The National Autistic Society (NAS) is launching a five-day course to provide sports and exercise professionals with the skills needed to help people with autism to enjoy and benefit from physical activity.

Students will cover all aspects of autism including social relationships, the imaginative differences and how this affects sport, and implementation strategies.

Chris Barson, NAS external training manager, said: “Autism is a developmental disorder that affects around one in 110 people in the UK. There is every chance that at some time, every sports teacher or leisure centre worker will encounter someone with autism.

“Practical experience gained in NAS schools and evidence from experimental literature suggests that physical exercise can positively influence both appropriate and inappropriate behaviours.

“This is a specialised course that gives practical advice on how to ensure people with autism make the most of their sporting experiences.”

The course will be held once a week for five weeks at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College in High Wycombe in November. The closing date for applications is 27 September. Details: www.nas.org.uk