Understanding Autism
Level 2 Certificate
For learners who wish to develop an understanding of autism and how to support individuals with autism.
▸ Gain a FREE qualification thanks to UK Government funding
▸ Average of 6 weeks to complete
▸ This course is available 100% online
▸ Level 2 qualification is accredited by NCFE CACHE
▸ Dedicated tutor will be available to support your studies
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Course Overview
This Understanding Autism NCFE CACHE Level 2 qualification is designed for learners who wish to develop an understanding of autism and how to support individuals with autism.
This qualification aims to:
- develop learners’ understanding of autism and the principles of supporting individuals with autism – covering the person-centred approach and influence of positive communication methods, how to support positive behaviour and how individuals with autism can be supported to live healthy and fulfilled lives.
The objective of this qualification is to help learners to:
- progress within employment in a variety of sectors, and in a number of job roles where an understanding of autism and knowledge of how to support people with autism is required.
This course is useful for learners who provide direct support and those working in sectors including healthcare, childcare, social care, leisure, entertainment, education and training and nursing.
Course Terminology relating to Autism
Autism is described by The National Autistic Society as a complex, lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. Individual preference regarding the terminology used for individuals with autism may vary and must be
valued and respected.
This qualification and associated materials are reviewed regularly to ensure that they remain fit for purpose, however, terms tend to change. The National Autistic Society provides a useful source for accurate terms and references and can be found on their website.
Cost
Enrol on this course for free, thanks to funding by the UK Government – via the Education & Skills Funding Agency and the Adult Education Budget.
You can only take one government-funded Level 2 course at a time, but you can take up to 4 courses in one academic year.
Important – If you enrol on a course, and decide to withdraw at a later date, you may be charged an administration fee by the learning provider (normally £125) to cover the administration costs.
Eligibility
To qualify for government funding for a distance learning course you must be:
- Currently living in England
- A resident in the UK/EU/EEA* for 3+ years, for purposes other than study
- Aged 19+ (19-23 year olds must already hold a level 2 qualification prior to attainment)
- Not currently be on an apprenticeship
Important – Your access to this government funding depends on the available funding allocated to the region of the UK where you currently live.**
Find out if you are eligible within minutes:
* EEA nationals may need to provide evidence of having obtained either pre-settlement or settled status
** The Adult Education Budget is a UK Government scheme. Devolved regions of the UK, however, have the authority to decide how to spend their own adult education budget; and they aren’t necessarily required to match the funding that is provided by the government to non-devolved regions of the UK. Access to this funding is therefore dependent on the budget that is currently available to people living in your region of the UK.
Learning Provider
Your eligibility for government funding is only half of the process required to enrol on this course for free – but don’t worry, we make this next part easy for you!
The other half of the process is finding a reputable learning provider or college that:
- Currently has an open place for this Understanding Autism course
- Is accepting applications from students who live in your area
This is where we can help you – Within minutes we can confirm whether you are eligible for UK government funding and, in most cases, recommend a reputable learning provider where you can enrol & start this course today!
Course Delivery
This course is available 100% online.
You will require access to the internet, as well as a laptop or desktop computer to complete this course. Mobile devices are not suitable.
If necessary, learners are able to request paper-based learning resources and paper-based assessment books from their learning provider. We recommend discussing this with your tutor after enrolling on your course.
Tutor Support
Once you enrol on this course, you will be allocated a tutor who will support you, and provide feedback, throughout your course.
Your tutor will be available for you to discuss any queries or concerns that you may have – via email, text or phone.
Course Length
The course takes an average of 6 weeks to complete – based on an average of 4 to 5 hours of study time per week.
This course can be completed faster if you are able to invest more study time over a shorter period of time.
The course must be completed before the submission deadline stated by your learning provider (normally a period of up to 10-12 weeks).
If you fail to complete your course within this time, without a previously agreed extension from your tutor, you may be charged an administration fee (normally £125) by your learning provider.
