- Introduce students to what autism is - Introduce popular theoretical explanations and interventions - Encourage students to challenge current knowledge to identify issues in the field and create novel solutions

(LO1) Students will understand what autism and Asperger syndrome are, as well as the essential differences between the two and how traits can present themselves.

(LO2) Students will have learnt key theories that aim to explain autism and will understand the strengths and weaknesses of each theory covered.

(LO3) Students will understand the benefits and limitations of autism interventions and understand what makes a good intervention.

(LO4) Students will be confident in their ability to critically evaluate research and theory and generate their own ideas around these.

(S1) Communication, listening and questioning respecting others, contributing to discussions, communicating in a foreign language, influencing, presentations

(S2) Problem solving/ critical thinking/ creativity analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

(S3) Literacy application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy - including listening and questioning

(S4) Lifelong learning skills

Week 1 Introductionto the autism spectrum:  Students will be broadly introduced to the concept of what autism is, this will include key definitions, distinctions between 'types' of autism, outlining key austitic traits and the history of autism and exploring co-morbid conditions.  This week will give students a baseline to understand autism by, expanding on these ideas throughout the course. Week 2 Theories inautism:  The main theoretical explanations for autism will be discussed and evaluated. Specifically, students will learn about and evaluate the theory of mind theory, weak central coherence, empathising-systemising and the extreme male brain theories.  This week will encourage students to challenge theories and research in the field of autism, creating their own ideals on what theory and research should focus on. Week 3 Sexdifferences in autism: The differences between males and females with autism will be explored in depth during week 3, looking at how and why females display different traits than boys and how this should be approached from different perspectives in identifying and supporting autism. Week 4 Autismresearch: Students will learn about the autism, empathy and systemizingquotients, how they are used in research and how to score them. Issues withinautism research, such as reinforcing the gender gap and the influence ontheories will be discussed. Week 5 Restricted andexcessive interests in autism: Traits around interests will be discussed,using research and previously discussed theories to explain interests inautism. The benefit of interests will be covered as well as differences betweenmales and females, and how interests are key to interventions. Week 6 Sensoryperception in autism: Differences in sensory perception will be covered,such as sensory overload and the link to meltdowns, synaesthesia, preventingsensory overload and sensory gating problems. Week 7 Social andemotional understanding in autism: Differences i n emotional and socialprocessing will be discussed in relation to research and previously coveredtheories. Barriers to understanding will be discussed, as well as how emotionaland social information is processing in individuals with autism. Week 8 Diagnosis: Keyissues such as early versus late diagnosis, and the recent increase indiagnosis in relation to the ‘lost generation’ of autistic adults will bediscussed. Different methods used in psychiatry to reach diagnosis will bediscussed. Week 9 Intervention: Theissue of whether to change autism, or understand and expand will be discussed.Key interventions will be briefly outlined, along with their theoreticalbackgrounds. Using knowledge of autism traits to form new interventions will bediscussed as well as factors that make an effective intervention. Week 10 Currentunderstanding of autism and future directions: Theories, traits, diagnosticmethods and interventions will be recapped. This week will give students the chance to focus on any prior topics to ensure students are happy with their understanding of autism. Tasks will be given to students that will cover each week. Current understanding of autism in all prior covered areas amongst the general public will be covered, as well as future directions for each key area covered in the module. Materials for each week will be uploaded to VITAL for students to access, any handouts will be provided to students by the lecturer.

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Lectures given during weekly classes with PowerPoint, based on class learning styles, interactive tasks will also be provided during lectures.
Attendance Recorded: Yes