Professional training and parent workshops

Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) training and certification is designed for allied health professionals to provide communication support for parents and caregivers of young autistic children. The evidence-based approach helps parents and caregivers understand and communicate more effectively with their child by promoting the development of social communication.

Check out this blog which discusses the benefits of PACT, how it works and how clinicians can become a certified PACT therapist.

Level One - Introductory training

A half-day independent e-learning program which covers the theory behind PACT and begins to introduce PACT concepts. Delegates must complete Level One training before beginning Level Two - PACT practitioner training.

Level Two - PACT professional certified online training

This level consists of four half-days of online training with a PACT trainer covering the core principles and the current evidence for PACT, demonstrating the model in use through video. The training also provides opportunities for practical application of the concepts through role play and small breakout discussions. Training is followed by group and individual post-course supervision and support to complete the post-course fidelity requirements. Completion of Level 2 and the accompanying post-course work will qualify the professional to administer PACT.

A Level 2 PACT accreditation certificate is issued to professionals who complete Level 1 and Level 2 PACT training as well as pass their post-course fidelity requirements.

Who can attend?

The training is designed for allied health professionals, para-professionals, and other related service providers.

2025 PACT Training Dates (subject to change)

• Level 2 Training - 20, 21, 27 and 28 May, 9am-1pm (AWST)
• Group Supervision - 9 July, 9am-1pm (AWST)

• Level 2 Training – 17, 18, 24 and 25 June, 9am-1pm (AWST)
• Group Supervision – 6 August, 9am-1pm (AWST)

• Level 2 Training – 29, 30 September and 6, 7 October, 9am-1pm (AWST)
• Group Supervision – 11 November, 9am-1pm (AWST)

Cost: $2850 (inclusive. GST) which includes:

• Introductory e-learning course
• 4 half-days of online interactive training with PACT professional
• Group and individual post-course supervision and support
• PACT e-manual and forms

Where: Fully online via Zoom. Links will be sent to delegates following payment and completion of the Level 1 e-learning program.

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Do you work with children diagnosed with autism experiencing anxiety?

The CUES© (Coping with Uncertainty in Everyday Situations) program is designed to address anxiety relating to uncertainty experienced by children and young people diagnosed with autism. This parent/caregiver group program focuses on addressing difficulties with uncertainty, providing parents/caregivers with strategies and tools to assist their child to develop a more flexible approach to uncertainty and reduce anxiety around uncertainty.

This two-session workshop will provide clinicians and autism professionals with a greater understanding of why uncertainty is a particular challenge for some children on the spectrum and how to deliver this group program in clinical settings for families whose children are experiencing these difficulties.

Who can attend?

This training is designed for clinicians/autism professionals who wish to deliver CUES© in their service or practice.

You will be required to attend two training workshops. Following attendance at both of the workshops we will provide you with:

• The CUES© Therapist Manual (PDF)
• PowerPoint slides for the 8 therapy sessions
• All corresponding handouts and worksheets for parents (PDFs)
• A copy of the Uncertain Situations semi-structured interview (PDF)
• A certificate of attendance

After the second workshop we will send you an anonymous feedback form to get some feedback from you about the training to help us to plan for future sessions.

2025 CUES Training Dates

When: 10 and 17 April, 2025

Where: Fully online via Zoom. Links will be sent to delegates following payment.

Time: 3pm - 6pm AWST

Cost: $495 (inclusive GST) for the training and all of the materials.

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What is the ADOS-2?

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition (ADOS-2) is a standardised observational assessment of the social, play and communication skills of individuals who may be on the autism spectrum. It is considered a gold standard assessment tool in the diagnosis of autism.

ADOS-2 Training covers Modules 1-4, which allows for the assessment of individuals from as young as 31-months-old and through to adulthood, at all levels of language ability. This course covers:

• Introduction to the administration and coding of the ADOS-2 Modules 1-4.
• Opportunities to watch and code videoed administration of the ADOS Modules 1-4.
• Practical use of the ADOS with a volunteer and individual feedback.
• Discussion of the application and interpretation of the ADOS-2 and how it relates to autism diagnostic assessment.

