Autistic adults in Hampshire can now participate in special workshops aimed at boosting understanding of their condition.

This opportunity was made possible after Autism Hampshire received funding from the Hampshire County Council to deliver a programme that was formerly exclusive to Southampton.

The workshops, designed by and for autistic adults, seek to help those participating gain a thorough insight into their diagnosis.

In so doing, participants are encouraged to embrace their identity rather than submitting to societal pressures to adapt or mask their condition.

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Accredited by CPD, these workshops, when feasible, are directed by an autistic trainer.

Each workshop encompasses six two-hour sessions, allowing for a maximum of 10 participants to cultivate a nurturing and participatory setting.

Beyond these workshops, Autism Hampshire also provides personalised training courses customised to meet the individual needs of persons or of specific organisations.

These specially tailored programmes are devised to assist employers or individuals in a variety of circumstances, such as facilitating workplace adjustments to accommodate autistic colleagues.

Those interested in participating can sign up for a workshop or gain additional information about Autism Hampshire’s customised training courses on autismhampshire.org.uk/ or by sending an email to trainingadmin@autismhampshire.org.uk.

Service manager for external training at Autism Hampshire, Katie Board, said: "From the similar workshop commissioned in Southampton, we have received fantastic feedback from participants.

"We know that workshops like this are incredibly important as people may have fought for years to get a diagnosis and then can feel lost. These workshops will hopefully bring more of an understanding to their lives and show them that support is available, whatever your age."