The Scottish Strategy for Autism Progress Report - Foundation Stage (2 Years)

Introduction of Open University and Strathclyde University courses for university level training

In line with Recommendation 17, Strategy funding was made available over 3 years to the Open University and the University of Strathclyde to offer free distance learning courses to increase the understanding of autism. This training is aimed at professionals and parents and those with an interest in autism and its purpose is to increase awareness of autism and ensure that autism service providers understand the needs of people with autism and are able to respond appropriately.

The OU module has run since 2009. It can be studied as a standalone module or as part of an Honours Degree in Psychology or Health Sciences. The course intake includes parents, people on the spectrum and people working with autism and 200 places were subsidised in the 1^st intake. These proved very popular and were snapped up very quickly.

175 students registered at the start of the 2^nd intake in November, the Scottish funded places were filled straightaway, and there was a waiting list of people keen to enroll.

The OU with Jane Neil-Maclachlan's help drafted some case studies of autism in adults. These were piloted at some autism workshops. As a result these can be uploaded to our module website for the next presentation.

The University of Strathclyde is a Post Graduate 8 unit module which can be completed with or without assessment. It is a core module and is one third of 3 modules required for the PG Certificate in Autism. 148 places were awarded in the 1^st intake and the training was offered On Campus, via Outreach or Distance Learning. The course attracted interest from a broad range of applicants including clinicians, educationalists, parents and individuals on the spectrum and social workers.

This contributes to goals 1 and 2 by raising awareness of autism, improving understanding and building knowledge and capacity.

Further information can be found on the Strategy website here:

http://www.autismstrategyscotland.org.uk/news/university-of-strathclyde-postgraduate-autism-module-places-available.html

http://www.autismstrategyscotland.org.uk/news/the-scottish-government-launches-new-open-university-training-initiative-for-autism-course.html