Assessment Method
This course requires no exams. You will instead be required to complete a series of assessment questions whilst you work your way through the course.
There are no maximum or minimum word counts for the assessments.
You will be required to submit your assessment answers to your tutor for marking, who will give you feedback on each question. It is important that you demonstrate to your tutor that you have fully understood the question and that you have applied your knowledge to each answer in a logical way.
If you do not pass an assessment, don’t worry! Your tutor will provide feedback which highlights the areas that need further attention in order for you to pass. You will then be able to re-attempt and re-submit your answers.
Certification
Upon completion of your final assessment, your work will be marked and you can expect to receive your Level 2 certificate within 8 to 12 weeks.
This course is accredited by NCFE CACHE – a national awarding organisation that designs, develops and certifies nationally recognised qualifications and awards.
All qualifications are regulated by Ofqual.
To start the process of gaining this qualification, please check your eligibility & find an open place on this course now!
Course Units – Understanding Autism (Level 2)
To be awarded the Understanding Autism level 2 qualification, learners are required to successfully achieve 6 mandatory units:
Unit 1 – Introduction to autism
This unit provides learners with an introduction to autism, covering what is meant by ‘autism’, theories and diagnosis. Learners will also look at common misconceptions associated with autism and conditions that can co-occur with autism.
The learner will:
- Understand what is meant by ‘autism’
- Know theories that relate to autism
- Know how autism is diagnosed
- Understand the characteristics that may be present in individuals with autism
- Know about conditions that commonly co-occur with autism
- Understand common misconceptions surrounding autism
Unit 2 – Using a person-centred approach to support individuals with autism
This unit covers using a person-centred approach to support individuals with autism, incorporating the preferences and needs of the individual. Learners will also look at legislation and guidance, and the support networks available to individuals and their families
The learner will:
- Know how legislation and guidance underpins support for individuals with autism
- Understand how to support individuals with autism using a person-centred approach
Unit 3 – Communication and social interaction in individuals with autism
This unit covers the potential delays and difficulties in speech, language, and social development sometimes faced by individuals with autism. It also covers methods and strategies that could be used when communicating with an individual with autism.
The learner will:
- Understand speech, language and communication in individuals with autism
- Understand how social interaction may differ in individuals with autism
- Know strategies that are used to support communication and social interaction for individuals with autism
Unit 4 – Sensory processing, perception and cognition in individuals with autism
In this unit, learners will gain an understanding of sensory processing, perception, and cognition in individuals with autism – including looking at hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity. Learners will also consider how to support the sensory needs of individuals with autism.
The learner will:
- Understand how individuals with autism process sensory information
- Know how to recognise and support sensory needs
- Understand the cognitive differences individuals with autism may have in processing information
Unit 5 – Supporting positive behaviour in individuals with autism
Through this unit, learners will understand individuals’ behaviours in the context of autism. They’ll also look at how to support positive behaviour and help individuals to develop coping strategies.
The learner will:
- Understand behaviour within the context of autism
- Know how to support positive behaviour
- Understand how to support individuals to develop coping strategies
Unit 6 – Supporting individuals with autism to live healthy and fulfilled lives
This unit covers how to support individuals through transitions and life events, how to maintain their personal safety, and how to access services, facilities and employment opportunities. Learners will also gain an understanding of what it’s like for an individual to live with autism.
The learner will:
- Understand the experience of living with autism
- Know how to support individuals to maintain their personal safety
- Understand the purpose of positive risk-taking
- Know how to support individuals with transitions and life events
- Know how to support individuals to access services and facilities
- Know how to support individuals with employment
Check your funding eligibility, find an open place & start this course today!
Enter your details using the form below to:
▸ Verify whether you are eligible for UK government funding
▸ Find a learning provider that is currently accepting applications to enrol on this course
▸ Receive your enrollment form and be able to start this course today!
Important – You can only enrol on one course at a time. Please ensure that you only fill out the form below for your preferred course.
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