Autism Spectrum Conditions

This module will benefit you and your setting in a wide variety of ways. Over the duration of the course, you will:

• Gain the ability to critically evaluate the concept of autism with reference to literature and research
• Develop in depth knowledge of the range of approaches and interventions advocated for supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in schools so that you can put these into practice in your setting
• Have confidence in identifying links between the concept of the Autism Spectrum and individual needs in the school setting
• Be able to close the autism support and teaching gaps in your setting
• Make a real difference to children and young people with autism, and allow you to provide each individual within your care with the best possible outcome through practice-led learning
• Attain 30 Masters level (Level 7) credits which you can put towards a PGCert, PGDip or Master of Education on any of our Masters Programmes

The module is split into three strands:

Strand one: Personal perspectives and profiling the individual

• Explore your setting by considering the personal perspectives on the management and support of learners diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum – including carers and other professionals involved in supporting them.
• Consider the personal accounts of individuals affected by autism and investigate the experience of colleagues in your setting who work with learners with autism. You will also reflect on the history and development of the concept of autism and the autism spectrum.
• Choose a learner in your setting to become the focus of this strand’s profiling activities. You will bring your colleagues on board and liaise closely with them during the process.
• Develop a profiling framework to put together a rich picture of the case history and the current interventions that are in place for the focus learner.
• You will then analyse the information that you have gathered in relation to the dominant psychological models of autism spectrum conditions. By summarising the distinct areas of need that you have identified, you will create future intervention strategies for your focus learner.

Strand two: Exploring practice and policy in your setting

• Using the information that you have gathered from looking at a particular individual in the first strand, you will use the Autism Education Trust (AET) National Autism Standards for Schools and Educational Setting framework to consider the impact of systemic organisation and approaches within a setting.
• You will then visit an ASC specialist provision and consider that setting through selected aspects of the AET framework. You will then carry out an audit using aspects of the AET framework to support your analysis. Following this, you will draft appropriate strategies that you believe will improve the rating of your setting against the specified standards that you have chosen.
• Finally, you will combine the information gathered, the audit and the proposed next steps action plan into a report that you will discuss with your manager/headteacher.

Strand three: Developing an action plan for change

• At this point, you will bring together all of your work so far. The essential question being: What will you have learned about your setting in light of the current research evidence on the effectiveness of Autism Spectrum Conditions provision and the range of interventions available?
• You will then create a research and provision map relating interventions in your setting to the research base. You will bring this together with the data that you gathered during your audit and draft the next steps for your setting and on a personal, professional level.
• Discuss the resulting report with your manager/headteacher and create a personal and systemic action plan for change for those with autism spectrum disorders in your setting.

• Our courses are delivered through Campus Online, our unique provision for online learning.
• Campus Online allows you to study at your own pace, without the need to travel, or commit to particular dates or times. Log in to access your study materials, contact your personal tutor for support, connect and network with other delegates and make use of the extensive resource library.
• You can easily track your progress throughout the course and submit your work and evidence of assignments for feedback.

Your assessments will consist of the following:

Self evaluation questionnaires for you to check your knowledge and understanding throughout the module

Two assessed tasks:

• Critical analysis one (3,000 words or equivalent): Write an essay entitled: The history of autism and the emergence of the autism spectrum – with a primary focus on children and young people.
• Critical analysis two (3,000 words or equivalent): Write an essay entitled: The features of good/effective educational policy and practice in supporting the needs of children and young people in schools with reference to theory and research.

You must hold an undergraduate degree.

You will need to be working in an educational setting for this module. If you aren’t currently working in an educational setting you will need written permission from a senior member of staff to regularly access a setting.

A note from module leader, Dr Sue Sheppard:

Our autism module does place some specific demands on our delegates. To successfully complete this module, and to get the best learning from it, you need to be:

• Able to work with a student for a short period of time in a fairly intensive way.
• Able to devise a profiling tool based on samples given, and use it with a student which will involve collating relevant information from stakeholders and access to files.
• Ideally able to work with parents and/or any other professionals involved in a student’s programme
• Able to audit a setting to evaluate their progress to meet the needs of students with ASD and draw up action plans.
• If working in FE and HE, able to engage with students to give consent for previous information to be shared and agree on collaboration with stakeholders.

Are you based in an international setting?

The Autism Spectrum Conditions course is available online and can, therefore, be completed anywhere in the world. Please click here for advice on payment options and other information relevant to those studying outside of the UK.

Cohorts begin in January, May and September.

The next cohort begins on 15 September 2025. Book and register before 15 September 2025 to join our next cohort.

We offer a flexible range of fees to suit your finances:

• A one-off payment of £1,525 + VAT
• Three instalments of £533 + VAT
• Ten instalments of £165 + VAT

For further information please visit the payment FAQ page found here.

Speak to us (01273 358080) or make a booking.

The duration of the Autism Spectrum Conditions module is up to one year.

We do understand, however, that circumstances can arise that could prevent the course from being completed at this time. If this is the case, an extension can be arranged in conjunction with the admin team and your tutor.