Training & Events

AAIS Post-Primary: - Tier 1 ASD Online Training for Post-Primary Professionals

AIMS:

- Develop knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of Autism

- Explore practical strategies to be implemented in the post primary environment to support a pupil with Autism

- Hear from a personal perspective the voice of our incredible students diagnosed with Autism

Course Details:

The link to access the course will be provided in the confirmation of registration email.

** Please ensure you have entered your email address correctly to receive the training details **

Course Duration:

1 Hour

Audience:

 Post Primary Teachers, Classroom Assistants and SENCos

** All participants should register individually even if the training is viewed within a group setting as this information is required for stats purposes  **

DENI Number

During the registration process you will be asked for your setting’s Department of Education Reference Number - this must be input accurately.

**If your setting is outside Northern Ireland please select ‘Outside Northern Ireland’ or if you are currently not attached to any school please select ‘Other’

AAIS Post-Primary: Tier 2 Module 1 Understanding Me (mainstream Post-Primary teachers and assistants)

AIMS:

- Build upon your knowledge and understanding, developed in Tier 1 training.

- Increase your knowledge, understanding and acceptance of autism from a neurodiverse perspective.

- Understand autism from the personal perspective of post-primary pupils.

- Understand the importance of a needs-led approach.

- Understand the importance of capitalising upon pupil strengths.

Course Details:

The link to access the course will be provided in the confirmation of registration email.

** Please ensure you have entered your email correctly to receive the training details **

Course Duration:

90 minutes per Module (6 hours in total)

Audience:

 Post Primary Teachers, Classroom Assistants and SENCos

** All participants should register individually even if the training is viewed within a group setting as this information is required for stats purposes  **

DENI Number

During the registration process you will be asked for your setting’s Department of Education Reference Number - this must be input accurately.

**If your setting is outside Northern Ireland please select ‘Outside Northern Ireland’ or if you are currently not attached to any school please select ‘Other’

AAIS Post-Primary: Tier 2 Module 2 Getting the Learning Environment Right (mainstream Post-Primary teachers and assistants)

AIMS:

- Build upon your knowledge and understanding, developed in Tier 1 training and in Module 1

- Review the Special Educational Needs Disability Act (SENDA) legislation and understand the importance of anticipatory measures and reasonable adjustments

- Develop a greater understanding of how the environment can impact on teaching and learning

- Develop a greater understanding of the importance of physical and visual structure to support learning.

Course Details:

The link to access the course will be provided in the confirmation of registration email.

** Please ensure you have entered your email correctly to receive the training details **

Course Duration:

90 minutes per Module (6 hours in total)

Audience:

Post Primary Teachers, Classroom Assistants and SENCos

** All participants should register individually even if the training is viewed within a group setting as this information is required for stats purposes  **

DENI Number

During the registration process you will be asked for your setting’s Department of Education Reference Number - this must be input accurately.

**If your setting is outside Northern Ireland please select ‘Outside Northern Ireland’ or if you are currently not attached to any school please select ‘Other’

 

AAIS Post-Primary: Tier 2 Module 3 Socially Speaking (mainstream Post-Primary teachers and assistants)

AIMS:

- Build upon your knowledge and understanding, developed in Tier 1 training and in Tier 2 Modules 1 and 2

- Take a closer look at the social challenges associated with autism - Investigate a range of visual, structured strategies which support social development

- Consider social clubs and social opportunities which you can set you in your own school

Course Details:

The link to access the course will be provided in the confirmation of registration email.

** Please ensure you have entered your email correctly to receive the training details **

Course Duration:

90 minutes per Module (6 hours in total)

Audience:

Post Primary Teachers, Classroom Assistants and SENCos

** All participants should register individually even if the training is viewed within a group setting as this information is required for stats purposes  **

DENI Number

During the registration process you will be asked for your setting’s Department of Education Reference Number - this must be input accurately.

