Specialist teaching team – for professionals

The York Autism Champions are a line of communication between schools and the Specialist Teaching Team for Autism, helping SENDCos and supporting their colleagues to identify and address some of the common concerns for their autistic and neurodivergent pupils.

They are our ‘eyes and ears on the ground’, enabling us all to work towards creating day to day autism-friendly environments for our autistic and neurodivergent pupils.

Meetings

• Tuesday 7 October 2025, 1.30pm to 2.30pm (new Champion catch-up)
• Tuesday 2 December 2025, 1.30pm to 3.00pm
• Tuesday 20 January 2026, 1.30pm to 3.00pm
• Tuesday 17 March 2026, 1.30pm to 3.00pm
• Tuesday 23 June 2026, 1.30pm to 3.00pm

Topics for the meetings

Topics, as discussed with and suggested by Autism Champions in the 2024 to 2025 cohort, will be chosen from:

• Making adjustments:
  • Reducing language, reducing demand
  • Developing social understanding and reducing anxiety using Social Stories
  • Emotional regulation support: 5-point scale and other strategies
• Carried forward from 2024-2025:
  • Toileting Issues
  • Girls and Autism
  • Understanding diagnosis

What to expect

When Autism Champions attend the meetings they will:

• be supported to understand and develop the role of Autism Champion within their setting
• hear from other champions about the work they are doing, with opportunities to share ideas and resources
• focus on topics relevant to pupils on the autism spectrum across all the primary school year groups
• receive the 'Primary Schools Autism Checklist' with updates for ideas for good practice
• receive information and resources shared in the meetings

Further support

Contact Nicky Wallace (Specialist Teacher for Autism) for further information or to enrol a new Autism Champion for your school by email: [email protected].

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