Your knowledge and understanding of disability and of autism in particular, will depend on many factors, including your personal and professional experience. This unit aims to raise awareness of autism – what is meant by the term, how it can affect people’s lives and what you need to know or find out in order to support the learning of children and young people with autism.

The National Autistic Society provides specific guidance on the language autistic people prefer when talking and writing about autism.

Aims and outcomes

• Recognise some of the characteristics of autism.
• Identify some of the effects it can have on children’s perceptions, behaviours and learning.
• Develop your ability to support the learning of autistic pupils.

Author: William Baginsky