**If your setting is outside Northern Ireland please select ‘Outside Northern Ireland’ or if you are currently not attached to any school please select ‘Other’

AAIS Post-Primary: Tier 2 Module 4 Emotionally Speaking (mainstream Post-Primary teachers and assistants)

AIMS:

- Build upon your knowledge and understanding, developed in Tier 1 training and in Tier 2 Modules 1, 2 and 3.

- Consider the importance of self-regulation, emotional understanding and the triggers that may attribute to dysregulation, particularly in autistic pupils.

- Learn more about Dan Siegel's concept of 'The Window of Tolerance'

- Learn more about Maja Toudal's 'Energy Accounting' strategy

- Learn more about Tony Attwood's 'Emotional Toolbox'

- Develop a greater understanding of the Emotional Regulation Curve and how you can help in this process.

Course Details:

The link to access the course will be provided in the confirmation of registration email.

** Please ensure you have entered your email correctly to receive the training details **

Course Duration:

90 minutes per Module (6 hours in total)

Audience:

Post Primary Teachers, Classroom Assistants and SENCos

** All participants should register individually even if the training is viewed within a group setting as this information is required for stats purposes  **

DENI Number

During the registration process you will be asked for your setting’s Department of Education Reference Number - this must be input accurately.

**If your setting is outside Northern Ireland please select ‘Outside Northern Ireland’ or if you are currently not attached to any school please select ‘Other’

AAIS Post-Primary: - Moving On up: Supporting the Year 8 Pupil with ASD with the transfer process to Post-Primary School

AIMS:

- Enhance knowledge and understanding of the challenges associated with transfer for pupils with Autism

- Provide a range of practical strategies to support the pupil with Autism in the transfer to post-primary

Course Details:

This course will be available to access online any time after registration.

** Please ensure you have entered your email correctly to receive the training details **

Course Duration:

40 minutes

Audience:

Post Primary Teachers, Classroom Assistants and SENCos

** All participants should register individually even if the training is viewed within a group setting as this information is required for stats purposes  **

DENI Number

During the registration process you will be asked for your setting’s Department of Education Reference Number - this must be input accurately.

**If your setting is outside Northern Ireland please select ‘Outside Northern Ireland’ or if you are currently not attached to any school please select ‘Other’

Autism Tier 1 Training for Early Years 2025/26

Objectives

To increase your understanding of autism and promote inclusion in early years settings

Date

Tuesday 25th November 2025 2.00pm - 3.00pm (including Q&A session) CLOSED

Tuesday 24th February 2026 2.00pm - 3.00pm (including Q&A session)

Tuesday 19th May 2026 2.00pm - 3.00pm (including Q&A session)

Number of attendees

30 maximum

Audience

Teachers, playgroup leaders, principals, SENCos, classroom assistants

** Please ensure that you have entered your e-mail address accurately to receive further training details and communication **

IMAGINE Autism Acceptance Month Peer Training April 2026

IMAGINE – Understanding Autism in School is a video and accompanying resource designed to support pupils in developing a better understanding of Autism and to promote acceptance, empathy and inclusion within the school community.

After watching the IMAGINE video, the booklet contains a range of structured activities that encourage pupils to reflect on what they have learned and explore Autism in more depth. The tasks are designed to help pupils think about how Autistic people may experience the world, challenge common myths, and consider ways to create a more supportive and inclusive school environment.

The activities can be used flexibly depending on the needs and abilities of your class. Some tasks are designed for individual reflection, while others work well as paired or group discussions. Teachers may choose to lead certain sections as a class discussion, or allow pupils to record their ideas independently in the booklet.

The overall aim of this resource is to:

Increase pupils’ understanding of Autism Challenge misconceptions and stereotypes Encourage empathy and respect for differences Promote acceptance and inclusion within school communities

This resource is particularly suitable for use during Autism Acceptance Month, PSHE lessons, tutor time, or assemblies, but it can also be used at any point in the school year to support inclusive education.