Trainees should come away from the training confident to develop their fluency in the use of the ADOS-2 in their clinical setting. Upon completion, trainees receive a certificate to confirm that they have completed ADOS-2 Module 1-4 Training.

Additional training (2-day ADOS-2 Toddler Training) is required to learn the ADOS-2 Toddler Module, which is most suitable for the assessment of toddlers 31-months-old and younger.

Check out this blog which discusses the essentials parents and clinicians need to know about ADOS.

Who can attend?
The course is open to Speech Pathologists, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Psychiatrists and Paediatricians. Previous experience working with autistic individuals and their families is required.

ADOS-2 Training Dates - 2025 (subject to change)

When: 13, 14, 24 and 25 February, 2025 (delegates must attend 4 online workshops) 

Where: Fully online

Time: 9-5pm (AWST)

Cost: $2200 (incl. GST)

***** SOLD OUT *****

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What is the ADOS-2 Toddler Module?

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition (ADOS-2) is a standardised observational assessment of the social, play and communication skills of individuals who may be on the autism spectrum. It is considered a gold standard clinical and research assessment tool in the diagnostic evaluation of autism. 

The Toddler Module of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) is a fifth module that is specifically designed to support the assessment of children aged between 12 and 30-months. The Toddler Module is closely related to the other modules of the ADOS-2 (Modules 1-4) but requires additional advanced training. As such, the training is specific to those with: 

• Experience and knowledge of administration and coding of the standard ADOS-2 Modules (Modules 1-4)
• Experience and knowledge of early childhood development, including how developmental differences can emerge during early childhood  

The Toddler Module offers new and modified versions of ADOS activities appropriate for very young children and is intended to support the observation of early developmental differences linked with autism. The ADOS-2 Toddler Clinical Training does not review any of the content from the ADOS-2 Advanced Clinical Training. 

Trainees should come away from the training confident to develop their fluency in the use of the ADOS-2 Toddler Module in their clinical setting. Upon completion, trainees receive a certificate to confirm that they have completed ADOS-2 Toddler Module Training.

Who can attend?

Important Prerequisite:

To be eligible to attend the ADOS-2 Toddler Clinical Training clinicians must be able to provide evidence that they have previously completed the ADOS-2 Advanced Clinical Training (4-Day Course) and they must have had sufficient experience to develop fluency in using Modules 1-4. 

For training consistence, the ADOS-2 training must have been completed at the following organisations: La Trobe University, UWA or CliniKids. Proof of this training is required prior to attending. 

The ADOS-2 Toddler Clinical Training is intended for practitioners who intend to use the ADOS-2 Toddler Module in clinical contexts for the identification of developmental differences associated with autism in children less than 31-months-old.  

The course is open to practitioners and researchers who plan to use the ADOS-2 Toddler Module in clinical practice for autism diagnostic assessments. Appropriate practitioners include: 

• Speech Pathologists
• Psychologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Psychiatrists
• Paediatricians

Previous experience working with autistic individuals and their families is required, as well as experience working with infants and toddlers (recommended minimum experience is 3-years in both areas).  

ADOS-2 Toddler Module Training Dates – 2025 (still to come)

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Register your interest for ADOS-2 Toddler training

This online self-paced course explores the Recommendations included within the National Guideline for the assessment and diagnosis of autism in Australia. The course encompasses the entire Guideline, from Guiding Principles to Diagnostic Evaluation.

Content is presented within innovative eLearning software, which allows for self-directed and flexible learning options. The course has a structured learner journey and clear module objectives. The first section provides foundational information aligned with three essential areas:

• Introducing the National Guideline
• Foundations of practice
• Assessment and diagnosis process.

At the heart of the course is the ‘Guideline in Practice’ module which presents four hypothetical assessment and diagnostic case studies. Throughout this module, participants will find highlighted guideline Recommendations, community insights, and Good Practice Points. This deep dive, supported by pause-and-reflect questions, allows participants to consider their current practices against the Guideline's best practice Recommendations.

