Free online courses about autism
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Online courses for parents of autistic children

There are a range of online courses for parents and carers to help them understand autism and related conditions. Some are free and some are not.

Understanding Autism
Understand more about autism, including diagnosis, the autistic spectrum and life with autism. Free.
Click here to visit the FutureLearn website to learn more

The autistic spectrum: From theory to practice
This is a free course from the Open University. Here is what they have to say about it:
“Most of us have a very vague and narrow concept of what autism is, based mainly on such stereotypes as Dustin Hoffman’s character in the film Rain Man. In this free course, The autistic spectrum: From theory to practice, you will discover that there is a wide spectrum of disorders associated with autism, and an equally wide range of approaches to diagnosis and treatment.”
Visit the Open University website to learn more

Introduction to Autism
The module may take between 20 to 30 minutes to work through and is intended to provide a introduction to the topic of Autism and Asperger Syndrome. This course has been produced in partnership by the SHIP autism workforce development and training group; (Southampton; Hampshire; Isle of Wight and Portsmouth’s Health and Social Care Authorities and Hampshire Autistic Society.)
Click here to take the course 

National Autistic Society’s Online Training
The National Autistic Society have a range of excellent online modules for parents, carers and professionals. There is a small fee for each one.
Visit the NAS website to learn more

Foundation-level SEND Law training from IPSEA
IPSEA offer entry-level online training, aimed mainly at parents. This would also complement the Foundation SEND Law One-Day Training. It allows participants to study in their own time to learn more about topics covered during the in-house course.
Visit the IPSEA website to learn more and book a place

Understanding Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD is a free online course delivered by the University of Derby. Many of our parents have enjoyed taking this course.
Click here to visit the website

Autism MOOC was a six-week course, run in 2015 by the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. They have made this self-paced version of the course.

SMART-ASD: Matching Autistic People with Technology Resources is a free course that runs for four weeks. Run by Future Learn, it covers how technology can help autistic children. Click here to learn more and register your interest.

Hope Programme
Digital programme to help you manage health and wellbeing.  click here for more information.