Autism Awareness Training Course

Duration 3 hours

Last audited 10th April 2025

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100% online training
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Learn on any device (desktop, mobile or tablet)
Instant assessment and result

1 learner per course
Train teams of all sizes
Bulk discounts starting at 10% off 10 courses
Pay by invoice with 30 day payment terms available (5+ courses)

£30 +VAT

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Includes a 10% discount for 10+ courses

This introductory course is designed for anyone wishing to understand more about autism. It is suitable for anyone who supports autistic children, young people, and adults in a variety of contexts. It explores what autism is, and looks at the concepts of neurodiversity and the autism spectrum, as well as addressing some common misconceptions.

You’ll learn that autistic individuals share common areas of difference, but will have their own profile of strengths and challenges. The course explores how those areas of difference might impact an individual. It will make you aware of the importance of understanding autism and give you knowledge of the diagnostic process. You will also learn how to provide effective, individualised support and benefit from practical supportive strategies. The course utilises 'Choose Your Path' opportunities to tailor your learning according to the context in which you are supporting autistic people.

Looking to support an autistic child in an education setting? Our Autism Awareness in Education training course has been specifically designed to give those working in education more practical guidance to help effectively support children with autism spectrum disorders.

100% online training

Access anywhere

Same day digital certificate

Printed certificate posted next working day

Full audio voiceover

Assessment retakes at no extra cost

Appraised by neurodivergent advocate and trainer, Tigger Pritchard

Developed by education professionals

Accredited by CPD

Earn 3 CPD points on completion

A range of downloadable and interactive resources

Bulk discount for orders of 10+ courses

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What you'll learn

By the end of this course you will:

Understand what autism is, and the terminology associated with it.
Understand the need to approach autism as a difference, rather than a disorder or impairment.
Understand how autism may be identified and diagnosed.
Understand the areas of difference and how these may affect an individual.
Understand that every autistic individual experiences autism differently and that an individual’s strengths, aspirations, and needs should drive any provision.
Understand what is meant by advocacy and ways in which autistic individuals can be supported.
Understand and identify some strategies that can help to support autistic individuals in a range of contexts.

Training you can trust

Accredited by CPD

All of our courses are accredited by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to universally accepted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

Recommended renewal:

3 years

What does this mean? This certificate does not have an expiry date, however, based on industry best practice guidelines there is a recommended renewal period.

Course screenshot showing sensory differences

Course screenshot showing autism and mental health

Course screenshot discussing why understanding autism is important

Module 1: Introduction to Autism

What is autism?, why is understanding autism important?, inclusivity and equity, autism timeline, common misconceptions, the autism spectrum, describing autism, medical vs. social models, neurodiversity and neurodivergence.

Module 2: Areas of Difference

Areas of strength, communication and language, differences in social interaction, repetitive interests, behaviours, and activities, montropism, sensory differences, scenario exercises (Choose Your Path options), meltdowns, shutdowns and autistic fatigue, potentially co-occurring challenges, autism and mental health.

Module 3: Identifying Autism

Pre-diagnosis - children and young people, pre-diagnosis - adults, diagnostic criteria, autism assessments, masking, autistic girls and women, cultural differences and diagnosis, pathological demand avoidance (PDA), education, health, and care (EHC) plans.

Module 4: Supporting Autistic Individuals

An individualised approach, specialist input, general strategies, managing uncertainty, anxiety and overwhelm, recognising and expressing emotion, managing uncertainty, supporting transitions, calming strategies, supporting communication differences, supporting social interaction, bullying, supporting sensory differences.

Module 5: Supportive Strategies (Choose Your Path)

Choose Your Path sections: supporting autistic individuals as parents or carers (supporting education, health, and care needs, supporting educational needs, the Graduated Approach, home school communication, embracing autistic identity, food issues, sleep issues, online safety, support for parents and carers); supporting individuals with PDA; supporting autistic individuals as health and social care professionals (guidance, the Oliver McGowan mandatory training); supporting autistic individuals in the workplace (reasonable adjustments, the recruitment process, the working environment, communication in the workplace, workplace culture); what is advocacy?

Download Course Overview (PDF)

The online assessment is taken on completion of the training material. You will be asked 20 multiple choice questions with a pass mark of 80%. The answers are marked automatically so you will instantly know whether you have passed. If you don't pass don't worry! You can take the test as many times as you need with no extra charge.

This course is designed for anyone who would like to understand more about autism and what it means to be autistic. It is suitable for anyone who supports autistic children, young people, or adults - this includes parents, carers, employers, colleagues, friends, relatives, etc.

Written by experts

Fintan O’Regan (MA Education Management, PGCE, BSc Hons) is one of the leading Behaviour and Learning specialists in the UK. He is currently an ADHD, Neurodiversity and Behaviour Consultant for a number of schools and organisations as well as an associate lecturer for Leicester University, the National Association of Special Needs, The Helen Arkell Charity and the Institute of Education.

He is the former Vice Chairman of UKAP and the European ADHD Alliance. He has been the chairperson of the European ADHD Taskforce and is a current member of the Special Education Consortium, the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee, a full council member of the Council of Registered Schools for the Teaching of Dyslexia and the London Child and Development Centre.

Fintan was the Headmaster of an Academy that was regarded as the first specialist school within the UK for children with ADHD/ODD. He is an internationally acclaimed presenter and trainer in behaviour, learning and motivation working both within the Education and Health sectors. As well as providing his expertise to audiences within the UK, he has presented over 500 seminars throughout Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, Australia, New Zealand and North America.

He has published over 10 books including the; the T.E.S. award winning book Educating Children with ADHD (2001), How to teach and Manage Children with ADHD(2002), Surviving and Succeeding in SEN(2005).