Feel empowered to support your disabled child or family member
Since 2020, we have been running workshops around topics of interest to the families we support.
These are topics related to disability, such as dealing with challenging behaviour, ADHD, Sleep, sensory play, etc or from time to time we run workshops that are just for fun.
Please take a look below to see our upcoming events!
NEW: Emotional Regulation & Neurodivergence
This interactive workshop is aimed at parents/carers of neurodivergent children aged between 5-11. It is most suitable for children who have spoken language or have an established communication system. A formal diagnosis is NOT required to attend. The workshop will cover:
- What is emotional regulation, and why does it matter?
- Why emotional regulation can be more challenging for neurodivergent children
- Elements of emotional experience
- The Window of Tolerance
- Strategies to support emotional regulation
- The Meltdown Mountain / Arousal Theory
- Supporting your child after school
- Exploring helpful resources
- Where to find further support
It is designed and delivered by Space 2 Be Me Family Support Officers who specialise in supporting parents and carers of children with additional needs including autism, ADHD, and PDA.
When: Friday 6th February, 10:45 – 13:00
Where: Paddock Wood Community Centre, Maidstone Road, TN12 6EB
Cost: £12.50 per ticket
Additional information: Paddock Wood Community Centre is accessible via public transport, with ample free parking. This modern building is fully accessible with an onsite coffee shop.
For further information, please see our booking page.
Understanding Autism – A Focus on Diagnostic Criteria
This lecture-style event is aimed at parents/carers who have a child on the autism pathway or are considering autism diagnosis. Parents/carers who have a diagnosed child are welcome – if you are just starting learn about autism the content will be relevant. We aim to keep the session relaxed, accessible, and grounded in real-life examples. The event will cover:
- What is autism?
- The diagnostic criteria:
- Social communication differences
- Repetitive movements or vocalisations
- Special interests
- Rigid/inflexible thinking
- Sensory processing differences
- The autistic spectrum
- An overview of the diagnostic process
- Practical support strategies embedded throughout
- Where to go for further help
It is designed and delivered by Space 2 Be Me Family Support Officers who specialise in supporting parents and carers of children with additional needs including autism, ADHD, and PDA.
Join our waiting list to be notified of new dates for this course
Understanding Autism – An Introductory Session for Parents and Carers
This event is aimed at parents/carers who have a child on the autism pathway or a recent autism diagnosis. The event will cover:
- What is autism?
- The diagnostic criteria
- Social communication differences
- Repetitive movements and/or vocalisations
- Special Interests
- Rigid/Inflexible thinking
- Sensory processing differences
- The autistic spectrum
- Female underdiagnosis
- Masking
- Co-occurring conditions
- Dual diagnosis with ADHD
- A brief overview of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
- Practical support suggestions embedded throughout
- Where to go for further help
It is designed and delivered by Space 2 Be Me Family Support Officers who specialise in supporting parents and carers of children with additional needs including autism, ADHD, and PDA.
“I found it useful and I really appreciated the signposting to more support….I had no idea about a lot of it. Also I came primarily for the ASC info. But the ADHD really useful as my other son shows a lot of these traits.” Parent, November 2024
“Clear and easy to follow course, informative.“ Parent, November 2024
Join our waiting list to be notified of new dates for this course
Understanding Autism – For Extended Family Members
This informative event is designed to help grandparents, uncles, aunts, and other extended family members better understand the autistic young people in their lives, who they care for and support.
We know families come in all shapes and sizes – whether bonded by love, friendship or shared experience, we warmly welcome extended and blended family members, close friends and chosen family.
It is written and delivered by our Family Support Officers who have supported hundreds of families and is approached from a place of lived experience.
Whether you’re a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or cousin, this event will provide you with valuable insights and resources to support your family. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with others who share similar experiences.
It helped me understand “child’s perception of the world” Grandparent, January 2024
“Very comprehensive, well paced and informative” Grandparent, January 2024
This course will be repeated later in 2025 – if you would like to be notified please join our wait list
The Cygnet programme
The core Cygnet programme is designed for parents and carers of children and young people aged 5-18 with an autistic spectrum condition.
The programme is designed to:
- increase parents understanding of autistic spectrum conditions
- help parents develop their knowledge on how a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world and what drives their behaviour
- guide parents through practical strategies they can use with children
- direct parents to relevant ASC resources
- give parents the opportunity to meet with other parents who have had similar experiences and to gain support and learn from each other
It’s delivered over six, two and a half – three hour sessions followed by a seventh sessions a few weeks after the end of the course. This can can be delivered virtually too.
We also deliver Cygnet Sibling and Puberty modules which are follow in courses from the core parenting programme above.
Contact
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept new referrals for the Cygnet programme at this time. You can find local programme providers via the Barnardo’s website
Space 2 Be Me 