About this course
Autism and Understanding Anxiety, Autism and Reframing Behaviour Adolescence is a period of significant change, bringing increased academic demands, social complexity, transitions, and expectations around independence. For autistic young people, these experiences can place considerable pressure on their emotional wellbeing. Anxiety, distress, withdrawal, shutdown, reduced engagement, or behaviours often labelled as "challenging" are rarely random; they are meaningful responses to environments, expectations, and experiences that may feel overwhelming, unpredictable, or unsafe. This neuroaffirming training explores the strong relationship between anxiety, behaviour, and wellbeing in Post Primary School settings. Rather than viewing behaviour as defiance, non-compliance, or a lack of motivation, participants will learn how behaviour can reflect underlying nervous system states, unmet needs, sensory overwhelm, chronic stress, masking, or threats to safety and belonging. Drawing on contemporary autism research, neuroscience, and autistic lived experience, the training supports educators to move beyond behaviour management and towards understanding, prevention, and support. Participants will explore: How anxiety presents in autistic adolescents and its impact on learning, attendance, participation, and wellbeing. The relationship between anxiety, sensory processing, masking, emotional regulation, and behaviour. How behaviour can be understood as communication and adaptation rather than opposition or defiance. The role of neuroception, felt safety, and belonging in supporting regulation and engagement. How school systems, routines, expectations, and environments can either reduce or amplify distress. Practical, relationship-based approaches that support co-regulation, emotional wellbeing, and participation. Strategies for creating psychologically safe, predictable, and autism-inclusive learning environments. This training provides practical, evidence-informed approaches that help autistic young people feel understood, respected, and supported. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of adolescent anxiety and behaviour, and the confidence to create school environments where autistic students can learn, participate, belong, and thrive.
