Unit: Supporting pupils with autism

This unit is from our course SEND Inclusive Teaching Programme, which is one of the eight different courses in our ‘SEN’ and ‘Safeguarding’ categories.

The full course contents are:

• Unit 1: Developing inclusive teaching
• Unit 2: Identifying SEND need
• Unit 3: Working with parents
• Unit 4: Successful classroom partnerships
• Unit 5: Supporting pupils with autism (this unit)
• Unit 6: Supporting sensory and physical impairments
• Unit 7: Attachment disorders and mental health
• Unit 8: Supporting pupils with ADHD
• Unit 9: Speech, language and communication needs
• Unit 10: Dyslexia, dyscalculia and accessing the curriculum

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. This in turn impacts on the learning of pupils with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD).

Teachers are responsible for the learning of all pupils, including those with ASD. Therefore, it is vital that teachers know how to provide effective support for these pupils. This unit provides advice and guidance on how to overcome barriers to learning and help pupils form relationships.

• Recognise the key characteristics of ASD and how it can affect children.
• Identify how it may affect pupils’ learning.
• Develop your ability to support pupils with ASD to overcome barriers to learning and achieve expected