Caroline Smith took up her first Educational Psychology post in 1990 after 15 years as a career teacher and Deputy Head of a Primary School, and in 2000 was awarded a Doc Ed Psych, completed whilst working as a specialist Senior EP. Caroline has held specialist Senior EP posts in Early Years and in Autism, culminating with a Principal EP role in 2003. Having retired from the PEP role in 2008, Caroline pursued a freelance training career working solely in the areas of Autism and Childhood Anxiety. Currently Caroline trains professionals and parents in matters connected with Autism, for example, behaviour management, communication and play. She is also a licensed trainer on the internationally acclaimed World Health Organisation's recognised programme, FRIENDS for Life, a universal preventative programme in the area of childhood anxiety and co-authored 'Special FRIENDS' a new 2015 addition to the FRIENDS materials focusing on the needs of young people with ASD