By engaging with these activities, pupils will be encouraged to imagine what school might feel like from different perspectives and think about how small changes in attitudes and actions can help make school a place where everyone feels understood, respected and included.

Understanding the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for pupils identified as having Special Educational Needs

Understanding the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for pupils identified as having Special Educational Needs - SEND Implementation and Development Team

A programme of four videos and supporting resources to promote effective practice in creating, implementing, monitoring and reviewing the PLP

Video 1 - Introduction to the PLP & Legislation

Video 2 - Stages and Content of the PLP

Video 3 - Responsibilities and the PLP Process

Video 4 - Parts of the PLP

Participants will be sent the link to access the PLP training videos/ resources on the EA SDS learning portal following registration.

Please use the EA training access code sent to all school leaders at the beginning of the academic year to register.

Setting Effective Expected Outcomes for the Personal Learning Plan

Setting Effective Expected Outcomes - SEND Implementation and Development Team

Aims:

To understand the SMART(E) framework process, along with other supporting strategies to develop outcomes. To highlight how to link in provisions that will enable children and young people to succeed.

Participants will be sent the link to access the training video/ resources on the EA SDS learning portal following registration.

Please use the EA training access code sent to all school leaders at the beginning of the academic year to register.

Supporting Pupils with a Statement for Social, Behavioural and Emotional Wellbeing Needs:

One registration for 3 sessions- Relationships, Building Resilience & Planning Support

Aims:
• Enable school staff to use a range of strategies and resources to promote inclusion for children and young people with a statement of SEN for Social, Behavioural, Emotional and Wellbeing (SBEW) needs.
• Understand the needs of children and young people with a SBEW statement of SEN needs.

Learning outcomes:
Session 1
Explore strategies which can be used to develop positive relationships with pupils who have SBEW needs and develop a culture of listening to the child/ young person's voice.

Session 2 Understand the importance of resilience development for pupils with a SBEW profile of need. Identity effective practice which will nurture the development of resilience for pupils with SBEW profile of need.

Session 3 Identity the skills, support and strategies that can be used to nurture belonging, raise self-awareness and to reduce tension for pupils with SBEW profile of need. Understanding of and monitoring of outcomes for pupils with SEN.

Location Microsoft Teams Online Platform
30/09/2025, 07/10/2025, 14/10/2025 Time 11.00-12.30
12/11/2025, 19/11/2025, 26/11/2025 Time14.00 -15.30
13/01/2026, 20/01/2026, 27/01/2026 Time 11.00-12.30
22/04/2026, 29/04/2026, 06/05/2026 Time 14.00 -15.30

Toolkit for New Classroom Assistants supporting Social, Behavioural and Emotional Wellbeing Needs (SBEW) - 1 Session

Aim: ​ To develop and increase understanding of the factors contributing to Social Behavioural and Emotional Wellbeing (SBEW) needs and how to support pupils presenting with such a profile of need in school.​ ​

Learning Outcomes:​ Familiarisation with a range of tools, resources and strategies to support pupils with SBEW needs.​ Development of an increased confidence to support pupils with SBEW needs.​

Location
Online Platform Microsoft Teams
Time 11.00- 12.30
Dates 01/10/2025, 04/11/2025, 03/12/2025, 07/01/2026, 04/02/2026, 04/03/2026

Development and Implementation of a Social Behaviour Emotional Wellbeing Plan, Incorporating the Pupil’s Voice

Aims

Outline the process for developing, monitoring and reviewing a Social Behaviour Emotional Wellbeing (SBEW) plan in line with the planning arrangements for pupils with a SBEW profile of need. (SBEW Proforma available in the updated SEN Resource file) Develop an understanding of how to unlock the pupil’s voice to contribute to the development of their SBEW Plan Increase awareness of how to use the pupil’s voice to shape, support and monitor progress

Delivery Dates:

14/10/2025 14.00-15.45

20/01/2026 14.00-15.45

24/03/2026 14.00-15.45

19/05/2026 14.00-15.45