North Lancashire Directions Group
Parent Carer Network
Cygnets Services
North Lancashire
Unfortunately, the Cygnets Programme is no longer being delivered in the North Lancashire Area.
Parent / carers core programme
This programme is designed for parents and carers of children and young people aged 5-18 with an autistic spectrum condition. The programme is designed to:
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to increase parents understanding of autistic spectrum conditions
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to help parents develop their knowledge on how a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world and what drives their behaviour
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to guide parents through practical strategies they can use with children
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to direct parents to relevant ASC resources
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to give parents the opportunity to meet with other parents who have had similar experiences and to gain support and learn from each other
This is a core Cygnet programme which is delivered over six, two and a half - three hour sessions which sequentially work towards behaviour management and covers a number of topics:
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Autism & diagnosis
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Communication
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Sensory Issues
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Understanding behaviour
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Managing behaviour
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Choice of topic decided by parents/carers
Downloads
These two additional sessions aim to acknowledge the concerns that parents may have in relation to children with a brother or sister on the autistic spectrum.
Each session should last between 2–2½ hours and can be delivered to parents who have accessed the Cygnet, National Autistic Society Early Bird or Early Bird Plus programmes.
■ Styles of sibling development
■ Through sibling’s eyes
■ Through parent’s eyes
■ Practical strategies
Puberty, sexual wellbeing and relationships
Cygnet for professionals
Cygnet offers a training programme for organisations to provide their own two day training for their staff . This training is for staff who work with children on the autistic spectrum to enhance their knowledge and explore a toolkit of strategies to use with children and young people.
Day One
This provides staff with an understanding of the different characteristics of Autism and how these can be displayed in behaviour. The training looks at the following areas in further detail:
■ Social Interaction
■ Communication
■ Rigidity, Imagination and Obsessions
■ Sensory Issues.
Day Two
This training builds on the first day’s training to explore different behaviour management frameworks and strategies to use with children on the autistic spectrum.
The training looks at the following areas:
■ Behaviour framework assessment tools
■ Communication aids
■ Strategies to reduce sensory anxiety
■ Key principles for behaviour management
Supporting Siblings
These three additional sessions aim to put parents in the shoes of their child to explore a potentially confused understanding of their body, sexual desires and relationships. Each session should last between 2½–3 hours and can be delivered to parents who have accessed the Cygnet, National Autistic Society Early Bird or Early Bird Plus programmes. Evidence suggests that the materials used in these sessions can also be beneficial when used directly with young people on the autistic spectrum.
The PSWR sessions have a different delivery style to the core and sibling sessions. Because of the subject matter and after consultation it was felt a far more activity based programme would enhance learning and mutual support