Who are the sessions aimed at?

Funded by Hampshire County Council, these sessions are for autistic adult residents within Hampshire County Council boundaries who wish to gain more insight into what makes them different and why.

What are the aims of the workshops?

The aim of these workshops is to support participants towards understanding and accepting who they really are rather than teaching them to ‘mask’ or ‘pass for normal’.

How will the sessions be structured?

There are two hours allocated for each session, but each person can decide how long they wish to stay.

There will be a 15-minute break in the middle of the session. Should anyone one need to take a break at any other time they are, of course, free to do so.

For the comfort of all, each group will be have up to 30 participants.

When and how often how often will sessions take place?

The course is made up of six sessions which will take place online weekly, and the dates are given below.

• Thursday 25th July 2024 - 6pm to 8pm
• Thursday 1st August 2024 - 6pm to 8pm
• Thursday 8th August 2024 - 6pm to 8pm
• Thursday 15th August 2024 - 6pm to 8pm
• Thursday 22nd August 2024 - 6pm to 8pm
• Thursday 29th August 2024 - 6pm to 8pm

Workshop 1 - Introduction

This session will set the context for the other workshops and explore:

Competing definitions of what it is to be autistic.

The diversity of the autistic population.

Workshop 2 - Thinking

This session will explore:

Differences in the way we think and process the world.

Accommodating such differences

Workshop 3 - Communication

This session will explore:

How autistic children might acquire language and move on to develop distinctive styles of communication.

Ways of enabling better communication between us and non autistic people.

Workshop 4 - Social Interaction

This session will explore:

Distinctly autistic ways of being social.

Strategies for avoiding social burnout.

Workshop 5 - Sensory Perception

This session will explore:

How reactions to everyday stimuli may give clues as to our unique sensory profiles.

Ways to stimulate or calm our senses.

Workshop 6 - Reasonable Adjustments

This session will explore:

Legislation and guidance concerning equality and discrimination.

How such legislation and guidance applies to us.

What should I expect?

Each session will include opportunities for participants to ask questions, share experiences and offer advice.