The Power of Guest Speakers and Talking from the Heart about Autism
At Successful Mums, we know that some of the most powerful learning happens when people hear directly from those with lived experience.
For the past five years, our Understanding Autism programmes have combined practical knowledge and employer engagement, but most importantly, autistic voice. This particular programme has a focus on pathways into educational roles.
Alongside our employers that showcase flexible careers and vacancies, we ensure our learners gain insight from those who truly understand neurodivergence from their own personal experience.
Recently, during our Supporting Autism in Education course, we were privileged to partner with The Oaks Specialist College.
We welcomed Michael and Grace, students from The Oaks and experts by experience, into the classroom as co-trainers. Their role wasn’t simply to tell their stories. They were there because their experiences are valuable expertise that can really help shape the future of classroom support.
As part of our Autism course, our learners explore communication preferences, sensory needs and strategies for supporting autistic children and young people in the classroom. These foundations are important, but there is a significant difference between reading about autism and hearing someone say:
“This is how I feel.”
“This is what helps me.”
“This is how I like to be supported.”
Michael and Grace shared their experiences of education, discussed the support strategies that worked for them and challenged common stereotypes.
As Graham Thomas, Corporate Development Lead at The Oaks Specialist College said:
“Once you have met one autistic person, you have met one autistic person.”
This simple statement highlights an important truth. Every autistic individual is unique, with their own strengths, challenges and preferences.
What made the session particularly powerful was that Michael and Grace were recognised for their expertise which is why they were employed as co-trainers to deliver on the course. Their lived experience was valued as knowledge and skill, placing them at the heart of conversations that affect them.
For our learners, it meant gaining practical insight that will shape how they support children and young people in schools and educational settings. For Michael and Grace, it provided meaningful paid work while helping influence future practice.
At Successful Mums, we believe learning should be informative, inspiring and connected to the real world. Partnerships with organisations such as The Oaks Specialist College help us achieve exactly that.
On completion these learners then progress into employment in an educational role.
You can find out more about our courses HERE.
You can read our other Autism blog HERE.
Note: For more information on the Autism Society here As an autistic person, you may or may not consider yourself to be disabled. However, autistic people meet the legal definition of disability in the Equality Act 2010 (and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland) and are protected in UK law regardless of whether they identify as disabled or not.