Unit information: Exploring and Understanding Autism in 2021/22

Unit name	Exploring and Understanding Autism
Unit code	EDUC30047
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Sedgewick
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Education
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit is designed to teach students about autism, covering diagnostic processes, theories of autism, and lived experiences of autistic people. We will examine, and interrogate, research around differences in theory of mind, executive functioning, and central coherence. We will also consider social experiences of autistic people, how autism interacts with mental health, and how autism research can become more inclusive at local and global levels. The course examines common interventions used with autistic children and young people, especially in classroom settings, and the everyday implications for autistic people across the lifespan of everything we learn about.

The unit aims to enable students to:

• Be able to critically engage with autism diagnostic criteria, evaluating their usefulness in different populations and contexts
• Critique and evaluate classic and modern theories of autism in the context of empirical research
• Develop a critical awareness of research methods and their application in the autism community
• Evaluate the implications of autism research, theories, and interventions for education policy and practice

Intended Learning Outcomes

The unit will support students to improve their knowledge of autism. Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will demonstrate that they can:

1. Understand the diagnostic features of autism and how it is clinically evaluated
2. Critically analyse theories of autism and how these relate to behaviour
3. Evaluate current interventions for autistic people and their efficacy
4. Synthesise psychological theory with educational applications
5. Show awareness of relevant ethical issues regarding research with vulnerable populations

Teaching Information

This unit will consist of a mix of lectures and seminars, with synchronous and asynchronous components. Group discussions will contribute to summative assessments, and exam prep clinics will be offered in multiple formats.

Assessment Information

Long Essay Questions (100% - ILOs 1-5)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EDUC30047).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.