Autism Courses for Parents in the UK

Written by Dr Lucy Russell DClinPsyc CPsychol AFBPsS
Dr Lucy Russell Clinical Psychologist Founder of They Are The Future
Author: Dr Lucy Russell, Clinical Psychologist

So, you’re the parent of an autistic child.

Or perhaps you’re wondering whether your child might be autistic and you’re just beginning to explore this path.

Maybe you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, unsure where to start.

I get it. There’s so much to navigate, and it can feel daunting.

a mum and little boy crouching for a photo in a park

Your Child Development and Autism Expert

I’m Dr. Lucy Russell, a clinical psychologist specialising in autism in children and teens.

Alongside my husband, I run Everlief, a large child psychology clinic in Buckinghamshire. Over the past 20 years as a clinical psychologist, I’ve met hundreds of parents just like you: Caring, committed, and searching for the best ways to support your child.

The truth is, there’s a serious gap when it comes to accessible, practical guidance for parents of autistic children. That’s why I began running online courses.

My goal?

To provide clear, compassionate, and actionable support tailored to your family’s needs.

In this article, I’ll walk you through how my online autism courses can make a real difference in your parenting journey.

I’ll introduce the courses my team and I offer, including our flagship ‘Embracing Autism’ programme and the Everlief Parent Club.

Plus, I’ll share some of the other excellent resources available to parents in the UK.

Here’s an AI Audio Summary Version of this article:

a mum and son enjoying being on devices together

Why Take an Autism Course For Parents?

Parenting is complex, the demands of the modern world are complex, and autism is also complex. So as a parent, how are you supposed to know which direction to go in? Finding your way can feel overwhelming at times.

Whether your child has a diagnosis already or not, what professionals call “early intervention” is crucial. In others words, getting off on the right footing by using the right strategies and ensuring your child has supportive environments around them, is vital to their future happiness and health.

That’s where an autism course can make a huge difference.

If we don’t understand autism as parents, we might not respond in the best way to any emotional or behavioural difficulties they have. We might not set up our home environments or routines in ways that help our children thrive.

Once we understand, we can understand our child’s world and respond in ways that truly work.

a mum holding her daughter in a park

What to Look For in an Autism Course For Parents

A good course is delivered by experts and rooted in evidence-based practices, so you know the strategies are proven to be effective.

You’ll develop an understanding of how autistic brains differ from neurotypical brains.

You’ll learn practical ways to understand address problem behaviours or difficult emotions while teaching your child new skills that build independence and confidence.

From managing sensory overload to supporting emotional regulation, these autism-specific approaches can lead to real breakthroughs.

When you understand how to parent your child using tailored strategies, the benefits can ripple through your entire family. Your child’s mental health improves, they build essential life skills, and everyone feels more connected and supported.

Now let’s look at some specific courses!

Embracing Autism Online Course

Embracing Autism online course for parents logo

Whether your child has already been diagnosed with autism, or you are still waiting for a diagnosis, Embracing Autism is the perfect starting point. Running three to four times a year, this course offers clear, evidence-based strategies to help you understand your child’s needs and build their confidence and independence.

Embracing Autism is run by me alongside 4 incredible colleagues from different disciplines:

  • Dr Cassie Coleman, a consultant community paediatrician;
  • Dr Marcelina Watkinson, a clinical psychologist;
  • Nicci Paine, a specialist occupational therapist, and
  • Aimee Laming, a senior occupational therapist.

We all specialise in autism and have many years’ experience in diagnosing autism and supporting families.

The course combines on-demand modules with a live Q&A webinar at the end, so you can learn at your own pace while getting expert support. Whether it’s sensory sensitivities, school or social challenges, or emotional regulation, Embracing Autism equips you with practical tools to create positive change for your child.

Through this course, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and actionable strategies that can transform your family’s day-to-day life and set your child on a path to thrive.

Everlief Parent Club

Everlief Parent Club logo

Everlief Parent Club is an online membership platform run by me alongside some of my brilliant team of mental health professionals at Everlief Child Psychology.

Though not strictly a course, this platform offers an amazing community for parents of neurodivergent children.

