Who is this course for? 

• Do you have a child with a diagnosis of Autism?
• Are they aged between 10 and 16 years?
• Would you like to find out more about autism and supporting your child through their teenage years?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be interested in attending the NAS licensed family support Teen Life Programme run by the Inclusion and Specialist Support Team at Hackney Education.

About the programme

Teen Life runs for six sessions and is a programme for parents or carers with an autistic child aged 10 to 16 years.

The Teen Life Programme aims to bring parents together to share information, experiences, and ideas in a structured way.

Teen Life emphasises the importance of autistic perspectives, with videos and quotes used throughout the sessions.

In a similar way to other NAS family support programmes this programme is designed to empower parents and supporting professionals to understand more about how autism is experienced by autistic teenagers.

What topics will the course cover?  

• Session 1 Understanding autism in teenagers, Hidden presentation, Autistic perspectives
• Session 2 Self-esteem, Spending time with other people
• Session 3 Stress and anxiety, Understanding behaviour
• Session 4 Understanding your diagnosis, Understanding intense interests, Managing expectations
• Session 5 Puberty
• Session 6 Independence skills, Education, Planning for the future

Session Dates and Times for 2024

Each session will last 2 hours.

• Tuesday 9 January from 10 am to 12 pm for 6 weeks in person at Hackney Service Centre E8 1DY (NOTE: This course is fully booked)
• Wednesday 17 April 4 pm to 6 pm for 6 weeks in person at Mossbourne Community Academy
• Tuesday 4 June from 10 am to 12 pm for 6 weeks in person at Hackney Service Centre E8 1DY

More Dates to be added when available. If you would like to attend a Teen Life course please contact Fay or Rhaonnon Specialist teachers to add your name to the waiting list. Contact details below. 

A Teen Life Programme Book will be provided for each family on completion of the programme.

Who can attend and how can you apply for a place? 

Spaces are limited to 6 families per group. There are 2 allocated spaces per family plus a member of school staff if this is appropriate and they are available to attend sessions.

Apply online here for a place on the Hackney Teen Life family support programme.

Who can you talk to for more information? 

Hackney Education - 2024 Teen Life parent information leaflet  (PDF 90 KB) printable resource. 

Please contact the organiser if you have questions or need more information.

• Fay Day fay.day@hackney.gov.uk