Description
The third edition of Understanding and Responding to Autism builds on the successful SPELL framework, extensively updated by a team of autistic authors and allies following years of experience training in different settings. Featuring new and updated material, this resource offers a person-centred, neurodiversity-affirming approach, which reflects the many developments in this field since the last edition. The pack is designed primarily for those who wish to lead classroom-based training, which is the recommended way to deliver training of this kind successfully. Aimed at health and social care workers, professionals in the wider education system and employers looking to improve their workplace, this revision is also relevant for a range of further settings and professionals – including those working in mental health services within the community and criminal justice systems. The updated SPELL framework (3rd edition) in this comprehensive guide, tailored for educators and professionals to enhance autism training and support.
Authors
Dr Julie Beadle-Brown is a researcher, consultant and professor in Intellectual and Developmental Disability.
Richard Mills is an experienced autism advisor, who has chaired numerous research groups, helped to develop NICE guidance and authored multiple scientific papers, chapters and articles on autism.
Ruth Moyse is an experienced trainer and facilitator and is Head of Training and Co-production at AT-Autism. Her research interest is the education of autistic children, and autistic mental health and wellbeing.
Joe Powell is Chief Executive of All Wales People First. He is autistic, with first-hand experience of living in learning disability services.
Dr. Zahilah Filzah is the Director and Consultant Paediatrician at Space A Autism Support Centre in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. She is also an Associate Consultant at AT-Autism and a Licensed SPELL Advanced Trainer.
Contents
About the authors
Introduction
Background
What is SPELL?
Context and ideas
Who is this resource for?
What is included in the pack?
General guidance for trainers
Overview
Timetabling training
Induction presentation
Alternative presentation
Training
Part 1: Understanding autism
Part 2: The SPELL framework
Appendices
Appendix 1: Optional examples
Appendix 2: PowerPoint slides and commentary
Further resources
Audience
Parents and carers of autistic children, young people and adults; teachers; educators; mental health and other health and social care professionals; mental health workers in wider community settings, students of these professions.
Details
Publisher: Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd
ISBN: 9781803884486
Publication date: December 2025
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