If you’re teacher, teacher’s aide or early learning educator, there’s a good chance you will support a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during your career.
The Certificate of Education Support (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is an online professional development program that will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to work with and support students with ASD.
In this education and autism support course, you will explore childhood development and the historical context of ASD, including gender differences, myths and stereotypes. You will also discover the neurobiological, viral and genetic theories of causation, current research, diagnostic categories, core areas of functional impact, and the current diagnostic and assessment tools available.
In this online autism training for support workers course, you will also learn how to plan and implement support for students with ASD, respond effectively to needs and provide intervention, treatment and support strategies within the context of education support work.
On completion of this course, you will have gained the knowledge required to provide a range of solutions and strategies for improved educational outcomes for students with ASD.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Support individuals with autism spectrum disorder
- Diagnostic processes
- Assessment tools
- Core areas of functional impact
- History of autism spectrum disorders
- Neurobiological cause
- Genetic causes
- Current research
- Functions of the brain
- Environmental toxins
- Viral causes
- Treatment, therapies and interventions
- Testing and diagnosis
- Deficits in social skills
- Impact and stress on family
- Education
- Values and attitudes
- Plan and implement support
- Responding effectively to needs
- Interventions and support strategies
- Strategies for including students with ASD
- Physical activities
- Individual program plan
- Individual education plan
- Sensory strategies
- Touch sensitivity
- Gustatory strategies
- Olfactory strategies
- Vestibular strategies
- Triggers
- Positive reinforcement
- Evidence of positive results
- Pharmaceutical drugs
- Alternative therapies
- Achieving outcomes
- Developmental philosophy
- Quality of life
- Social models
- Human rights
- Respect and equality
- Equal opportunity
- Discrimination legislation
- Health and safety
- Medication regulations
- Disability services
- Professional boundaries
- Professional development
- Childhood autisim rating scale (CARS)
Unit 2 - Support students with additional needs in the classroom environment
- Roles and responsibilities
- Co-operation with staff
- Facilitate student support
- Procedures, guidelines and protocols
- Information collection
- Students with additional needs
- Respect, empathy and acceptance
- Diversity and cultural difference
- Child protection acts
- Promote positive self-concept
- Praise
- Challenges
- Self-image
- Childhood development
- Language, equipment and materials
- Communication aids
- Computer access aids
- Educational learning aids
- Mobility and transportation aids
- Vision and reading aids
- Simple task analysis
- Individual education programs (IEP’)
- Classroom programs
- Small group / co-operative learning
- Cross-curricular learning
- Modification of general activities
- Help in the classroom
- Behaviour management strategies
- Non-verbal communication
- Redirection
- Personal safety (staff)
- Appropriate learning environments
- Contribute to learning opportunities
- Encourage problems solving
- Independence and social skills
- Attitude and knowledge
- Constructive advice and feedback
- Suggestions to teachers
Unit 3 - Provide support to students with autism spectrum disorder
- Access current and authoritative sources of information about (ASD)
- Research autism spectrum disorder
- What is ASD?
- Symptoms and diagnosis
- Learning needs
- Assistance and therapies
- Strategies
- Behaviour assessments and communication training
- Considerations for support workers
- Generalisation strategies
- Applied behavioural analysis (ABA)
- Differentiated instruction
- Initiating differentiated learning
- Social interaction teaching/learning
- Meeting individual needs
- Effective teaching and learning and support practices
- Helping students with ASD develop social skills
- Encouraging social interaction
- Social skills development
- Providing support to teachers
- Setting goals for the growth and development of students with ASD
- Identify and prepare resources for student with ASD
- Organising resources, schedules
- Setting up the classroom
- Assistive technology
- Providing support to students
- Supporting students’ positive social interaction
- The support workers’ role
- Responding to student’s attempts to interact
- Supporting teaching and learning strategies
- Video modelling
- Positive reinforcement
- Monitoring student progress
- Challenging behaviours
- Triggers for dangerous behaviours
- Calming down
- ASD students
- not understanding danger
- self-harm
- Legal and ethical requirements
- Policies, procedures and codes
Unit 4 - Work with students in need of additional support
- Identify specific learning needs
- Additional learning needs
- Motor skills disorder
- Sensory integration dysfunction
- Cerebral palsy
- Muscular dystrophy
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Gross motor dysfunctions
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Conduct disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cognitive and language development
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Dyspraxia
- Dysgraphia
- Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
- Visual Processing Disorders (VPDs)
- Apraxia of speech
- Expressive language disorder
- Intellectual disability
- Down syndrome
- Barriers to learning
- Development milestones
- Development checklist
- Team planning
- Aboriginal education worker
- Individual Education Programs / Plans (IEPs)
- Developing an IEP
- Ten step plan
- Plan fundamentals
- Behaviour support plan
- Student expectations
- Positive expectations
- Increase access to student learning
- Assemble required resources
