Autistic-led Learning

Autistic-led education

We want to change the frame through which society views Autism. The frame through which we choose to see Autism is the neurodiversity paradigm, which means that we see Autism as a valuable, worthy and naturally occurring brain difference. 

All of our learning offerings are delivered online and these include workshops, masterclasses, professional development, facilitated courses, self-study courses, conferences and symposia. Some of our offerings are on-demand while others have a live element with an associated replay.

Here are some of the methods of learning that Reframing Autism offers a range of events, which include:

  • Courses
  • Continuing Professional Development
  • On-Demand Introductory Workshops
  • Masterclasses
  • Community Workshops
  • Mentoring Groups
  • Symposia

Our event categories are divided according to the type of participation involved. For example, on-demand workshops and courses can be undertaken at any time and at any pace, whereas community workshops and mentoring groups occur at a set time and date. Some of our learning options are also geared towards professionals (for example, Continuing Professional Development), whereas others are more general. For more information, see below.

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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FREE Self-Study Course: Autism Essentials

Autism Essentials is a free, self-paced course that provides an overview of Autism in a neuro-affirming way. Whether you are Autistic, a family member or loved one, a teacher, professional or an ally, we encourage you to enrol and learn about Autism from Autistic people.

The course has been designed for a wide variety of learners with different levels of pre-existing knowledge about Autism – from those that are totally new to the topic to those that have formal education in Autism. In this course, you will learn about:

  • Language
  • What Is Autism?
  • Brain Differences
  • Communication and Socialising
  • Thinking and Processing
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Classes, workshops & events

Reframing Autism runs a range of events for different audiences, including Autistic adults, parents of Autistic children, and professionals working with Autistic individuals and their families.

We believe that members of the Autistic community and its supporters should have access to our learning material and events. If you wish to access an event but are experiencing financial hardship, please feel welcome to email us at learning@reframingautism.org.au so that we can assist you.

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On Demand Learning

Reframing Autism is proud to offer a number of on-demand learning options, which can be taken at your own pace via self-study. Our on-demand learning options currently include professional development certificates and online workshops.

To be notified of updates about on-demand learning when they occur, please sign up here.

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Professional Short Courses

Professional Short Courses are short, structured courses around a specific topic, designed for professionals to enhance their expertise, extend their knowledge and advance their employment prospects in their existing field of work, with an Autistic-focused lens.

In 2022, Reframing Autism ran stand-alone short courses, adapted from modules within our flagship courses in Autistic Wellbeing. These short courses run for 3 weeks, on topics of specific interest to professionals across disciplines working with Autistic people, including Autistic communication, and Autistic emotions and behaviours.

Whilst we have not yet finalised any short courses for 2023, to be notified of updates about professional short courses when they occur, please sign up below.

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Symposia

Each year, Reframing Autism brings together a panel of experts in their field to discuss, in depth, a topic designed to broaden attendees understanding of Autism and neurodiversity at large. By investing
in building our networks and our capacity to gently influence the discussion, we can make an even more positive impact on the lives of Autistic people, their families, and on society.

Our recent symposia have included:

  • Innovations in Autism Education: Neuroinclusive, neuroaffirming schooling (2023)
  • Autistic Relationships: Communication, community, connection (2022)
  • Autistic Flourishing: Acceptance, authenticity, autonomy (2021)
  • Intersectional Identities: Autism, gender, sexuality (2021)
Reframing Autism Parent Mentoring Groups

Parent Mentoring Groups

Reframing Autism’s Parent Mentoring Groups are an opportunity to gather with a small group of fellow parents to share your experiences of parenting your Autistic child. Led by facilitators who are Autistic parents themselves, we welcome both Autistic and non-autistic parents of Autistic children up to the age of 12 years.

We meet via Zoom. In addition to our Zoom sessions, which generally will each run for 60-90 minutes, we will provide you with resources and prompts to support your reflections around the themes that guide our discussions. Stay tuned to our events page for any upcoming Parent Mentoring Groups.

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Autistic Wellbeing Courses

In 2021 and 2022, Reframing Autism was proud to develop and offer a suite of Autistic Wellbeing courses, tailored for three primary audiences: Autistic adults, parents of Autistics, and professionals working with Autistics.

Our Autistic Wellbeing courses are not running in 2023, as we consider how we can make these learning opportunities more sustainable and accessible to a larger number of people.

We don’t yet know whether this will mean that the courses will return in a new format in 2024, or if we will offer something else in the future which will allow us to provide peer learning opportunities to more people who are seeking them.

Right now, in 2023, we are focusing on creating more one-off workshops and events which can offer the opportunity to learn with us to more people, and so that we can cover some of the areas and issues our communities have expressed interest in learning about.

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Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

The Reframing Autism team would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we have the privilege to learn, work, and grow. Whilst we gather on many different parts of this Country, the RA team walk on the land of the Birpai, Awabakal, Wattamattagal, Whadjak, Amangu, Bunurong and Kaurna Yarta peoples.

We are committed to honouring the rich culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this Country, and the diversity and learning opportunities with which they provide us. We extend our gratitude and respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to all Elders past, present, and emerging, for their wisdom, their resilience, and for helping this Country to heal.

Join us on the journey to reframe how society understands Autism