Communication and Language Support for Autistic Children and Young People

Communication and Language Support for Autistic Children and Young People

Communication and Language Support for Autistic Children and Young People

10 SESSION

Neurodiversity-affirming training for educators, teaching assistants, and support staff

Support autistic learners to thrive, with evidence-based, practical communication strategies you can use immediately. This accredited, specialist course from Elklan is designed for anyone working with autistic children and young people, whether in mainstream or specialist settings. Learn to understand communication through a neurodiversity-affirming lens and implement practical strategies to support language, social interaction, sensory needs, and behaviour.

Training Formats

Face-to-Face Training
Online Training

£420 plus VAT per person.

Find upcoming courses
Face-to-Face Training
Face-to-Face Training

£460 plus VAT per person.

Find upcoming courses
e-learning sessions for Autistic Pupils [10 session]
Online Non-Accredited e-learning

£295 for 12 weeks' access.

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Feedback From Participants

This course has truly been a transformative experience, and I can't overstate its significance in improving my skills and knowledge for my everyday work. Over the course of these remarkable 10 weeks, I've had the privilege of learning a multitude of new concepts and strategies that have become invaluable in my professional practice with autistic children and pupils.
Inese Kapina, 2024, re: Elklan Communication and Language Support for Autistic Pupils
This course is invaluable.
Lisa Williams, 2024, re: Elklan Communication and Language Support for Autistic Pupils
I have enjoyed learning about supporting communication with pupils who have ASD, it will be beneficial to take this approach as a whole school approach, especially for mainstream ALN. Thank you very much.
Kellieann O'Sullivan, 2024, re: Elklan Communication and Language Support for Autistic Pupils
Have really enjoyed this course and will take this knowledge with me throughout my practice in the future.
Nia Howells, 2024, re: Elklan Communication and Language Support for Autistic Pupils
I found the course to be highly informative and it has already had a huge impact on my practice as an NQT.
a practitioner, 2024, re: Elklan Communication and Language Support for Autistic Pupils
I have been lucky enough to complete two Elklan courses over the past few years. One was classroom based the other was virtually and both equally as enjoyable. The outstanding help and support from the Elklan tutors throughout the learning experience has been outstanding. I work in a Resource Provision base with secondary school pupils and carry out a variety of lessons using the knowledge learnt from yourselves. Having achieved the two qualifications I can confidently see students improve and grow. I would fully recommend your courses to other professionals or parents.
Nicola Lidgett - Teaching Assistant, 2021, re: Elklan Communication and Language Support for Autistic PupilsCommunication Support for Verbal Pupils with ASD
Excellent - lots of practical strategies backed up by research.
anon, re: Elklan Communication and Language Support for Autistic PupilsCommunication Support for Verbal Pupils with ASD

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What You'll Learn

1
Autism and Communication
Gain an understanding of autism and neurodiversity, and explore communication processes and Gestalt Language Processing through a strength-based lens.
2
Sensory Development and Sensory Integration
Discover how to recognise different sensory profiles and use practical strategies to support the sensory needs of autistic individuals.
3
Communication Differences
Learn how to observe, respect, and respond positively to unique communication styles, including echolalia and physical communication.
4
The Learning Environment
Explore how to create inclusive, visually supported environments that foster attention and meet individual learning needs.
5
Encouraging Positive Interaction
Understand your role in promoting positive social interactions through neuro-affirming, child-led approaches and the concept of Double Empathy.
6
Supporting Social Communication
Gain practical ideas to support peer interactions, inclusive play, and communication adaptations that encourage social connection.
7
Developing verbal reasoning and The Blank Language Scheme
Learn how to build verbal reasoning and comprehension skills using a structured language model relevant to autistic learners.
8
Supporting language development
Develop strategies to support vocabulary growth, narrative skills, and concept development through visual and contextual learning.
9
Behaviour is Communication
Understand behaviour as a form of communication and apply course learning to respond supportively and proactively.
10
Outcomes
Reflect on course outcomes and learn how to apply neuro-affirming language in your reports, goals, and everyday practice.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by OCN London at Levels 2 and 3.

Who Should Join

  • Teachers and TAs in mainstream or SEN settings
  • Speech and language support staff
  • SENCOs and Inclusion Leads
  • Early Years Practitioners

Available courses

Accredited Online Training

Jan - May 2026

starts Tue 27th Jan, 3:30pm

Feb - May 2026

starts Tue 3rd Feb, 10:00am
Face-to-Face Training
Find upcoming courses

Further training opportunities

NEW! CPD Workshops

We offer a range of one-hour CPD workshops over one or two sessions designed specifically for Elklan-trained practitioners working in Early Years and Key Stages 1 and 2.

Elklan CPD
Let's Talk courses for parents and carers

If you achieve a level 3 qualification in Communication and Language Support for Autistic Children and Young People, you can train to deliver Let's Communicate Together to parents and carers of children with speech and language needs in your school. Following a one-day course, you'll be qualified as a Let's Talk Tutor, able to cascade the Let's Talk course under licence.

Communication Friendly Settings (CFS)

Communication and Language Support for Autistic Children and Young People is an essential first step for your school to achieve Communication Friendly Setting status. If you are a TA, you need to complete the level 3 qualification; if you are a teacher, then you can access the non-accredited e-learning sessions, which will prepare you to complete a level 4 learning log at the next stage.

Specialist Courses

These courses are ideally suited for you if you have completed an eight- or ten-session core course and wish to take your learning further.

Supporting Autistic Children and Young People's Communication
Supporting Children with Unclear Speech
Supporting Children and Adults using AAC
Supporting Social, Emotional and Mental Health of Children and Young People
Supporting Autistic Children and Young People's Communication
Supporting Children with Unclear Speech
Supporting Children and Adults using AAC
Supporting Social, Emotional and Mental Health of Children and Young People

Flyers and other downloads

Communication and Language Support for Autistic Pupils course flyer