Each month, mental health professionals in my team run webinars on topics like friendships, anxiety and managing transitions.

Additionally, our “Ask Us Anything” sessions allow you to submit questions and receive personalized responses by video.

a mum and son walking in a park

Outsmart Anxiety

Outsmart Anxiety online course logo

Anxiety is incredibly common in autistic children, often due to sensory sensitivities, difficulty understanding social cues, or a need for predictability in a world that feels overwhelming.

Without the right tools, anxiety can affect every aspect of their life, from friendships to learning and overall well-being.

Outsmart Anxiety is designed to give you the knowledge and strategies to help your child manage their worries effectively. This course covers practical, evidence-based techniques for reducing anxiety and building resilience.

You’ll learn how to create a calm and predictable environment, support your child’s emotional regulation, and teach them essential coping skills.

TAKE THE QUIZ!

End Emotional Outbursts

For many parents of autistic children, emotional outbursts are a daily struggle.

These outbursts often stem from sensory overload, communication challenges, or difficulty understanding and managing big feelings. They can deeply affect quality of life for your entire family.

My End Emotional Outbursts mini course for parents is designed to help you understand the root causes of these challenging behaviours and equip you with effective, evidence-based strategies to reduce them. Suitable for parents of children from 5 years upwards, this course provides practical tools to help your child develop emotional regulation skills while improving the overall harmony in your home.

Delivered online over 5 days, you can follow the course at your own pace, fitting it around your busy schedule.

By learning how to respond calmly and consistently, you’ll create a more peaceful environment and help your child feel more secure and understood.

a child and her parents walking to school along a path

Sleep For Success

Sleep for Success online parent course logo

Sleep is the cornerstone of a child’s success, influencing everything from mental health to daily functioning.

For parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, achieving consistent, quality sleep can be particularly challenging.

Sleep For Success is designed to address these challenges head-on, providing you with practical strategies to improve your child’s sleep patterns.

This focused course guides you through exactly what to do to get your child more—and better—sleep.

By implementing these new ways to enhance sleep, you can help reduce behavioural problems and support your child in developing essential life skills.

The course is structured to allow you to proceed at your own pace, making it convenient to fit into your family’s busy life.

Autism Online Courses For Parents: Other Organisations to Explore

National Autistic Society

The National Autistic Society is a brilliant source of quality information and advice. They have an online community and loads of information on their pages.

What’s more, many of their local branches run talks, parent workshops and other face to face events.

Autism Education Trust

The Autism Education Trust offers lots of information about autism such as guides to download, and they also run Autism Central, a free hub where you can find basic information about autism, and look for services and events taking place in your area.

Related Articles

Signs of Autism in Teens

Autism Assessments: Information For Parents

Finding Out Your Child is Autistic: What To Do Next

The Power of Neurodiversity: Celebrating Autism Strengths

“Neurodivergent Affirming”: What It Is And What It Means for Your Child

Autism & Masking at School

Dr Lucy Russell is a UK clinical psychologist who works with children and families. Her work involves both therapeutic support and autism assessments. She is the Clinical Director of Everlief Child Psychology, and also worked in the National Health Service for many years.

In 2019 Lucy launched They Are The Future, a support website for parents of school-aged children. Through TATF Lucy is passionate about giving practical, manageable strategies to parents and children who may otherwise struggle to find the support they need.

Lucy is a mum to two teenage children. She lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband, children, rescue dog and three rescue cats. She enjoys caravanning and outdoor living, singing and musical theatre.

UK parents! Are you ready to boost your family’s wellbeing and kickstart your child’s journey towards brilliant mental health?

This FREE 20-minute course from Dr. Lucy Russell, with quick-start strategies will help you and your family begin your journey to flourishing mental health!

🔍 What’s Inside?

✅ Quick quiz to assess your starting point

🎥 Short and engaging video lessons

💡 Practical strategies to implement today

Yours for 3 days

In just 20 minutes, I will give you tools to enhance your family’s wellbeing.

Together, we can move towards a calm, happy family life and boost your child’s wellbeing. Get your free course now!