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Understanding You, Discovering You

Understanding You, Discovering You

Peer support course for autistic young people aged 16-25

Do you have an autism diagnosis and aged between 16-25?

Would you like to know more about autism and where to find support?

Do you want to understand your own autistic identity in a supportive space with other young people?

 

Ambitious about Autism’s Youth Network and professionals have co-designed a new six-week online course to help you understand autism, explore your autistic identity, develop goals, and equip you with resources, in a guided peer support group. 

You will take part in online sessions with a small group of other autistic young people, led by ​​​​Ambitious about Autism staff.

About the course

Together in a group, we will explore: 

  • what autism is and the key terminology 
  • experiences  of being autistic 
  • how to explain autism to other people  
  • identifying your social needs 
  • where to find support and services 
  • problem solving and goal setting. 

We will do this with a flexible and accessible approach, which could include: 

  • informal group discussions 
  • interactive activities during and in-between sessions 
  • signposting to resources  
  • social time to get to know each other.

You can take part in the online sessions in whatever way is most comfortable for you, for example, by switching your video or audio on or off or using the chat function to communicate.  

You must say yes to the following statements to take part:

  • be aged 16-25 
  • have an autism diagnosis  
  • be a UK resident
  • be able to read and speak English and to engage with the course 
  • be able to give informed consent 
  • have access to a computer or tablet with an internet connection and with Zoom installed to access the online course and engage with the interactive activities.

 

Participation is free of charge.

 

Upcoming course dates

Autism Transition to Adulthood Group study

The online course is currently paused for applications whilst a research study takes place. We are running the first part of a study to find out if Understanding You, Discovering You might be effective for autistic young people. The study is called The Autism Transition to Adulthood Group (ATAG) study.

We are now only accepting applications for the ATAG study from young people aged 16 and 17. If you are aged 18 to 25, please sign up for the summer courses.

If you are interested in taking part in the study, we are looking for 70 volunteers to take part*. If you would like more information, please complete the sign-up form and tick "ATAG study" or email atag@bath.ac.uk

 

Understanding You, Discovering You course

If you are interested in taking part in the Understanding You, Discovering You courses, these will resume in early Summer 2024. To express interest, please complete the sign-up form and tick "Understanding You, Discovering You course from Summer 2024".

For any questions, please email the programme team. ​​ 

 

*Participants will be selected at random and will either receive the new peer-group online course, or receive the usual care offered to autistic young people in their area. People offered usual care can access the peer-group online course after they have finished taking part in the study, which will mean waiting six months to attend the group. Having usual care is an important part of the research process, which could eventually mean we find out if the groups are effective at improving wellbeing of autistic young people.

Sign up for more information

To express interest in the course, please fill in the below form. We will check you are eligible to take part and be in contact with full details.  


Participant's under 18 years