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This course is for anyone looking to further extend their knowledge of autism and neurodiversity. You may have already completed the “Understanding Autism” Starter course, or you may have a specific interest in learning more about masking, stimming and sensory sensitivity.
You will develop a deeper understanding of some of the characteristics associated with autism, including:
· Sensory Sensitivity – Being autistic can mean having a nervous system that struggles to process sensory information – either experiencing information coming into the senses with too much (hyper) or too little (hypo) sensitivity. We’ll discuss what this can mean for autistic individuals.
· Stimming – The performance of particular, repetitive movements or vocal sounds can serve many functions for autistic individuals. We’ll discuss what stimming is, the purposes it can serve and explore how stimming is linked to the senses.
· Masking – the conscious or unconscious suppression of natural autistic tendencies in order to “fit in”. We’ll discuss the reasons for, and the challenges associated with this, and other social survival strategies used by autistic individuals.
There will be plenty of opportunities during these sessions to ask questions, share and discuss your own experiences (should you wish to), and to learn from others. You will also learn more from the experiences of autistic individuals in each of these areas.
There is no formal assessment for this course. Your tutor will provide you with regular feedback.
At the end of this course, if you’d like to continue with your learning in this subject, you’ll be able to progress onto our Enhancer Level workshop or course.
Further courses in neurodiversity will be available from January 2024. Please see the SS&L website for details of further courses about ADHD and dyslexia.
Our workshops and courses are designed to provide essential skills, develop confidence and resilience, improve your health & wellbeing, prepare you for further learning or employment, provide ways to learn with your family and build communities. We have a wide range of workshops and courses and you can explore more on our website. There’s something for everyone!
This course is suitable if you have completed our Starter Level in this subject, within a similar subject area, or have previous experience, and want to progress and explore this subject in more depth.
This is an online course and you will need access to Zoom to participate.
FREE
If you are aged 19+ AND are unemployed AND receive a benefit / your annual income is less than £25,000 per year AND live in Somerset (not including Bath & North East Somerset) AND you have lived in the UK/EU for the last 3 years OR you have refugee status / right to remain. *Please note – proof of eligibility will be requested during the enrolment process.
£72
If you are aged 19+ AND your annual income is over £25,000 and live in Somerset OR you live in Bath & North East Somerset OR you live anywhere else in the UK. Some Community partners may not be able to accommodate learners from outside Somerset. This will be highlighted during enrolment.
Our funding rules have changed – how this affects you…
You can only enrol on ONE free* workshop/course at each level, e.g. one Taster, one Starter… and so on. Our new levels are designed to encourage you to learn and progress in your chosen area of interest. If you enrol on multiple workshops/courses at the same level, we’ll contact you to discuss (as there are exceptions), or you’ll be given the opportunity to pay for your place, (costs are detailed on each course page).
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