Training & Events

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’

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’

Neuroaffirming Autism Practice for Schools

A practical, evidence-informed training programme for Principals, SENCO’s teachers and classroom assistants.

This comprehensive training programme is designed to support school staff in developing confident, compassionate, and effective approaches to working with autistic pupils.

Grounded in a neuroaffirming philosophy, the course focuses on creating environments where autistic learners can thrive.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the autistic experience, alongside practical, classroom-ready strategies to support learning, communication, and wellbeing across the school day.

 

The training consists of 4 Online Modules via MS Teams (90 minutes each) over 4 Days

 

Date & Time:- 

Thurs  5th, 12th, 19th & 26th November 2026                           2pm – 3.30pm

Thurs  25th February 2027 + 4th, 11th & 18th March 2027       2pm – 3.30pm

Thurs  6th, 13th, 20th &  27th May 2027                                     2pm – 3.30pm

 

Module 1:   Understanding the Autistic Experience We aim to build a strong foundation by exploring autism through a neuroaffirming lens. This module focuses on recognising differences in thinking, processing, and interaction, while identifying individual strengths and support needs.

Module 2:   Neuroaffirming Classrooms We aim to empower staff to create inclusive, responsive classroom environments that reduce barriers to learning. This module provides practical strategies to support engagement, participation, and success for autistic learners.

Module 3:   Communication and Connection We aim to develop meaningful, respectful ways to connect with autistic pupils. This module explores differences in communication styles and offers approaches to support understanding, interaction, and relationships in school.

Module 4:   Autistic Wellbeing We aim to introduce tools to recognise and respond to anxiety, overwhelm, and sensory differences. This module focuses on supporting emotional regulation and creating environments that promote safety, wellbeing, and resilience.

An Introduction to Precision Teaching

Precision Teaching is a structured teaching intervention that focuses on improving accuracy and fluency of specific skills e.g. sight reading (100HFW), spellings, number recognition etc.
It uses data collection and monitoring to guide target setting and teaching.

AIMS: To understand the principles of Precision Teaching To have the tools and resources to implement a Precision Teaching intervention

 

TIME:

See session information

Introduction to Vision Impairment

This course will provide an introduction to the following 3 areas for those teaching and supporting children and young people with vision impairment in their classes:-

• What is vision loss?

• The implications of vision loss on learning

• Reasonable adjustments to support a pupil with vision loss.

All those attending will have a clear understanding of what vision impairment is and what it is not.

All those attending will have a clear understanding of the implication and impact vision impairment has on learning.

All those attending will gain knowledge and understanding of appropriate reasonable adjustments to support children and young people with vision impairment.

 

Tuesday 25th August 2026    10:00am - 11:00am

or

Thursday 27th August 2026   1:30pm - 2:30pm

Using Technology with Children & Young People with Vision Impairment

This course will provide guidance on working with children and young people with moderate to severe vision impairments who have been provided with assistive technology and will cover the following:-

• Making modifications

• Using iPad to note-take and improve organisation (Notes app and Notability)

• Using Google Meet to screen share

• Desktop applications for magnification - An Introduction to Zoomtext and Read and Write toolbar.

All those attending will have a clear understanding of the principles of making modifications to text for children and young people with vision impairment.

All those attending with gain knowledge of supporting children and young people provided with iPads All those attending with gain knowledge and understanding on how to share information from an interactive whiteboard to iPads.

All those attending will gain knowledge and understanding of Desktop and laptop applications for magnification.

 

Tuesday 25th August 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm

or

Thursday 27th August 2026 10:00am - 1:30pm

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.

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.

Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA): Solution Focused Hubs

What are they?

EBSNA Solution Focused Hubs are multidisciplinary collaborative meetings designed to bring together a range of skills and experience to address concerns raised regarding a specific pupil by a school. These meetings take an integrated, asset based and action-oriented approach. By working collaboratively, the team can share knowledge, perspectives and ideas to co-create practical strategies and solutions with settings.

What is the format?

Solution Focused Hubs take place online via MS Teams and last for approximately one hour. The meeting follows the Farouk group consultation model and is led by a facilitator and co-facilitator (Educational Psychology Service). The team is made up of the Educational Psychology Service (EPS), Education Welfare Service (EWS) and Local IMPACT Team (LIT) staff. Following each meeting the co-facilitator will draft an action plan outlining the strategies suggested during the meeting and progress is reviewed after 8 weeks in a follow up 30 minute MS Teams meeting. Please ensure you can commit to both meeting dates before booking.

Availability is extremely limited and spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Successful settings will be contacted via automated email and offered a date and time for their Hub session and follow up review. If your preferred slot is not available we strongly recommend that you join the wait list as spaces may be offered in the event of cancellations. Use of the waiting list function also allows us to capture the demand for this service to enable future planning.

What is my role?

As a referrer you will be invited to share your concerns and experiences regarding the pupil you have in mind and participate in joint solution focused conversations to help identify possible strategies and ideas to create positive change. Participating schools will be asked to complete a short pre-consultation form and evaluation form at the end of the process. No RFI or additional paperwork will be required. This process is suitable for children/young people at all stages of the Code of Practice. However, as no formal referral is required, the name of the pupil will be kept anonymous for the purpose of the Hub meeting. We would encourage schools to seek parental consent as usual as a matter of good practice.

The process is open to Principals, SENCOs, Teachers and Classroom Assistants and the meeting is usually best attended by staff who know the pupil well and are in a position to support change. Although it is not a pre-requisite, we highly recommend attending the EPS EBNSA Primary / Post-Primary training prior to booking a Hub slot.