Ifield Smile Centre will provide a 5-week training course at their base in Gravesend.

The sessions, which are promoted by charity Autism Smile East, have been designed to inform parents and carers about autism, will run from January to February.

The course will be accessible to parents and carers whose child has received an early diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and who has yet to start school.

Founder of Autism South East, Mandy Garford said, “As a parent of children on the autistic spectrum it is heartbreaking to see the children in distress.

“To have some of these strategies in a ‘parent toolbox’ is priceless.”

Sessions will cover a range of knowledge on, what is autism, developing play and communication skills, the importance of structure, predictability and visuals and managing tricky behaviours.

Autism South East also provides a range of autism-friendly activities such as music lessons and gaming mornings as well as support groups for parents.

The statistics for those diagnosed with Autism is 1 in 100 people.

The charity is set to run a talk called ‘sensory and motoring strategies’ for support within the home and classroom setting, on January 30.

If you would like to sign up to Autism in Early Years course contact smile@ifiled.kent.sch.uk, to find out more information about what else the charity provides visit at https://www.autismsoutheast.co.uk/