This extensive course will enhance participants' comprehension of autism spectrum conditions, offering valuable perspectives on the traits, obstacles, and assets of individuals with autism. During this course, attendees will delve into fundamental ideas on autism, dispel prevalent misunderstandings, and acquire skills to establish welcoming settings that aid individuals with autism. By promoting understanding and compassion, this program provides learners with concrete insights to improve their engagements with individuals on the autism spectrum.

This course is separated into four modules of learning:

Module One: Introduction to Autism
In Module One, participants will delve into the fundamentals of autism, including its definition, prevalence in the UK, diagnostic process, and various aspects and terms associated with the disorder. This module serves as a foundational understanding of autism spectrum disorders.

Module Two: Four Key Areas of Difference
Module Two focuses on exploring the four key areas of difference linked to autism diagnoses: social understanding, sensory processing, interests and information processing, and communication. Participants will examine the strengths, challenges, common traits, and how to identify these aspects in the pupils they support.

Module Three: Person-Centred Approaches
This module delves into person-centred approaches, emphasizing principles of inclusion and best practices for creating inclusive environments. Participants will be introduced to formal and informal approaches that promote positive inclusion in classrooms, encouraging self-reflection on effective practices to support students in their care.

Module Four: Reducing Anxiety for Autistic Pupils and Enabling Environments
Module Four addresses strategies for reducing anxiety among autistic pupils by optimizing the physical environment of the school or setting. Participants will explore how specific aspects of the environment can trigger stress and anxiety in autistic pupils and learn how to make reasonable adjustments to create supportive environments that enhance the well-being of autistic students in educational settings.