Module 7 – Autism and Demand Avoidance
A two-day online training.
Module 7 in the BPS Approved Cert/Dip in Autism and Mental Health.
£192
(inclusive of all course materials)
Understanding Demand Avoidance in Autistic People – BPS Approved Online Training Course
This two-day online training course introduces a clear, practical model for understanding how demand avoidance is experienced and expressed by autistic people. You’ll develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to recognise the signs of demand avoidance and deliver effective, compassionate support tailored to autistic individuals.
Whether you’re a clinician, educator, parent or support professional, this course equips you with practical tools and strategies you can apply immediately in real-world settings.
You can enrol in this course as a stand-alone programme or complete it as Module 7 of the BPS-Approved Certificate and Diploma in Autism and Mental Health. All learning materials are delivered via an online learning platform, giving you the flexibility to study at your own pace, anytime, on any device.
What will you learn on this course?
- Core Understanding
- Understand the different ways demand avoidance is experienced and expressed by autistic people
- Learn how to reframe demand avoidance through the lived experiences of autistic individuals
- Explore the relationship between autism, demand avoidance, and identity
- Gain awareness of the latest research, evidence-based approaches, and practical resources
- Assessment & Neuro-Informed Practice
- Understand the model of demands exceeding capacity to cope in autistic people
- Learn to use key tools, including: the Awareness, Response and Communication (ARC) Tool the Autistic Person’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Develop awareness of an individual’s neurodevelopmental profile when screening for demand avoidance as part of a neuro-informed initial assessment
- Apply learning through realistic case examples to build confidence in practice
- Mental Health, Education & Access to Support
- Understand the impact of demand avoidance on mental health, wellbeing, and access to mental health services and education
- Learn how unmet needs and inappropriate responses can increase distress—and how to prevent this
- Practical Strategies for Home & School
- Discover adaptable strategies to support autistic people with a demand avoidant profile in home and school environments
- Understand the role and purpose of low arousal approaches in reducing distress and supporting regulation
- Learn and practise low arousal support strategies that promote safety and effective communication, including: Developing a Low Arousal Practice – Good Practice Guide & 7 Low Arousal and Compassionate Communication Strategies
- Tools, Resources & Skill-Building
- Practise and model compassionate communication strategies using structured tools and resources
- Receive an overview of NCAMH tools and resources that support: self-soothing and decompression safety and co-regulation trauma-informed and low arousal practice (including the Trauma Resource Pack, Self-Care Strategies, Self-Soothing and Calming Resources, Compassionate Communication Pack, and the PICASSO Framework)
- Ongoing Learning & Reflection
- Access additional learning materials, guidelines, and curated resources to deepen your understanding of demand avoidance
- Reflect on how to apply course learning directly to your own professional practice
Investment
£192.00 (inclusive of all course materials)
For multiple bookings or for employer invoicing please call 07545 190915.
Discounts are available for multiple bookings.
Resources and Strategies you will take away
- Developing a Low Arousal Practice Resource Pack
- Seven Low Arousal and Compassionate Communication Strategies Resource Pack
How many lessons are there in this course?
There are six lessons in this module/short course including:
Lesson 1: What is demand avoidance?
Lesson 2: Autism and demand avoidance.
Lesson 3: Autism, identity and demand avoidance.
Lesson 4: Autism and demand avoidance, spotting the signs and helpful approaches
Lesson 5: Developing a low arousal practice and good practice resource pack.
Lesson 6: Seven low arousal and compassionate communication strategies resource pack.
What are the benefits of completing this training?
• Understanding of Autism and Demand Avoidance (using an inside out & neuro-affirmative approach)
• Certificate of completion (this course equates to 16 hours CPD and is recognised by the BPS).
• Work towards the BPS Approved Certification in Autism and Mental Health.
• Ability to adjust practice.
• Specific skills and resources for supporting Autistic people who experience co-occurring demand avoidance.
• Access to supportive resources, skills, and approaches.
• Increased awareness around your own practice.
• Application of learning into practice.
What else will you take away from this course?
- PDF COURSE HANDOUTS
- FURTHER READING/REFERENCE LIST
- COURSE GUIDE
- 12 WEEK ACCESS TO 6 TUTOR LED VIDEOS
- 6 COURSE WORKBOOKS (1 PER LESSON)
- 4 NCAMH PODCAST INTERVIEWS
- 1 DEMAND AVOIDANCE SCREENING TOOL
- 2 RESOURCE PACKS INCLUDING WORKSHEETS (DEVELOPING A LOW AROUSAL PRACTICE AND 7 LOW AROUSAL AND COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES).
- 3 ARTICLES
- LINKS TO CQC GUIDANCE
ADDITIONAL BOOKS, LINKS AND RESOURCES - LINKS TO SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS
- 3 REFLECTIVE PRACTICE WORKSHEETS
How long with this course take to complete?
The learning on this online training course equates to approximately 2 days of training (16 hours).
Can I go on to complete the BPS Approved Certificate?
• If you would like to go on to complete the BPS Approved Certificate please click here to go to the course page. There are a further six online modules in the Certificate Programme including:
• Module 1: Understanding Autism and Mental health
• Module 2: Core practitioner skills and adjustments to practice
• Module 3: Sensory Awareness and Regulation
• Module 4: Autism, Alexithymia, Masking/Camouflaging and Synesthesia.
• Module 5: Autism and Anxiety
• Module 6: Autism and Depression