Autism Awareness - Advanced

Syllabus

Module One: ASD Overview

At the end of Module One, learners should be able to:

• explain what ‘autism spectrum’ means
• describe the main symptoms and manifestations of autism relating to the core ‘triad’ of difficulties in social communication, social interaction, and social imagination
• outline the main diagnostic sub-groups (Asperger’s, Autism, PDD-NOS) within the autism spectrum family of conditions
• outline the ways symptoms vary in their expression and severity between individuals and sub-groups on the spectrum, and between specific age groups (children, teens, adults)

Module Two: History of autism diagnosis

At the end of Module Two, learners should be able to:

• outline key discoveries in the history of autism research and practice
• consider procedures and some of the problems involved in identifying and diagnosing autistic conditions (children, teens, adults; males, females)
• critically consider claims concerning the prevalence of autism across different time periods and in different populations

Module Three: Modern science supporting the condition

At the end of Module Three, learners should be able to:

• outline the explanations – particularly psychological and biological – of what is currently known about the causes and manifestations of autism
• outline recent psychological and biological research findings concerning the causes of autism
• understand some of the scientific research areas through which autism is being explored and how these can help people with autism

Module Four: Education, communication and theory of mind

At the end of Module Four, learners should be able to:

• discuss the implications of autism on education, and consider what educational options may be available for the child or young person on the autism spectrum
• explain Theory of Mind, especially with regards to communication, and the difficulties that can arise from an underdeveloped Theory of Mind.
• outline interventions that have been developed by psychologists to teach autistic children theory of mind, and to assist them with false-belief training.

Module Five: Intervention and support

At the end of Module Five, learners should be able to:

• outline the main approaches to care and therapeutic interventions for people on the autism spectrum
• discuss issues that relate to family, social support services, and adulthood in people on the spectrum
• outline the differences in assumptions about autism within ethnic minorities and across the world, and how these affect provision for people with autism

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 120 hrs.