A number of training courses especially for mothers, fathers and family members of children and adults with special needs are taking place during the year at Sunfield Professional Development Centre near Stourbridge in the West Midlands.  Sunfield, an independent residential school and charity, is internationally renowned for its work with children with severe and complex learning difficulties and, particularly, those with autistic spectrum disorders. All courses cost just £10 per place.

The first family course of the year takes place from 10am to 3.15pm on Saturday, 21 February and is an Introduction to Signalong workshop. Open to all members of a family with a child or adult who has special needs, the workshop will explain the benefits of signing as well as providing some basic training.

On Saturday, 21 March from 9.30am to 3pm, Sunfield is running a day specifically for mothers.  This course will be dedicated to the development and use of stories aimed at addressing social understanding and issues faced by children with ASD.

A day specifically for fathers will be held on Saturday, 20 June and will look at Behaviour Management, giving an overview of the latest developments in techniques, the dos and don’ts of managing behaviour plus a look at some of the causes and reasons, and positive interventions that can be employed.

Three further courses for the second half of the year are open to all family members and will cover What is ADHD? (26 Sept), Understanding the Power of Play (24 October) and Seamless Assessment Transition (21 November).

For full details or to apply for a place on any of the courses, phone 01562 883183 or go to Sunfield’s webpage