This autism training for early years practitioners gives you a deeper understanding of what autism is, the identifiable signs, and practical strategies to support autistic children in your care. Autism affects around 1 in 100 people in the UK — over 700,000 people are currently recognised as being on the autistic spectrum — and it is a developmental disability that affects a person’s communication skills and how they perceive the environment around them.
For a nursery or pre-school, this understanding is especially important because signs often become visible when a child’s environment changes — and starting at a setting is exactly that moment. A child on the autistic spectrum may find social interaction difficult, avoid eye contact with peers, or remain isolated from their usual peer group. Developed by subject specialists, this course helps your team recognise what they are seeing and respond with confidence.
What you’ll learn
- What autism is and the challenges it presents for practitioners
- The Autistic Spectrum and how it presents differently from child to child
- The strengths as well as the challenges of being on the Autistic Spectrum
- The identifiable signs of autism and the developmental challenges an autistic child may face
- Associated challenges, including sensory perception difficulties
- Practical strategies for working with children with ASD and aiding their development
Who this course is for
This course suits all early years practitioners, key persons and SENCOs who are supporting autistic children — or children awaiting assessment — in their setting. Because early years is so often where signs are first noticed, it is valuable awareness training for every member of your team.
Why this training matters
Children often begin to show signs of autism early, but those signs are frequently recognised only when their environment changes — such as when they join a nursery or pre-school. Practitioners who understand the spectrum, its strengths and its challenges can adapt their approach, support each child’s development and communicate what they observe. Your completion certificate also provides evidence for compliance and audit.
How the course works
The course is delivered online through media-rich learning with voiceovers, so you can study on any device, at your own pace. The guided duration is around one hour, making it straightforward to complete individually or as part of whole-team training.
Your certificate
Successful candidates are awarded the National Nursery Training Understanding Autism Course Completion Certificate, which can be used as evidence for compliance and audit and towards your continuing professional development (CPD). National Nursery Training is an NFAQ-accredited provider and an accredited CPD Training Provider (#776846) with the CPD Accreditation Group.
