Understanding Autism

Welcome to our online module on Understanding Autism. This is part of the Mandatory Training for Learning Disabilities and Autism. All 4 modules are accredited by the CPD Certification Service (CPDUK) and meet the national guidance set out after the Oliver McGowan Enquiry, which recommended that all health and social care workers should complete mandatory training on learning disability and autism.

In this module, we will discuss what autism is and the challenges that autistic people face on a daily basis. We will also cover the prevalence of autism across genders and how to support autistic individuals while respecting their preferences and varying needs.

Who is the course for?

This online Understanding Autism is suitable for for people who require general awareness of the support autistic people and/or people with a learning disability may need, including health and social care workers.

What is covered in this course?

This online Understanding Autism is divided into the following sections:

• Introduction
• Section 1 – What is autism?
• Section 2 – Challenges in autism
• Section 3 – Ask Listen Do
• Summary
• References and resources
• End of module assessment.

Course aims

The aims of this Understanding Autism are to:

• Broaden your understanding of autism and the challenges that autistic people face.
• Provide emotional support and meaningful conversations to address the mental health needs of autistic people.

Learning objectives

This online Understanding Autism will:

• Establish what autism is.
• Classify the different challenges autistic people face in real-life situations.
• Discuss how to meet autistic people’s varying needs.
• Discuss the importance of active listening when interacting with autistic people.
• Examine how autism meltdown differs from autism shutdown.
• Consider effective ways to communicate and support autistic people.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this online Understanding Autism, the learner will be able to:

• State how autism affects social and communication skills.
• Describe autistic people’s health inequalities and hidden vulnerabilities.
• Identify the differences between autism meltdown and shutdown. 
• State the prevalence of autism across genders.
• Provide guidelines on how to effectively communicate with autistic individuals.

Why is this online Understanding Autism important?

The Mandatory Training for Learning Disabilities and Autism is named in memory of Oliver McGowan, who tragically passed away in 2016. If those responsible for his care had better understood his specific needs, his death could have been prevented.

It is crucial to respect each individual’s self-identification. Some individuals use “autistic”, while others prefer “person with autism”. Health and social care workers are advised to use “autistic person” rather than “person with autism”, as individuals on the autism spectrum commonly prefer it. The language used to introduce each person to lived experience reflects their preferences in describing their experiences.