Supporting Adults on the Autism Spectrum
SubscriptionAbout the Course
This Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course provides adult social care workers with the foundational knowledge, practical skills, and professional confidence required to deliver high-quality, person-centred support to autistic adults.
Autistic people are individuals first. Autism can affect how a person experiences communication, social interaction, sensory information, routines and their environment, but there is no single "autistic type" of person.The course covers the core characteristics of autism, sensory processing differences, neurodiversity-affirming communication, positive behavior support, and rights-based practice under key legislation. Learners will explore practical care strategies for domiciliary care, residential homes, supported living, and community settings, focusing on how small adjustments in practice can significantly improve quality of life, autonomy, and wellbeing for autistic individuals.
What You Will Learn
At the end of this course, the learner will be able to:
Upon completing this course, the learner will be able to:
1.Explain autism as a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, distinguishing facts from common myths and applying a neurodiversity-affirming approach.
2.Identify core differences in communication, social interaction, flexible thinking, and sensory processing experienced by autistic adults.
3.Adapt daily care practice to support individual communication preferences, sensory needs, and environmental adjustments across social care settings.
4.Recognise signs of sensory overload, anxiety, and distress, responding safely and compassionately using proactive strategies that minimize restrictive practices.
5.Apply relevant UK legislation, regulatory standards, and human rights frameworks to protect the rights, dignity, choices, and privacy of autistic individuals.
6.Execute appropriate professional boundaries, documentation, and escalation protocols when identifying health changes, unaddressed pain, or safeguarding concerns.
Curriculum
7 chapters · 4 hours- 01Understanding Autism and Neurodiversity
- 02COMMUNICATION AND BUILDING TRUST
- 03SENSORY DIFFERENCES, ROUTINE AND ENVIRONMENT
- 04DISTRESS, BEHAVIOUR AND RESPONDING SAFELY
- 05PERSON-CENTERED CARE, EQUALITY, CAPACITY AND SAFEGUARDING
- 06HEALTH, RISK, RECORDING, ESCALATION AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
- 07CASE STUDIES
Target Audience
Who is this for?Suitable for:
- care assistants
- healthcare assistants working in social care
- adult social care support workers
- domiciliary/home-care workers
- supported-living workers
- residential care workers
- day-service workers
- community support workers
- personal assistants, where appropriate
- senior care workers requiring autism-awareness CPD
- other staff whose role involves supporting autistic adults.
- community support workers
- personal assistants, where appropriat
CPD Breakdown
Proposed total: 3.5 CPD hours
|
Component |
Estimated time |
|
Six learning modules |
2 hours 25 minutes |
|
Interactive scenarios/case studies |
30 minutes |
|
Learner reflection |
10 minutes |
|
Final 30-question assessment |
25 minutes |
|
Total |
3 hours 30 minutes |
