COURSE OVERVIEW:

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people behave and interact with the world around them. It may be mild, moderate or severe.  The main features of autism are difficulty in social interactions and communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests. Children with autism may be highly intelligent, of normal intelligence or have learning difficulties.

Parents may notice that their child’s behaviour is unusual in the first few years of life. Early signs may include delayed speech, repetitive behaviours such as rocking or twirling, or spending hours focusing intently on one thing. Children with autism may lack interest in playing with other children, and in severe cases may show no interest in the surrounding world at all.

A child with autism might have trouble:

• talking and learning the meaning of words
• making friends or fitting in
• dealing with changes (like trying new foods, having a substitute teacher, or having toys moved from their normal places)
• dealing with loud noises, bright lights, or crowds

Children also might move in an unusual way (like flapping their hands) or do the same thing over and over (like saying the same word).

A child with autism may have a little trouble with these things, or a lot. Some kids need only a little bit of help, and others might need a lot of help with learning and doing everyday stuff.

The umbrella term ‘autism spectrum disorder’ (ASD) describes all levels of autism, from those individuals requiring support, those requiring substantial support and those more severely affected and requiring very substantial support.

This course starts by summarising the main features of Autism and then explains the commonly-used terms. Then discusses the basics that any interested parent or professional needs to know about Autism. Then explores the main features of the triad of impairments, highlighting how each area may be recognised. Also provides the speculation abounds about possible causes of Autism and the main theories in regards to Autism are examined.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand:

• What is the autistic spectrum?
• The triad of impairments
• Impairment of communication in children with autism
• What is echolalia?
• What is meant by pronominal reversal?
• How language is used in inappropriate or unconventional ways?
• Why some autistic children have problems using and processing nonverbal communication?
• Why some autistic children miss implicit instructions and requests within speech?
• Why some autistic children have problems with speech that is not literal?
• Why is it difficult for autistic children to say the right thing, in the right place, at the right time?
• The pedantic and overly formal speech
• Impairment of social interaction
• Why some autistic children are rigid in thinking?
• Why some autistic children have problems with abstract concepts?
• Why some autistic children have difficulty in accepting what might happen in the future?
• How impairment in imagination is shown through play?
• Why some autistic children have limited scope ?
• Why some autistic children have difficulty playing with peers?
• Why some autistic children have the inability to engage in make-believe/pretend play?
• The other associated features that can appear alongside the triad of impairments
• Why repetitive behaviour patterns are comfortable for some autistic children?
• Why some autistic children have problems with motor skills and control?
• What is meant by savant skills?
• The gender bias on the autistic spectrum
• The different subgroups within the autistic spectrum
• What is the Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Pervasive Developmental Disorder?
• The Kanner’s autism
• The Asperger syndrome and loners
• The Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
• The Pathological Demand Avoidance syndrome (PDA)
• The Semantic Pragmatic Disorder (SPD)
• The disorders associated with the autistic spectrum
• The myths of autism
• The psychological factors that might cause autism
• The environmental factors that might cause autism
• The genetic factors that might cause autism
• The cognitive deficits explaining autism

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.