Distance Learning - Understanding Autism Certificate L2 (24/25)

Autism is a complex developmental condition which has been receiving more and more attention in recent years. This course will give you a solid foundation of knowledge around the challenges, benefits, support and legal issues centred around autism. We would recommend this course to anyone who wishes to understand the autistic spectrum. This could be to relate better to a loved one or a colleague, or as training for supporting autistic people for teachers and support workers.

Learners start and complete our distance learning courses every day, all year, so there is no need to wait until term begins. The courses are designed to be ready when you are, so you can fit it into your schedule.

Study takes place in an online virtual learning environment (VLE) where you can study at any time and at your own pace. We ask that learners complete their courses within the given timeframe and that as a broad average most courses can take approximately 6-8 hours per week to complete. However, timeframes are flexible on a person-by-person basis should any learners require reasonable adjustments or other additional support.

Please Be Aware

The content of this course covers a wide range of issues related to autism and other neurodiverse conditions. There will be reference to topics which are potentially distressing.

• Learners must live in England
• Learners must not live in a  local combined authority, apart from West of England Combined Authority (WECA)
• Learners must have lived in the European Economic area or the UK for at least
  the last three years
• Non-UK nationals will be asked to supply evidence of their immigration status
• Learners aged 19-23 must already hold a either a full level 2 qualification, or 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above

Distance learning relies on communication between you and the college. We appreciate that learners with busy lives might face challenges in keeping up with their courses. All we ask is that learners stay in touch with us. Learners who don't risk being withdrawn from their courses.

Remote distance learners are afforded access to every kind of support available to on campus learners. This includes Welfare support and additional learning support.

We have a dedicated Learning Support coordinator who can offer one-to-one support to learners. This can be for a myriad of reasons, ranging from disability, learning difficulties, or just needing some help after being out of education for a long time. There is no need to have a formal diagnosis of any condition to access this support.

Learners are paired with an experienced assessor and they submit work and are assessed online using the virtual learning environment e-Assessor Pro. Learners are given detailed feedback on their work by their assessors. Any reasonable adjustments to assessment arrangements are made on a person-by-person basis.

Our courses have set durations however we are sympathetic with learners who have busy lifestyles and other demands on their time. As a general average we recommend that learners spend approximately 6-8 hours learning time per week. This can include interacting with learning content, completing assessments and other learning such as secondary reading, research or receiving learning support. Any learner who has concerns with the time commitment should contact us to discuss ways we can support them.

Our distance learning courses are planned to meet both local and national skills needs. These courses are ideal as additional development for professionals, or as introductions to topics and issues which are relevant to finding work or further training. Distance learning students are able to access careers advice via the college's Student Services team. several of our courrses complement each other and learners are able to study up to three courses each academic year (1st August-31st July).