The course also includes short practitioner insight videos to extend learning and a suite of downloadable resources to support implementing the Guideline into practice.

This course is ideal for practitioners interested in adopting a best-practice, evidence-based approach aligned with Guideline (any psychologist, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, general practitioner, paediatrician, psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, mental health nurse practitioner, registered nurse, or social worker that support individuals and families with autism assessment and diagnosis).

Estimated course duration: Approx. four (4) hours to complete (please note: participants may need to consider extra time to review the supporting materials and to read the Guideline in full). 

Cost: $240 including GST.

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Autistic children deserve a childhood full of love, family, fun, learning and personal discovery.

This online self-paced short course explores the Recommendations included within the National Guideline for supporting the learning, participation, and wellbeing of autistic children and their families in Australia.

The course has been designed for practitioners, families, service providers, educators, peak bodies, and government agencies.

For practitioners, the modules have been developed to allow you to effectively implement the Guideline Recommendations within practice when selecting, planning, delivering and monitoring supports. Lessons highlight the importance of working in a partnership and coordinating supports for the learning, participation and wellbeing of autistic children and their families.

Content is presented within innovative eLearning software, which allows for self-directed and flexible learning options.

A core element of the course is the integration of three in-depth Guideline in Practice case studies which all link back to the Guideline Recommendations and important community insights. Learners are provided with opportunities to:

• identify Guideline Recommendations that are relevant to clinical decision-making within the case studies
• contrast and make use of information coming from different points of view including those of autistic people, family members, and practitioners
• relate the information in the Guideline and the case study to your situation (e.g., work, life)
• develop a plan for how you will apply the Guideline to your situation (e.g., work, life).

Essential downloadable resources are provided, such as a Journey planner for caregivers, a Guideline summary for practitioners, a Plausible, Practical, Desirable, and Defensible framework template, and a Guiding Principles poster to support practitioners with Guideline implementation.

This course is ideal for practitioners interested in implementing a best-practice, evidence-based approach within their clinical setting.

Estimated course duration: Approx. four (4) hours to complete (please note: participants may need to consider extra time to review the supporting materials and to read the Guideline in full). 

Cost: $240 including GST.

Register now

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CliniKids is excited to introduce an online autism seminar series in 2024, designed to inform families, clinicians and educators about the latest autism topics and research.  
 
Held quarterly, the free online seminars will include presentations by leading autism experts on topics such as mental health, education and early therapies and supports.  

The next seminar - Five tips for helping autistic kids communicate - will be held on November 21 and be delivered by Professor Andrew Whitehouse (CliniKids Director and Professor of Autism Research at The Kids Research Institute Australia) and Sarah Pillar (Research Development Manager at CliniKids).

In this free seminar, Andrew and Sarah will share five key reflections on what they have learned from working with autistic children, their families, and those who seek to support them. Both speakers will focus on the practical things people can do to help children reach their full potential, with the suggestions based on what we know from research; what has been learned through practice; and what autistic children, young people, and adults have shown us and told us is helpful. 

Register for this seminar here.

Registration for the seminar is necessary to gain access to the webinar link. A recording of the presentation will be able to be viewed for up to a fortnight after the presentation by those who register.  

We look forward to sharing the latest autism research with you soon! 

We also offer a range of presentations and workshops about topics related to childhood development and supporting autistic children. These presentations are suitable for parents, educators and the wider community, and are delivered by our clinicians.

If you’re interested in finding out more about our presentations and workshops, contact clinikids.reception@thekids.org.au

We are dedicated to building capacity within families and providing you with the information, support and tools to help families achieve their goals.

CliniKids hosts a range of free and paid parent and family workshops, groups and webinars throughout the year. These workshops are facilitated by our experienced clinicians and researchers. This includes a new online Autism Seminar Series in 2024.

We are always interested in hearing what would make a difference for you so if you have identified a need for a workshop or support in the community, please let us know.

Please note: Our new workshops are currently under construction and will soon be listed.

If you would like to be on our mailing list, please email clinikids.training@thekids.org.au