Dorking Nursery School is proud to have two accredited Early Bird Trainers.

Early Bird programmes focus on understanding autism and supportive approaches for autistic children under the age of 6 and for children between the ages of 5 and 10.  Each session focusses on a different topic:

• Understanding autism – including key areas of difference, individual profiles, processing differences and one-page profiles
• Communication – including autistic communication styles, supporting communication and using visuals
• Understanding autistic experiences – including sensory processing and talking to your child about their autistic identity
• Supporting daily living – including the low arousal approach, sleep, eating, toileting/hygiene and dressing
• Health and wellbeing – including self-esteem, stress and anxiety and understanding feelings
• Connections – including working with professionals, family dynamics, siblings and education/reasonable adjustments

Programmes are delivered by Lisa and Nicole, two of our teachers who are trained licenced users of the programme and consist of 6 sessions (2 and a half hours long) usually delivered one session per week for 6 weeks.  There will be a between 6-8 families per programme with each family being offered spaces for up to 2 parents/carers plus, if parents choose, a supporting professional.  

Each session is a mixture of information, activities, videos and sharing experiences.  There is always time to reflect on how the topic relates to the individual child/family.  

For more information about the next programme or to register interest, please email earlybird@dorking.surrey.sch.uk