What makes this course different from other autism CPD?

Created by Colette Kelly, Modified on Thu, 7 May at 10:14 AM by Colette Kelly

At a Glance

Most autism CPD for counsellors falls into one of two camps: live lectures where you are shown PowerPoints and spoken at, or self-directed video courses where you watch, read, and download a certificate. This course is built deliberately for the gap in between.

What's distinctive

A few things genuinely set this course apart from typical autism CPD.

Built and delivered by neurodivergent practitioners

The course was co-created with autistic individuals and autistic counsellors. It is delivered by tutors who are either neurodivergent themselves or have close family members who are. The learning carries the weight of lived experience, not just academic study from the outside.

Implementation, not just instruction

You complete the depth — 39 hours across six modules — at your own pace, before the live workshop. By the time you arrive at the live session, you are already informed. The live day is not a lecture. There are no PowerPoints. You spend the day actively building autism-informed practice into your work — drafting website copy, planning reasonable adjustments, rethinking how you contract, exploring where your professional limits sit.

You leave with practice change, not just a certificate.

Depth on topics often skimmed

The course covers areas rarely found in other autism CPD: the double empathy problem, alexithymia, interoception, synaesthesia, aphantasia, the toll of masking, the intersection of autism and trauma. These are not niche extras — they are where genuine understanding begins.

Affirming, not "fixing"

The philosophical foundation is "People Not Pathology." The course celebrates neurodiversity rather than treating it as something to be corrected. It positions itself explicitly against deficit-based models.

A living course

The training evolves with every intake. Feedback is collected, reviewed, and acted upon. New research is integrated. New interviews and specialist lectures are added. Lifetime access means you receive every update at no extra cost.

How members describe it

"This course is a game-changer. It moves beyond outdated, deficit-based models to offer a truly affirming approach."

"A superb combination of theory, personal testimony and discussion."

"The depth and understanding I was looking for."

Want to know more?

You can see full course details — including upcoming start dates and current pricing — at the Certificate in Working Therapeutically with Autistic Clients page.

If you have a specific question we haven't answered here, email us at support@counsellingtutor.com — a real person will reply within 24 hours.