Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer ABA tutor with Autism Support UK.
We are always looking for experienced ABA therapists to volunteer to work 1:1 with our amazing children with an Autism Spectrum Condition.
Why volunteer?
- Well firstly offering your time and experience to help those who struggle is a great thing to do – seeing the children shine and the impact you make on the lives of the children and their families is a great feeling – one that’s pretty hard to beat!
- It is also a great opportunity for you as an ABA tutor: training is free which is a great bonus –
- It’s a fabulous opportunity for you to advance in your career
- The experience you get in the ASUK setting is amazing and not available in your everyday roles as a therapist
- You will be teaching parents and taking on a different role – helping parents with Data taking, modelling targets and supporting both parents and children
- You will gain more experience in working with different parents and children giving you further advanced knowledge over different children, abilities and age groups
- We will provide you with a certificate of participation and attendance for those who complete the full course and a reference will be available at the end of the intake.
- It really is a wonderful opportunity and great for your CV.
The positions are on Saturdays over a 10 week period. You will be given the relevant training via training days and on the job coaching by Behavioural supervisors and our head behaviourist.
You will be working alongside other ABA therapists and help support up to 30 children with Autism ranging between ages 18 months old to 9 years old. This will provide you with a rich understanding of the Autism Spectrum, different programmes, different forms of communication targets and so much more.
We look forward to welcoming you to Autism Support UK and becoming part of our ASUK Family.
Click here to register Volunteer Today
Below is what our Volunteers say:
Megan Owen
Megan Owen
When I found out that a Programme to support children with autism and behavioural difficulties was being created, I thought it was an amazing opportunity to be involved and become a volunteer.
The reason I wanted to volunteer, was because I wanted to gain more experience working with children with additional needs. Currently I have experience working with children as I've been a childcare student for four years; but I wanted to have more experience working with children with autism. This is because, I want to become a special needs teacher, in the future.
When I met Linzi, Kirsty and Vanessa they gave all the new volunteers such a warm welcome, they were all such friendly and caring people who gave us such excellent advice and provided good activities to give us a taste of what it would be like following the ABA programme.
When we attended the training session it allowed us to understand what we were going to focus on when working with the children and how to understand the target system. It also helped us understand how to complete ABA observations and learn the different forms of prompts we give children.
When I attended the training session I enjoyed meeting the people I would work with and allowed not to be so anxious when starting on my first day.
When the Saturday School started, the atmosphere felt amazing. All the positivity from everyone, made you feel happy; as soon as you walked through the door. I worked in group 1 with the youngest children. This room worked on targets alongside play, which was great.
When I first met the child I was pairing with was the best feeling in the world. She was such a joy to work with week after week. As the weeks progressed her smiles were getting bigger and brighter; just as astounding as the sunshine. Working with a child who gave no eye contact and didn't know how to play, I thought it was going to be a challenge. By the time she finished her eye contact was in incredible. Also being able to give her mobility opportunities was incredible.
It was great to have parents who trust you and value you and your practice with their child. When they walked away with big smiles on their faces, it helped you realise what a difference your making for that family, which makes me feel privileged.
This made me feel so proud of her and happy to be part of her play, learning and development.
I cannot wait to continue working at the Saturday School, Autism Support UK.
It has been such a great opportunity, I've learnt so much. Thank you 'Autism Support UK'
Charlotte Booker
Charlotte Booker
When I heard about Autism Support Uk I just knew I had to get involved. I completed an online survey and wasn't really sure what to expect after that... But it has been absolutely one of the BEST things I have ever, ever done!
There are no words to describe how much I enjoyed it and how happy I am that I got involved!
I am a qualified primary school teacher and I absolutely LOVE what I do but I have always been interested in special educational needs, especially autism as I have been affected by this personally (a family member of mine has been diagnosed with autism) and professionally (teaching children with autism). So Autism Support UK seemed the perfect opportunity for me to develop knowledge and skills in ABA. The whole process from start to finish was so well-organised, so inspirational and so rewarding. The training session was incredible, so much information and lots of practical activities which provided the best opportunities to try out everything you had learned, it really opened my eyes to ABA! It was amazing and really helped to prepare me for the first day at Saturday School.
The 12 weeks that followed were SO much fun. The progress I saw in the little boy that I tutored was absolutely incredible and SO rewarding! So much so that I have signed up to the next Saturday Club because I just want to do it all over again and I can't wait to develop my knowledge, understanding and skills even further!
Not only is Saturday School an amazing way to become involved with ABA and develop some amaaaaaazing skills but it is also a wonderful family. I made some really amazing friends at Autism Support UK and the way everyone supported one another was unbelievable! The volunteers, group leads, supervisors, parents and children.. We all made a fabulous team!
