NeuroBears and NeuroBears Cubs are fun and informative courses about autistic experiences, developed with and for autistic young people who are beginning to explore and understand their autism.
- NeuroBears is designed for autistic children aged about 8–14 years, and
- NeuroBears Cubs for those aged about 5–8 years
Both programmes are designed to help children learn more about their autism, celebrate their strengths, and share their experiences with parents or carers in a relaxed, supportive way. More information can be found on the NeuroBears website.
What to expect
Both programmes begin with an introductory meeting with you, your child, and two trained postgraduate psychology students from the University of Reading. This is followed by up to seven sessions:
- NeuroBears sessions last around 30–60 minutes,
- NeuroBears Cubs sessions last between 15–30 minutes.
In each session, you and your child will watch one or two short videos and then chat about how the topics relate to your child’s own experiences. There’s also a workbook to jot down thoughts and ideas if you’d like.
If you’re not sure which course suits your child best, our team will help you decide at the first meeting. We can also adjust the pace or number of sessions to fit your child’s needs.
Most sessions take place online, but we do have a few in-person spaces for families who live close to the University of Reading. Courses run from January to June, and there’s no cost to take part.
Topics Covered
Both programmes explore:
- Sensory experiences
- Masking
- Communication preferences
- Autistic strengths
NeuroBears covers these areas in a bit more detail, with longer videos and deeper discussions. More details on the exact content of each programme can be found on the NeuroBears website.
Please note: NeuroBears is an educational course, not a therapy programme.
Who Can Take Part
- Autistic children and young people aged 5–14 years who know they are autistic
- A parent or carer who can attend all sessions together with the child (the programme is designed for children and parents/carers to explore the content together)
- Online access via a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone
- A small number of in-person spaces are available for families living near the University of Reading
Register Your Interest
To learn more or register your interest, please email autism@reading.ac.uk and a member of the team will get in touch with further details.
