Understanding Learning Disabilities and Autism Course

Understanding Learning Disabilities and Autism – Online Course

Course overview
This online course provides an introduction to recognising learning disabilities and autism and understanding how they affect communication, behaviour, health and everyday life. It explores identification, assessment, diagnosis, effective communication, reasonable adjustments and appropriate support strategies. Learners also look at the importance of timely referrals, collaborative working and respecting the rights of autistic people and individuals with learning disabilities. The course takes approximately one hour and is CPD accredited.

Please note: This is an introductory course providing knowledge-based training. It does not replace any practical, role-specific or regulated training that an employer may require, and the source text does not state that it is the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training.

What the course covers
• What autism is, and autism in healthcare
• Identification and assessment of autism, including functional analysis
• Interventions for autism
• Organisation and delivery of care
• Understanding, supporting and working with autistic adults
• Supporting care pathways and sensitive topics
• Multi-disciplinary teams and involving families, partners and carers
• Interventions and monitoring
• What learning disabilities are, including their characteristics and the difference from a learning difficulty
• The overlap between learning disabilities and other disorders, and primary difficulties

Who is it for?
The course is suitable for anyone working with or supporting autistic people or individuals with learning disabilities. This includes:
• Healthcare assistants, nurses and allied health professionals
• Support workers, adult social care staff, residential care workers and domiciliary carers
• GP practice staff, community healthcare teams and mental health services
• Education professionals
• Voluntary sector workers
• Anyone providing person-centred support

It can be used for induction, refresher training and continuing professional development, and organisations can use it to improve inclusion, communication and the quality of support across health and social care settings.

Practical benefits
• Understand learning disabilities and autism within a person-centred framework
• Recognise when reasonable adjustments improve access and outcomes
• Apply effective communication techniques in everyday practice
• Support safer, more inclusive and respectful care
• Improve confidence when identifying concerns and referral needs
• Support compliance with UK equality and care standards
• Gain a CPD-accredited certificate for professional development

What learners will be able to do
• Explain the core principles and terminology associated with learning disabilities and autism
• Recognise why the subject matters in day-to-day practice
• Identify common risks, concerns or situations relevant to the topic
• Understand individual responsibilities and role boundaries
• Apply good-practice principles in workplace situations
• Communicate effectively with relevant people when issues arise
• Recognise when advice, reporting or escalation is required
• Use the learning to support safer, more consistent practice

Is this training a legal requirement?
No UK law requires every employee to complete this training. However, employers have legal duties to provide appropriate training where necessary to enable staff to work safely and competently. The Equality Act 2010 requires reasonable adjustments for disabled people, and the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 requires providers to ensure staff have appropriate competence, skills and experience. The training also supports implementation of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism where applicable within health and care services.

Assessment and certificate
Learners complete an online multiple-choice test. After successfully completing the assessment, they can download a CPD-accredited digital certificate straight away. The course is delivered online with instant access, so it can be studied on a phone, tablet or computer at the learner’s own pace.