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Autism Studies
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Start year: | 2013 |
| Location: | Canterbury |
| Award/s: | FdSc or BSc |
| Type: | Full-time (years 1 and 2); workshops and work based learning (year 3) |
| Options: | Application to practice |
The Autism Act and the Autism Strategy produced by the Department of Health highlight the need for appropriate training for those who work with people on the autism spectrum.
This programme, taught at the Tizard Centre (a leading centre for teaching, research and consultancy in intellectual/developmental disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders), offers a qualification that delivers the knowledge and skills required to support people with autism in a range of different situations. It is designed specifically for students who provide home, community and school-based services, and is therefore flexible, combining traditional learning with intensive workshop-based teaching and work-based learning.
The BSc programme focuses on understanding and supporting children and adults with autism spectrum conditions and their families in Years 1 and 2 and on Applied Behaviour Analysis in Year 3. It combines intensive periods of campus based study, including lectures, seminars and workshops, web-based study supplemented by work-based and work-related learning. The innovative combination of traditional teaching and learning techniques with web-based and experiential learning is unique to this programme and allows students to engage early on with putting theory into practice. The work-based and work-related aspects of the programme are supported by local and academic supervision, and case study based assignments.
The Foundation Degree is a two year programme. The programme focuses on understanding and supporting children and adults with autism spectrum conditions and their families. It combines intensive periods of campus based study including lectures, seminars and workshops, web-based study supplemented by work-based and work-related learning. The innovative combination of traditional teaching and learning techniques with web-based and experiential learning is unique to this programme and allows students to engage early on with putting theory into practice. The work-based and work-related aspects of the programme are supported by local and academic supervision and case study based assignments.
Both programmes are designed to allow substantial flexibility and a very practical approach.
Degree programmes
Did you know?
One in 100 people have an autism spectrum condition.
See individual programmes for entry requirements and other information
Single honours degrees
Foundation degrees
Modules
Stage 1
You take five modules at Stage 1 – two 15-credit modules and three 30-credit modules.
- Academic Development (15 credits)
- Case Study Assessment (30 credits)
- Intervention Part 1 (30 credits)
- Introduction to the Autism Spectrum (15 credits)
- Introduction to Supporting People on the Autism Spectrum (30 credits)
Stage 2
You take five Stage 2 modules.
- Case Study Assessment (30 credits)
- Essay Assignment (15 credits)
- Intervention Part 2 (30 credits)
- Theoretical and Diagnostic Approaches (15 credits)
- Work-based Learning (30 credits)
Stage 3
At Stage 3, students on the Autism programmes join those on the more general Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities programme to complete the five Stage 3 modules on Applied Behaviour Analysis.
- Concepts of Applied Behaviour Analysis
- Developing and Implementing Interventions
- Observation and Analysis of Behaviour
- Values, Ethics and Professional Practice
- Work-based Learning in Applied Behaviour Analysis
Application to practice
In the second and third year of the programmes, you complete a work-based learning module that requires you to be working with children or adults with autism. You can either do this as part of your normal job role (including as a family carer) or as a placement which you organise yourself.
Teaching and assessment
These programmes are taught through a mixture of campus-based sessions, web-based materials, guided reading, web-based discussions and practical exercises and placements. Some of the modules are assessed by examination and short assignments; the remaining modules are assessed by written assignments only. Students draw on material from different modules to complete the case study assignments.
Entry requirements
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Offer levels
CCD at A level. Some experience of working with people with autism is recommended. Mature students who do not hold appropriate qualifications can apply, but will need to demonstrate that they have the skills/ experience to study at degree level. References will be required. Students will be either in employment supporting children or adults with autism, a family carer of a child or adult with autism or be able to arrange a placement for the second and third year of the course.
Required subjects
None.
Careers
This course provides students with both academic and practical knowledge to help them provide better support to children and adults on the autism spectrum. The third year of the BSc provides people with the teaching that they need to apply for accreditation as a board certified associate behaviour analyst (BCABA).
Further information
School:Enquiries:
T: +44 (0)1227 827272