A CHARITY supporting people on the autism spectrum is improving awareness of the condition through training sessions.

Cheshire Autism Practical Support (ChAPS) is organising the professional sessions, offering an introduction to autism with a view to making employees more autism aware.

Jo Garner, CEO, said: “We support hundreds of people of all ages who have autism spectrum conditions, with a varied programme of 80 different activities across Cheshire every month, as well as offering help and advice to families.

“This help also extends to these professional training courses, and the introduction to autism is a three-hour interactive session designed to improve awareness of autism, and highlight common problems and ways to solve them for those working alongside people with ASC.

“The course is broken down into three different sessions, and looks at the theory around autism, practical examples of how autism affects people and looking at strategies and ideas which can increase awareness and understanding.

“The content within the course is a mixture of teaching, discussion and participation, and each point is taught with practical examples given and discussed practically.

“By the end of the session, we are confident that delegates will have far greater awareness of autism spectrum conditions, and increased knowledge and confidence when working with people with ASC in their daily lives.”

One delegate who attended a previous course said: "I thought I knew a lot about autism, but this training has given me more insight.

"It has helped give me a greater understanding of the difficulties faced by people with autism, and why they face those difficulties."

Sessions run in Northwich and Runcorn during September. Email office@cheshireautism.org.uk