inclusion AND SEND

Understanding and Supporting Autistic Learners
(Long Course)

In ‘Understanding and Supporting Autistic Learners (Long Course)’, we provide teachers with an evidence-based framework rooted in inclusive practice. This course is designed to help practitioners across primary and secondary settings move beyond labels and focus on the strategic reality of supporting autistic learners. We examine how autism impacts a learner's ability to process sensory information, communicate and regulate. By shifting the lens from ‘management’ to ‘environmental scaffolding’, this course provides a toolkit for designing a classroom environment that addresses sensory differences and executive functioning for the whole child.
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Liv Gisby &
Saleena Sandhu

2 hours

Online Course

By completing this course, you will:

develop a comprehensive understanding of the diverse autistic profile, with a specific focus on how sensory processing, communication styles and executive functioning can manifest across different key stages;
examine the environmental and neurological factors associated with autism, including its relationship with neurodiversity and how it may overlap with co-occurring profiles such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and pathological demand avoidance (PDA);
recognise the subtle presentation of autism and masking, particularly in girls, and understand how internalised distress can lead to under-identification or misdiagnosis in educational settings;
be empowered to implement practical, neuro-affirming adjustments and adaptive teaching strategies (such as declarative language and environmental scaffolding) designed to support autonomy and remove barriers to learning;
understand the drivers behind Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and establish effective, high-trust systems for working with SENDCos, families and specialists to prioritise a learner’s emotional safety and regulation.

Course Lessons

Written by: Liv Gisby 

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Liv Gisby brings a unique perspective to education, drawing on over 15 years of experience across mainstream and special school settings, combined with four years of service as a Police Detective. Her educational career includes roles as a class teacher across the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), key stage 1 and key stage 2, before specialising as a SENCo for six years, during which she gained the National Award for SEN Coordination. Liv has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and extensive further training in Speech and Language (SALT); Occupational Therapy (OT); Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC); trauma; attachment; and specific learning difficulties, like dyslexia.

As a senior leader, she was responsible for managing staff development and delivering whole-school CPD related to special educational needs. Her ability to navigate complex safeguarding issues and multi-agency work is enhanced by her background as a detective, where she focused on domestic abuse and child protection.

This dual expertise now informs her work creating essential training materials for educators. Liv specialises in bridging the gap between clinical theory, classroom practice and critical welfare needs, ensuring that every resource she develops provides educators with the knowledge and practical tools required to offer truly holistic and impactful support for all pupils.

Presented by: Saleena Sandhu

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Saleena is a Video Content Creator on the CPD team at Twinkl. She has over 10 years of experience as a primary school teacher, having taught across the full primary range from EYFS to year 6. Saleena has also supported and mentored trainee and early career teachers.