Advanced Autism: Beyond Awareness – Understanding Regulation, Cognition and Learning

Course introduction

Understanding autism requires us to go beyond awareness and consider the underlying factors that influence how autistic learners experience, process and engage with the world around them.

This advanced, CPD-registered training explores the complex relationship between sensory processing, emotional regulation, cognitive functioning and learning. It encourages educators to look beyond observable behaviours and develop a deeper understanding of what may be influencing an autistic learner’s ability to access education, participate meaningfully and achieve their potential.

Regulation is fundamental to successful learning. However, while considerable attention is often given to supporting emotional and sensory regulation, the importance of cognitive challenge can sometimes be overlooked. Creating a regulated environment is an essential foundation, but it is equally important that we recognise, nurture and appropriately challenge the cognitive abilities of autistic learners.

Drawing on psychological theories, practical strategies and real-life educational scenarios, this course explores how differences in executive functioning, information processing, social understanding and sensory experiences can influence learning and engagement.

Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their current practice, challenge assumptions and consider how to create learning environments that support both regulation and intellectual growth.

Ultimately, this training is about moving beyond simply helping autistic learners to cope in educational settings, towards enabling them to think, learn, thrive and achieve.

What we will cover throughout the day

• Develop a deeper understanding of autism beyond introductory awareness, recognising the individual differences that influence learning, communication and engagement.

• Explore the relationship between sensory processing and regulation, understanding how sensory experiences, anxiety and environmental demands can affect a learner's readiness and ability to engage.

• Understand key cognitive theories and processes, including executive functioning, central coherence and social cognition, and consider their implications for teaching and learning.

• Recognise the importance of cognitive challenge, identifying how appropriate expectations, differentiation and intellectually stimulating learning opportunities can support autistic learners to reach their potential.

• Look beyond presenting behaviours to identify underlying factors that may be affecting participation, learning and emotional wellbeing.

• Apply practical, inclusive strategies that balance regulation, accessibility and cognitive challenge, enabling autistic learners to experience both meaningful support and academic progress.

Target audience

This course is designed for headteachers, deputy headteachers and assistant headteachers with responsibility for behaviour, inclusion, SEND or pastoral care. It is also highly relevant for SENCOs and assistant SENCOs, designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) and deputy DSLs, pastoral leaders and managers, heads of year and key stage, behaviour and inclusion leads, class teachers, form tutors and early career teachers (ECTs). Teaching assistants, higher level teaching assistants (HLTAs), learning mentors, pastoral support staff, family support workers, home school link workers, alternative provision staff, specialist school practitioners, virtual school and looked after children (LAC) leads, educational psychologists, specialist advisory teachers, school mental health leads, and trust leaders with responsibility for inclusion, SEND, behaviour or wellbeing will also benefit from attending.

Trainers for this course

Emma Pinnock

Emma is an experienced education consultant, specialist teacher and autism specialist with over 20 years' experience in education. Through her work with schools, education professional...s and families, Emma supports the development of inclusive educational practice, with a particular focus on understanding the individual needs of learners and removing barriers to successful engagement and achievement. Her approach combines specialist knowledge with practical, real-world experience, encouraging educators to look beyond labels and behaviours to understand the factors influencing how children think, learn and experience education. Emma is passionate about ensuring that inclusion is not simply about access or participation, but about creating meaningful opportunities for every learner to be challenged, develop and achieve their potential.Read more

See what others have to say about us

Lens is so easy to use for all of SLT. We love the infographics created as provides great visuals for governor feedback and discussion. Also the alignment with the inspection framework.

Greenhill School

At All Saints Primary School, we have found Lens to be an extremely valuable tool in supporting our self-evaluation and school improvement processes. Its clear alignment with the Inspection Framework helps provide clarity, supports distributed leadership across the school and enables evaluation activity to be both efficient and purposeful.

All Saints Primary School

I’ve been using Lens for several years now, and it’s an excellent tool for organising monitoring outcomes under Inspection framework headings, supporting clear identification of strengths and areas for improvement, while producing a comprehensive summary for SMT, Governors, and as a valuable discussion document for Inspection visits (even when not required).

Santes Fair School

About the venue

Stay at home, get comfortable and enjoy our live interactive course via Zoom! You’ll receive the link a few days before the course date so you can get prepared (and excited) ahead of time.

Handy course logistics

• The course will run via Zoom from 9:30 am – 12.30 pm, however, the trainer will be available 15 minutes before and after the course times to answer any questions.
• You’ll receive mid-morning break to re-energise.
• This course is designed to be interactive and inclusive. We welcome questions and discussions throughout and we want you to be comfortable and stress-free no matter where you join us from!
• Your course handouts will be emailed to you on the morning of the course.
• Additional links and information will be emailed to you before and during the course.
• This course is also available as an in-house / INSET training session at your school. Contact us for details.
• Please Note – the cost is per person