Understanding Autism

Students

This popular on-line course is designed for learners who wish to develop an understanding of autism and how to support individuals with autism.

Learning outcomes

• Learn about what is meant by autism, theories and diagnosis
• Learn about using a person-centred approach to support individuals with autism
• Develop your understanding of communication and social interaction in individuals with autism
• Learn about sensory processing, perception and cognition in individuals with autism
• Learn how to support positive behaviour in individuals with autism
• Learn how support individuals with autism to live healthy and fulfilled lives

Who is this course for?

This qualification is designed for learners who wish to develop an understanding of autism and how to support individuals with autism for personal reason or who wish to progress into employment where an understanding of autism and knowledge of how to support people with autism is required.

Each unit contains an assessment to demonstrate your knowledge of each subject area. Once you successfully complete all units you will achieve a Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism.

Unit 1: Introduction to autism

• Understand what is meant by ‘autism’
• Know theories that relate to autism
• Know how autism is diagnosed
• Understand the characteristics that may be present in individuals with autism
• Understand common misconceptions surrounding autism.

Unit 2: Using a person-centred approach to support individuals with autism

• Know how legislation and guidance underpins support for individuals with autism
• Understand how to support individuals with autism using a person-centred approach.

Unit 3: Communication and social interaction in individuals with autism

• Understand speech, language and communication in individuals with autism
• Understand how social interaction may differ in individuals with autism
• Know strategies that are used to support communication and social interaction for individuals with autism.

Unit 4: Sensory processing, perception and cognition in individuals with autism

• Understand how individuals with autism process sensory information
• Know how to recognise and support sensory needs
• Understand the cognitive differences individuals with autism may have in processing information.

Unit 5: Supporting positive behaviour in individuals with autism

• Understand behaviour within the context of autism
• Know how to support positive behaviour
• Understand how to support individuals to develop coping strategies.

Unit 6: Supporting individuals with autism to live healthy and fulfilled lives

• Understand the experience of living with autism
• Know how to support individuals to maintain their personal safety
• Understand the purpose of positive risk-taking
• Know how to support individuals with transitions and life events
• Know how to support individuals to access services and facilities
• Know how to support individuals with employment.

Course Duration

10 weeks

Recommended Study

10 hours per week

What computer software will I need?

• An Internet enabled desktop / laptop PC.
• An active email account.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader or similar PDF reader.
• The ability to read / edit Microsoft Word documents using Word or similar (e.g. LibreOffice).

Note: You will specifically need a recent full version (including Excel & PowerPoint) of Microsoft Office for our IT courses.

Supported web browsers

The following browsers are currently supported which all follow a continuous release policy. We will support the latest 2 major versions of each.

• Microsoft Edge
• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Apple Safari

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