ACT – Autism Consultancy and Training
As part of Autism NI Training Department’s development, a company limited by guarantee (ACT) has been formed to take the training wing forward to an exciting strategic level in the future. This Company will utilise resources achieved to further the work of Autism NI in terms of Family Support Training, Research and Developments specific to Autism to improve services for individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
Click on the links below to view Pen Pictures of the Board of ACT
Trainers
Autism NI’s training department team has a wealth of qualifications, expertise and experience. As well as drawing on the wide range of skills within our own professional team, we also have links and longstanding relationships with a consortium of local and international specialist trainers. For example our five day TEACCH training is co-ordinated by Nancy Dartnall Clinical Director from Division TEACCH in North Carolina, and the Autism NI ABA Training is delivered by Dr Thomas Willis from the Institute of IABA in California.
We are delighted to host a busy calendar of workshops, training and seminars to make this knowledge accessible to professionals and parents in Ireland. We also have delegates accessing our specialist training on a regular basis from England, Scotland, Wales and the South of Ireland. We also use and support local experts as much as possible as part of our overarching strategy of developing home grown experts and a culture of excellence in ASD in Northern Ireland.
Training Accreditation
The Assessment Qualification Alliance (AQA) accredits our introductory
training courses.
The AQA Unit Award Scheme dates back to 1984 and is offered by the Assessment
and Qualifications Alliance, the largest awarding body in England and Wales.
AQA is fully approved by QCA – Qualifications and Curriculum Authority sponsored by the Department of Education and Skills as a scheme which recognises achievement of delegates. The AQA Unit Award Scheme provides the opportunity to give delegates formal recognition of their success in short courses (units) within the context of recording achievement. A Unit Award statement is issued after each unit is completed (i.e. each one day course) and a letter of credit is issued listing all one - day courses that have been completed.
The Unit Award scheme provides external accreditation of achievement and provides a route to support lifelong learning. Autism NI is now looking to establish an accredited Northern Ireland Certificate in ASD in partnership with key providers.
Graded Training 
Autism NI offers a full prospectus of training from the very basic fundamentals of ASD to intensive professional training in diagnosis and intervention. A list of the full training programmes provided by Autism NI is available in the annual training prospectus online.
Training is generally delivered at the following levels:
- Level one - Awareness of Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Level two - Specific skills and interventions
- Level three - Specialist diagnostic and assessment skills
Autism NI is the only provider of graded training in TEACCH and IABA in Northern Ireland, having negotiated and entered into training agreements with these agencies. Local professionals work with us and with the external agencies to progress trainers to an independent trainer level.
Autism NI offers graded training opportunities and importantly a framework for progressing through different stages of training, thus training with Autism NI is seen as a point of departure rather than an end in itself. We would aim for staff entering into a training relationship with us and progressing through the various stages of training which can culminate in an individual being an independent TEACCH trainer; an independent IABA trainer; or a diagnostician specialising in difficult to diagnose children. Professionals who complete high-level training (e.g. in diagnosis or TEACCH) are then offered membership of Special Interest Groups. These build on existing training, offer an outlet for support and a forum for continuing professional development. Autism NI inaugurated and hosts the special interest groups of:
- TEACCH
- Early Intervention
- Diagnosis
The overarching aim is to improve the levels of knowledge, understanding and skills of those interfacing with individuals with ASD and their carers; and to target key staff in all sectors to improve the levels of access and uptake of training knowledge and associated issues of ASD.
Autism NI offers a professional organisation with the necessary experience, infrastructure, accountability, management, local and regional knowledge to assess and develop training needs in Ireland. All of our training is evaluated by the participants, which is used to inform our training delivery on an ongoing basis.
Training Delivery 
Training can be delivered in accessible locations identified by commissioning organisations as well as in our own training facilities in Knockbracken Healthcare Park, Belfast. Training is delivered in a variety of formats (such as lecture style, practical and demonstration). In 2006/7 over 3000 delegates from statutory and voluntary agencies attended Autism NI training. Parents, carers, family members and professionals benefit from Autism NI’s credible, authoritative and creative approach to Autism training. Autism NI aims to continue its key role in Autism training for many years to come.
Our current range of training opportunities in 2007/8 can be can be accessed via our training prospectus.
Partnerships
The establishment of Autism NI as a training agency started with funding from with DHSS&PS. Autism NI now works in partnership with the Health Boards in Northern Ireland, who engage Autism NI as a training provider. We have also worked with the Education and Library Boards and Health Trusts. Each year we deliver a full prospectus of training for parents, carers, family members, individuals with ASD and professionals working in the field all across Northern Ireland and Ireland.
We look forward to meeting you
Autism NI (PAPA)