- Using assistive technologies
- Computer access aids
- Planned strategies
- English as Second Language (ESL) programs
- Key word signing
- Practice new skills
- Monitor student progress
- Parent communication
- Implementation of programs
- Monitor equipment maintenance
- Power access procedures
Unit 5 - Facilitate learning for students with disabilities
- Law and Ethics
- NQS Quality Framework
- Belonging Being and Becoming
- My Time Our Place
- Compliance requirements
- Accurate and non-discriminatory language
- Promoting individuality
- Group / class activities
- Co-operative learning
- Adapting activities
- Respectful interactions
- Safe learning environments
- Resource and equipment storage
- Classroom comfort
- Lighting and noise
- Equitable classroom use
- Rights and opinions of all students
- Legal and moral responsibilities
- Empowering students
- The right to learn
- Vicious circle of low expectations
- Building strengths and interests
- Long-term and short-term goals
- Support strategies
- Disability types
- Scaffold learning
- Key word signing
- Education support resources
- Social and academic barriers
- Education Adjustment Profiles (EAP)
Study Hours
Estimated duration 75 Hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% Online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Click to See What Our Students Say
Working in a High School as School Learning Support Officer completing this course provided me a greater insight to supporting students who are on the Autism Spectrum Disorder, it provided me skills and tools I needed to support those students. The course was easy to follow with clear instructions and the questions were relevant to my job. I would recommend this course for all School Learning Support Officers working in a school.
Louise | Pottsville, NSW | Certificate of Education Support (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
I enjoyed the course it was informative and educational I have learned strategies and techniques to develop positive and respectful relationships with children.
Anu | South Gladstone, QLD | Certificate of Education Support (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
The course provided valuable tools and knowledge that equip me to support not only students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, but all students with special needs. The flexibility of online learning allowed me to balance my studies with other commitments, and the resources were comprehensive and practical. Overall, I feel more prepared and confident in my ability to make a positive impact in the lives of students with diverse needs.
Geovanna | Brasília, DF | Certificate of Education Support – Autism Spectrum Disorder
I have found it rewarding and reaffirms the practices I have in place in the classroom.
S. O’Driscoll, Coromandel East, SA | Certificate of Education Support (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
I found studying with AOC very convenient and I work full time as well as a Mum. Thank you.
Shona | WA | Certificate of Education Support – Autism Spectrum Disorder
I have had an excellent learning experience online, it allowed me to study at my own pace
Judy | VIC | Certificate of Education Support – Autism Spectrum Disorder
Best experience I have had with studying online.
M. Hurst, Glenlusk, TAS | Certificate of Education Support – Autism Spectrum Disorder
As it has been awhile since being back into the books, I felt this course was very well structured. I thought it was valuable to be asked to do our own research as well.
J. Mackie, Emerald, QLD | Certificate of Education Support (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
Was easy to follow and information was useful
K. Armstrong, Emerald, QLD | Certificate of Education Support (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
The course was really interesting and aligned with my current beliefs, practices and experiences. I have put a number of my staff through this course and think that it is a very valuable course that supports the online learning format for those of us who live rurally and cannot access courses like this face to face.
S. Walters, Emerald, QLD | Certificate of Education Support (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
Excellent content included in the course. I added an additional unit which added extra knowledge to the overall study.
K. Heimeier, Haddon, VIC | Certificate of Education Support – Autism Spectrum Disorder
Well worth it. Very quick in correcting your work.
K. Manchee, Park Orchards, VIC. | The Certificate of Education Support (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
It was amazing. One of the best online training in Australia.
E. Del Nero, Morley, WA | Certificate of Autism Spectrum Disorder
The courses were easy to follow and when needing assistance, the reply was quick and helpful
C, Mallinson, Chifley, ACT | Certificate of Autism Spectrum Disorder
I was satisfied with my online learning and learnt a lot.
M. Catipay, Murray Bridge, SA | Certificate of Education Support (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
I enjoyed studying this course, it was easy to get help if I had trouble with a question.
Krystal | Winter Valley, VIC| Certificate of Autism Spectrum Disorder
I found the course interesting and informative . Access to tutor support was excellent . Will definitely recommend Australian online courses to family and friends
M. Mercuri, Bentleigh East, VIC | Certificate of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Fantastic, interesting and easy to access, overall great course.
A. Collins, QLD | Certificate of Autism Spectrum Disorder
It was a great way to learn more about autism spectrum disorder, it will help me in my career in education support. Thankyou
Nicole | Temora, NSW | Certificate of Education Support – Autism Spectrum Disorder
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrolment Form – Employment Services and Rehabilitation Providers
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development For:
- Teachers
- Teacher Aids
- Childcare Workers
- Community Service Workers
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