PAPAS
Parent Awareness Programme for Autism Spectrum
What is it?
PAPAS is a group for parents of children aged 3 to 16 years with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder which is run over 6 weekly sessions, each 2 hours in length. The group is run by Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy.
The group is for parents who would like to gain a greater understanding of how their child is experiencing the world.
Groups are organised around the age of the child, with parents of younger/older children grouped together and provides an opportunity to connect with other parents/carers who also have autistic children.
The group covers topics including adapting the sensory world, adjusting our communication and managing behaviour.
What does each session involve?
How will this help me?
Course Content
Session 1: What is autism?
This session gives an overview of autism and considers the differences in social communication, interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour in autistic children.
Session 2: Sensory issues and autism
This session considers how your autistic child may experience the sensory world. We discuss what we can do to support sensory sensitivities and how these experiences may vary for each child.
Session 3: Looking at the world from the perspective of an autistic child
During this session we consider the theories which help to explain how your child experiences the world including theory of mind, central coherence and executive functioning.
Session 4: Communication
This session considers communication differences in your autistic child. What can we do to support your child’s communication including introducing the use of visual supports and social stories.
Session 5: Understanding behaviour
This session focuses on understanding the reason why children behave in a certain way and allows us to consider different methods of recording behaviour.
Session 6: Supporting behaviour
This session focuses on ways to support behaviour and encourage our children to develop new skills.
