A message from course lead Ilona Roth:
Covid and all the associated restrictions have brought particular challenges for autistic people and their families. This year, of all years, we need to promote understanding of autism, so please use this course as a resource to help you spread awareness. Wishing everyone a swift end to lockdown and happier times ahead.
Learn about autism, a complex and challenging long-term condition for many individuals and their families worldwide, and an aspect of human diversity to others. This free course, Understanding autism, introduces the autism spectrum, how it is experienced by different individuals and families, and why it is a global concern. The course explains how ideas about autism have evolved and explores diagnosis, causes, intervention and life-span development. Widely varying perspectives on autism are illustrated and key societal and cross-cultural issues highlighted.
Earn this free Open University digital badge if you complete this course! The badge can be displayed, shared and downloaded as a marker of your achievement. The badge is awarded for completing the course and passing the quizzes.
First Published: 26/04/2017
Updated: 02/04/2020