyone around us; the constant striving to meet neuronormative standards often leaves us feeling wrong, broken or like an alien. This session will cover our different experiences of puberty and growing up. Both how autistic people experience and express our emotions, sensory world and relationships but also the role that the environments and people around us play in shaping a positive autistic identity.
Cost: £10 - £75
Further information and booking
- Increasing Understanding of Autism
Date: Wednesday 30th April 19:00-21:00
Who should attend?: SWAN Workshops are for anyone who wishes to learn more about the everyday experiences autistic people, whether as an ally (families, friends, carers, colleagues and supporters) or a professional.
What will the workshop cover?
This autistic-led session is open to anyone looking to increase foundational knowledge and understanding of the everyday experiences of autistic women, girls and non-binary people and how best to support them.
Cost: £10 - £75
- Autism, Eating and Eating Disorders
Date: Wednesday 18th June 18:30 - 20:30
Who should attend?: SWAN Workshops are for anyone who wishes to learn more about the everyday experiences autistic people, whether as an ally (families, friends, carers, colleagues and supporters) or a professional.
This session will explore the intersection between autism and eating, exploring how our sensory needs, monotropism, energy levels, control and other autistic characteristics can shape our relationship with food.We will also consider the role of stigma, and the impact of how other people respond to our autistic identity and needs. Attendees can expect to discuss 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. With many autistic people identifying their eating disorder or disordered eating not fitting into to 'typical' patterns or therapies.
Cost: £10 - £75
- Growing Up Autistic - Identity, puberty and making sense of emotions
Date: Wednesday 16th July 19:00-21:00
Who should attend?: SWAN Workshops are for anyone who wishes to learn more about the everyday experiences autistic people, whether as an ally (families, friends, carers, colleagues and supporters) or a professional.
What will the workshop cover?
Body changes, hormones, and sensory profiles can make going through puberty a really difficult time for autistic girls. How do we make sense of who we are when we often feel so different to everyone around us; the constant striving to meet neuronormative standards often leaves us feeling wrong, broken or like an alien. This session will cover our different experiences of puberty and growing up. Both how autistic people experience and express our emotions, sensory world and relationships but also the role that the environments and people around us play in shaping a positive autistic identity.
Cost: £10 - £75
Further information and booking
- Understanding & Supporting Autistic Wellbeing
Date: Thursday 28th November 18:30 -20:30
Who should attend?: SWAN Workshops are for anyone who wishes to learn more about the everyday experiences autistic people, whether as an ally (families, friends, carers, colleagues and supporters) or a professional.
This session will give invaluable insights into common differences in the way autistic people experience and interact with the world around us along with how we are treated and responded that play a significant role in our sense of self, safety and wellbeing.
Attendees can expect to develop a greater understanding of wellbeing and barriers and enablers to day-to-day self care for autistic women and non-binary people in general. Discussing both the external and internal factors that impact on autistic well-being as well as consider elements to providing effective support and allyship.
Cost: £10 - £75
- Increasing Understanding of Autism
Date: Wednesday 22nd October 18:30-20:30
Who should attend?: SWAN Workshops are for anyone who wishes to learn more about the everyday experiences autistic people, whether as an ally (families, friends, carers, colleagues and supporters) or a professional.
What will the workshop cover?
This autistic-led session is open to anyone looking to increase foundational knowledge and understanding of the everyday experiences of autistic women, girls and non-binary people and how best to support them.
Cost: £10 - £75
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.