So I would just like to say a HUGE thank you to Linzi, Kirsty & Vanessa, all the group leads and all the volunteers for the best 12 weeks ever, who would have thought you could have so much fun whilst doing something so rewarding! Thank you for such an amazing opportunity, for opening my eyes to ABA and for teaching me everything I now know. I can't wait to do it all over again!
Michelle Mack
Michelle Mack
I have two nephews diagnosed with Autism, and my son has undiagnosed mild learning and behaviour difficulties.First hand experience of Autism teaches that these children are so very special, and are not bad or broken, simply different. I learnt of ABA through Uni, and was immediately excited by the prospect of being a part of a team that can change these children's lives. When I did the training I realised that ABA is something we ALL do every day without realising, and tutoring at the Saturday Club, and the resulting changes in the children, just proves how amazingly effective it is. All children should have the opportunity to participate in life, free from stigma and exclusion, and ABA helps make that a reality. I am proud to be part of the fantastic Autism Support UK team!
Lucy Mitchell
Lucy Mitchell
Volunteering with Autism UK has been one of my best experiences to date. To be able to volunteer with such a passionate, caring and motivated team was both inspiring and educating. The reason I wanted to volunteer was because I wanted to gain more experience with children and families. When I came across Autism Support UK and read more about the programmes they offered I instantly wanted to find out more and get involved. The programme has set up a really nice environment that is enjoyable to attend, my role was in the sibling room. Where I got to spend time with the siblings of those who had autism, there has been such a friendly playful atmosphere created by Autism Support UK that not only did the children enjoy but I also did to. It was amazing to see the children develop each week and have fun, relax and enjoy their time being able to do whatever they wanted. Not only did the children learn each week, things like sharing, socialising and turn-taking, but I did too. Autism Support has helped me develop great skills like; positive management of children’s behaviour, communicating, setting up learning opportunities related to play, safeguarding of children and motivating children to learn. The skills I have learnt are priceless and are all down to the amazing staff members at Autism Support UK. It was brilliant to be part of such a hard working team and seeing the improvement in children week to week is so rewarding. I couldn’t recommend volunteering at Autism Support UK enough. It is the perfect environment to gain experience, learn, develop and also have fun.
Vicky Whiting
Vicky Whiting
I volunteered at Autism Support UK so I could gain more experience working with children on the Autism Spectrum. This experience enabled me to expand my knowledge of Autism and acquire new information on Applied Behaviour Analysis, something I was unfamiliar with. I have volunteered for Autism Support UK twice, both employing two different models of support for the children. This experience enabled me to see first hand what Autism Support UK achieve, and how their service really changes the lives of autistic children. Earlier this year I was diagnosed with Autism myself, so I felt I was able to build a rapport with the children and understand how to support them best. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with both staff, parents and children, and this has been an amazing experience. Autism Support UK offer personalised, professional support and really do change lives and offer so much to families. I would be more than happy to volunteer again in the future.
Flor Accorinti
Flor Accorinti
Volunteering at ASUK was such an amazing experience for me. I am studying Applied Behaviour Analysis so I was looking to develop my skills in this subject. When I have found the webpage of this organisation I have decided to apply and I cannot stress enough how positive this experience was for me. The training we have received is comprehensive and effective as it prepares you to give your very best every Saturday and makes you aware not only about the theoretical aspect of the training but also how to help the kids and their families effectively every weekend. Above all, I have to say that observing measurable progress in the kids was by far the best part of this. I cannot describe with enough words the feeling of excitement and joy you have when you are aware that thanks to your time and commitment are making a real contribution to the lives and futures of those kids and their parents. That joy was also shared with the parents that walked away with big smiles and hope. I am really looking forward to be involved in future cohorts at ASUK and I have to say a massive thank you for letting me be part of this, specially to Linzi, Kirsty and Toni. Thank you ASUK!
Carli Jade Griffiths-Woods
Carli Jade Griffiths-Woods
As a psychology student and my passion for wanting to make a difference, I wanted to gain some experience working with children with additional needs. So when I heard about ASUK, I couldnt wait to sign up and it has been one of the best experiences ever. Meeting Linzi, Kirsty and the team at first was honestly quite overwhelming. You could see just how close and enthusiastic they was about Saturday School. But everyone is just so friendly and supportive, they make you feel like part of the team from the beginning. My plan was to do just one cohort to further my knowledge and understanding in this area. However, I was paired with a incredible little boy and seeing the changes from week to week is so rewarding. So much so I returned for a second cohort, this time working with the parents as well as their children. It was nice to get to know each child, gaining a better understanding of different abilities, with the parents more active involvement, and us there to support. I class each cohort as a journey, one you get to be apart of and see the transformation of each child. Its amazing being part of such an fantastic team. It wouldn't be possible without you all at ASUK. Thank you!
