• Programme aims
• Programme content
• Entry requirements
• Awards
• Fees

Programme aims

The programme is designed for individuals who have experience, either through their work or as a carer or parent of a person with ASD. It will provide a broad understanding of ASD, introducing the latest research findings and insights into current best practice. It will prepare both practitioners and parents to draw upon recognised strategies for meeting the needs of individuals with ASD in a variety of settings.

As such, this course is of real benefit to, and can be studied by, a wide variety of people including:

• Parents of children with ASD
• Those working with adults with ASD
• Learning Support Assistants
• Residential Care and Social Workers
• Those providing support in day centres and colleges

As this is a web-based course, it is available throughout the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands at present. The University is currently piloting the course in Sweden in partnership with Lund University, and plans to introduce the course to other countries in the future.

Programme content

Delivery

This unique, innovative course takes full advantage of interactive training methods such as the Internet, and audio and video material on CD-ROM, to make learning as interesting and accessible as possible.

The programme has been carefully designed to appeal to a variety of learning styles and offers a flexible approach to learning, allowing you to fit your study around your work and family commitments. Face-to-face tutorials are also arranged in your local area to provide you with an opportunity to meet fellow students and discuss work with an experienced lecturer/practitioner.

Structure

The programme is modular - with one module for each term - and three modules every year. Those students who progress to the Certificate in Higher Education will have the opportunity to specialise in a particular area of interest in the second year.

Before you can study for the CertHE, you need to have successfully completed the University Certificate.

Module 4: Guiding principles for Practice

Credits: 20; Study Level: C

The aim of this Module will be to focus on identifying guiding principles for practice in the care and life long education of individuals with ASD. It includes up to date information about good practice and an audit of current innovative practice. Students are encouraged to develop analytical strategies enhancing their capacity to evaluate their own practice. The module is particularly focused on enabling students to evaluate their own practice.

Either Module 5A or 5B:

Module 5A: Meeting the needs of people with ASDs and additional learning difficulties

Credits: 20; Study Level: C

The aim of this Module is to identify some of the specific learning needs resulting from of an individual having an ASD and additional learning difficulties. Students will be enabled to develop appropriate observation, assessment and intervention skills. The Module will look in depth at approaches to observation and recording of behaviour, with a focus on the action research model and participant observation. The emphasis will be on the student researching and evaluating strategies in partnership with families and/ or professionals and situating those in the context of the environment in which they work.

Module 5B: Meeting the needs of high functioning individuals with ASDs

Credits: 20; Study Level: C

The aim of this Module is to identify some of the specific learning needs of high functioning individuals with ASDs. Students will be enabled to develop appropriate observation, assessment and intervention skills. The Module will look in depth at approaches to observation and recording of behaviour, with a focus on the action research model and participant observation. The emphasis will be on the student researching and evaluating strategies in partnership with families and/or professionals and situating those in the context of the environment in which they work.

Either Module 6A or 6B:

Module 6A: Caring for and working with adults with ASD

Credits: 20; Study Level: C

The aim of this Module will be to identify specific issues related to meeting the needs of adults with ASDs. There will be a particular focus on the notion of quality of life. The Module will examine aspects of interpersonal relationships that are key for adults with ASD, for example attachment and loss, sexuality, transition and dealing with challenging behaviour.

Module 6B: Caring for and working with children with ASD

Credits: 20; Study Level: C

The aim of this Module will be to focus on meeting the needs of children with ASDs in a variety of settings. It will identify key issues in the education of children with ASDs and will examine these within the framework of family/practitioner partnership. The notion of challenging behaviour will be defined and strategies for dealing with challenging behaviour in a non-threatening way will be identified.

Assessment

Students will be asked to complete a portfolio of work with each module. This portfolio consists of an assignment with three parts: a short essay based on course material, case study evidence of caring or work-based practice and summaries of web-based discussions.

Work from this programme can contribute to NVQ/LDAF qualifications. Some aspects of the course may also contribute to assessment within these qualifications. The programme is at a level equivalent to NVQ level 4 or above.

Programme Year

This programme runs from January to December.

Programme entry requirements

Experience in the field of ASD, rather than formal educational qualifications, are the main requirements for entry. We normally expect two years’ experience of working with, or supporting, an individual with ASD.

Currently caring for, or working, with children or adults with ASD.

Access to an on-line multimedia computer is essential – this may be from home or an out-of-hours workplace. No advanced computer skills are required beyond being able to use the Internet and to send and rec

Applicants must have a personal email account.

Successful completion of the University Certificate.

Awards

The University of Birmingham has an excellent reputation for providing courses for training practitioners who work in the field of autistic spectrum disorders. This web-based part-time course offers two levels of qualification: a University Certificate and a Certificate of Higher Education.

Once you have completed a University Certificate, you may then progress to a full Certificate of Higher Education (ASD) with a further year of part-time study. The Higher Education Certificate is the equivalent of the first year of an undergraduate degree and may serve as a springboard to further higher-level studies.

Fees

Fees in 2007 are £1000 for UK/EU nationals, £2584 for Islands applicants and £4500 for overseas applicants.

Please note that if you are studying on a part-time programme that has a registration period of more than 12 months (i.e. if you continue onto the Certificate of Higher Education in ASDs), the fees for the second year will rise with costs.

Financial Support

You may be eligible to apply for financial support. For details on eligibility and applications go to http://www.studserv.bham.ac.uk/fsoffice/ or contact the University of Birmingham Finance Support Office: financialsupport@bham.ac.uk, Tel: 0121 414 7391.