Early Years - Making Sense of Autism

Who is this module for? 

This module is an awareness-raising module for all practitioners in Early Years settings, whether they be teachers, learning support assistants, school meal supervisors, or taxi drivers.  

The module provides an introduction to autism and some initial reasonable adjustments that need to be considered when working with autistic children.  

It also provides input on the creation and use of a one-page profile for individual children. Although not all practitioners who come into contact with the child will be involved in the creation of a one-page profile, all practitioners will benefit from having access to one-page profiles for individual autistic children. 

The aims

The aims of ‘Making sense of autism in the Early Years’ are to:  

• Extend your understanding of how autism affects children in the Early Years.
• Increase your expertise in recognising a child’s individual strengths and differences across the three areas of difference.
• Develop your skills in identifying barriers to learning for autistic children.
• Develop your understanding of what “reasonable adjustments” need to be made to support an autistic child.

Learning objectives

After completing ‘Making Sense of Autism in the Early Years', you will be able to:

• Approach autism as a difference rather than as a disorder or impairment.
• Recognise the three areas of difference for autistic children and how these can affect a child.
• Listen to and learn from the perspectives of autistic children and their parents/carers.
• Reflect on their practice and implement reasonable adjustments to support autistic children.