The Postgraduate Certificate in Autism and Asperger Syndrome is run in collaboration with the National Autistic Society.

The National Autistic Society is here to transform lives, One of the most important things we do at The National challenger attitudes and build a society that works for autistic Autistic Society is share the knowledge and experience people. we’ve gained from 50 years of working with autistic children and adults. Their training, and courses put you in the They transform lives by providing support, information and room with international specialists in autism. practical advice for the 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK, as well as their three million family members and carers.. To find out more about the National Autistic They change attitudes by improving public understanding Society and how they can support you, visit of autism and the difficulties many autistic people face. www.autism.org.uk/professionals They also work closely with businesses, local authorities and government to help them provide more autism-friendly spaces, deliver better services and improve laws.

How to apply Contact us

Download our postgraduate application The Autism Centre form at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE) and send to [email protected] Arundel Building, Faculty of Development and Society Related courses at Sheffield Hallam City Campus, Howard Street, • MA Autism Spectrum Sheffield, S1 1WB, UK • MA Education Email [email protected] • MA TESOL Phone +44 (0)114 225 5299 There are also opportunities to further your study with a PhD. For the latest course information, visit www.shu.ac.uk/prospectus Postgraduate Certificate in Autism and Asperger Syndrome

An international part-time course for practitioners, professionals, autistic adults and family members.

Develop your knowledge and understanding as a member of an international community of autistic individuals, practitioners, academics or professionals. Run in collaboration with the UK’s largest autism charity, the National Autistic Society, this course offers you an in-depth exploration into theory and practice related to autism and Asperger syndrome. About the course You are provided with an in-depth exploration and critique of the main autism theories, with alternative perspectives identified with supporting rationale. The course is deeply embedded in an inclusive model, and embraces the social model of disability. As such, the notions of inclusion, models of disability, and what it means to be autistic in the modern age are all explored within the course.

This course combines the latest Typical entry requirements understandings of autism alongside the A degree in any subject. English language level practical implications of this knowledge equivalent to IELTS 6.5 and includes two 30 credit modules. • The first module is taught face-to-face over a period of five Why study this course? consecutive days with an open invitation to attend an optional The course has a strong reputation for providing a platform conference on day six in Sheffield. that gives autistic professionals and academics a real voice. • The second module is taught online with supervisory support. Autistic speakers and other professional colleagues are keen to present and debate their ideas and experiences. All speakers are of the highest international standard. Study mode Students frequently feedback examples of how the course • Part-time: online and summer school has significantly changed their practice, and/or impacted • Starts July 2020 on the lives of autistic individuals (including from autistic individuals themselves). After completion of the postgraduate certificate in autism Module one takes you through autism and Asperger syndrome, many students choose to transfer and disability theory on to the MA Autistic Spectrum course. There are also further opportunities after completing an MA to study a Critical reflections on Autism and Asperger Doctoral programme. There are currently ten students Syndrome studying at Doctoral level and eight of these students began • you will complete an assignment based on models of their studies with the postgraduate certificate course. disability, a conceptualisation of autism, and a critique of autism theory. Your work may have a bespoke focus We welcome a diverse range of students on each cohort, and that is relevant and pertinent to your circumstances. encourage anyone with an interest in autism, personal and/ or professional, to apply. Traditionally the largest grouping • you will have tutorials offered by phone, email, of students is teaching staff (mainstream, special schools, Skype, or face-to-face. integrated resources, autism-specific schools - primary, • you will agree a title for the assignment and receive secondary, FE and HE). We always attract autistic students detailed formative feedback on draft work. and parents of autistic children to every cohort. In addition, we have taught the following (this is a sample selection only): Module two is a critique of autism • GPs; practice within your own context • Psychiatrists; • Psychologists; Autism in Practice • Counsellors; • a bespoke module designed to allow students to choose • Nursing staff; an area of practice to critique in relation to good autism practice within an international context. • Mentors • the supervisory role can be different for this module The diversity of the student population is hugely beneficial compared to Module One, as there are tasks for you in relation to your experience. Cohorts frequently set up a to work through with feedback at each stage, all via WhatsApp or Facebook group to keep in touch and socialise, Blackboard, our virtual learning environment. as well as providing peer support in a number of ways. • you can choose the option of a more traditional tutorial-based support. Our history About our teaching staff In 2003, Beatrice Buisseret, a parent of an autistic child and Dr Luke Beardon founder of The Asperger Foundation donated money to the Autism and Asperger Syndrome course leader National Autistic Society specifically for the purposes Luke is an internationally renowned autism professional who has of developing an academic course to be designed and delivered decades of experience of working within the autism field. His thesis on the most up-to-date knowledge around autism. The Training title is ‘Asperger Syndrome and Perceived Offending Conduct: A and Consultancy Department of the National Autistic Society Qualitative Study’. He has been awarded the National Autistic were tasked to identify a suitable partner and approached Dr Luke Society’s prestigious award for Individual Educational Professional, Beardon, of Sheffield Hallam University, to design and validate the as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the Autism Postgraduate Certificate in Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Heroes nominations. He has several media appearances including The course has been running successfully for fifteen years in the UK. BBC TV and radio. Luke has extensive experience of supervision at Masters and Doctoral level. He is a published author of two autism books, and co-editor to another seven. “The structure of the distance learning modules meant it was manageable to complete alongside current work Stephen Conneoly commitments and the ongoing supervisor support MA Autism Spectrum course leader from Luke made assignments extremely clear and Stephen is a member of the Sheffield Hallam Autism Research minimised any stress. The three-day conference was Partnership, SHU Disability Research Forum and the Equality full of extremely detailed content and I left with a and Social Justice Research Group. Stephen’s work is heavily great deal more understanding and knowledge about influenced by the Actually Autistic and Emancipatory and autism I recommend the course in particular to any Participatory movements. He believes that autistic people should professionals working with autistic children or adults. be the main stakeholders in autism research. His PhD research is It has massively enhanced my career in that I feel I can titled ‘Inclusion of students that identify as autistic deliver the best possible practice that would help and in Higher Education’. support those on the autistic spectrum and it has only increased my drive and passion working in this field.” Professor Nick Hodge Georgia Brayley Professor of Inclusive Practice Graduate, Autism specialist support in education Nick is Co-Director of the Sheffield Hallam Autism Research Partnership (SHARP). Prior to joining the University in 1998, he was a special education teacher, supporting disabled children “The course encouraged me and enabled me to give my and their families in schools for over 15 years. Nick is currently best, and to think laterally on many of the established researching into how school staff conceptualise and respond to theories. The in-depth study of models of disability the autistic self and how we might think about autism differently. and theories of autism revealed how much of current ‘best practice’ was based around misunderstandings Dr Jill Pluquailec and poor research methodology. I am now equipped to MA Autism Spectrum course leader overcome some of those myths and misunderstandings Jill is interested in the everyday experiences of disabled children from a sound and thorough platform of knowledge. and their families. Coming from a background of educational I would not hesitate to recommend the course, and the research and critical disability studies, her work sits within social University, to anyone wishing to study in this field.” justice, the social, cultural and political constructions of autism, Ann Memmott and the development of more diverse ways we can move towards Part-time student, Director at AT-Autism Ltd honouring difference in all aspects of life. Jill is a member of and Trustee of Autistic Pride Reading the SHU Disability Research Forum and the Equality and Social Justice Research Group.