Introduction to autism – a course for parents, families and carers

Help Us Keep This Course Free for Everyone

We offer this course at no cost because we believe basic autism understanding should be accessible to all.

If you’re able, a £10 contribution helps us continue offering free resources to families at the start of their journey—while our advanced courses help fund this work. Thank you for your support.

“I learned things about my behaviour and now know more than I ever thought I did. It helped me see for the first time from my children’s side and explained behaviours in a different way to me. Thank you.”

Trainee feedback

Why this course?

Receiving a diagnosis of autism for a child, sibling or family member can be a confusing time. You may be seeking more information about what this means for the individual and their future. Or you may simply want to know how you can help.

This free course is designed to introduce what autism is, and provide information on key topics.

What will you learn and is this course right for you?
This introductory course guides you through the full autism journey—from diagnosis, through transitions, and onto adulthood. Designed specifically for parents, families, and carers of autistic people, it covers essential topics such as communication, sensory needs, and behaviour, while also signposting you to valuable support networks.

With a completion time of approximately 2–4 hours, this course offers practical, useful insights into what autism means for individuals and their future. If you already have a general understanding of autism, we invite you to explore our in-depth course for professionals which delves further into these topics.

Have questions? We’re here to help you make informed choices for supporting your loved ones.