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Understanding Autism

Jill Bradshaw, Mark O'Connor, George Watts, Tony Osgood, Fiona Gullon-Scott, Clare L Melvin, Damian Milton, Elisabeth Gale, and Krysia Waldock

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more You don’t need any prior experience or qualifications to do this course but it might be of interest to practitioners in the field of autism, healthcare workers, people on the autism spectrum, and parents or carers. It is ideal for anyone considering postgraduate study in the field, such as the PCert in Autism Studies at the University of Kent. You can use the hashtag #FLautism to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

What is autism
Social communication skills
Sensory sensitivities and repetitive behaviours
Co-occurring conditions
Strengths and difficulties of people on the autism spectrum
Lived experiences of people on the autism spectrum

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Reviews summary

Accessible introduction to understanding autism

According to learners, this course from the University of Kent provides a positive and accessible introduction to understanding autism. Many found the content to be clear and well-explained, covering key topics like social communication, sensory sensitivities, and co-occurring conditions. Reviewers particularly valued the inclusion of perspectives from individuals on the autism spectrum, which many felt added significant depth and real-world relevance. The course is frequently highlighted as being helpful for various audiences, including parents, educators, and those new to the subject. While praised as an excellent starting point, some more experienced learners noted it provides a good overview rather than deep, advanced knowledge.

Provides a solid foundation for beginners.

"This course provided such a clear and comprehensive introduction to understanding autism."

"It gave me a solid foundation and inspired me to learn more."

"A really good overview. It covers the main areas well and provides a good starting point."

"Perfect if you're new to the subject and want a reliable overview."

Helpful for diverse backgrounds and needs.

"...Incredibly helpful for parents and educators alike. Highly recommended!"

"A well-structured course... suitable for beginners and those looking for a general understanding."

"This helped me immensely as a parent in understanding my child better."

"Valuable insights for my work as a teacher supporting autistic students."

Includes perspectives from individuals.

"I particularly appreciated the modules that featured perspectives from individuals on the spectrum."

"The focus on lived experiences was powerful and added so much depth."

"Hearing directly from autistic people was invaluable and necessary."

"The inclusion of different viewpoints, including personal accounts, adds significant value."

Concepts are presented clearly and accessibly.

"This course provided such a clear and comprehensive introduction to understanding autism. The topics covered were well-explained..."

"The material was presented in a way that was accessible to someone like me who had no prior knowledge."

"Lectures broke down complex ideas simply and made them easy to grasp."

"I found the content logical and easy to follow."

Not deeply in-depth on all topics.

"I wish some topics went into a little more depth..."

"Not an advanced course, but doesn't claim to be."

"Could go deeper on certain aspects for practitioners."

"Felt very basic and didn't cover the complexities I was hoping for."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Understanding Autism. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Understanding Autism will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Uniquely Human: Updated and Expanded

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This comprehensive guide provides an overview of autism spectrum disorders, including the latest research on causes, diagnosis, and treatment. It is written by leading experts in the field and valuable resource for parents, professionals, and anyone else who wants to learn more about autism.

Understanding Autism

Topics Covered

Topics Covered

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Reviews summary

Accessible introduction to understanding autism

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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