Autism and ADHD in Higher Education: – Courses – Optimum Elearning

Gain a comprehensive understanding of how to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for autistic and ADHD students in higher education. Come away with a broad knowledge-base and evidence-based practical toolkit to work confidently with autistic and ADHD learners in all areas of higher education.

Course Content

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UNIT 0: WELCOME TO THE COURSE

UNIT 1: An introduction to Autism and ADHD

Module 1: Autism and ADHD 12 Topics

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1.1 What is autism?

1.1.1 Autism theory

1.1.2 Diagnostic criteria for autism

1.2 What is ADHD?

1.2.1 ADHD current theoretical perspectives

1.2.2 Diagnostic criteria for ADHD

1.3 Diagnosis, disclosure, self-identity, and psychoeducation

1.3.1 The meaning of a diagnosis?

1.3.2 Severity or spiky profiles?

Module 2: Gender and LGBTQIA+ 13 Topics

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2.1 Autism, ADHD, and gender

2.1.1 Autism diagnosis in females

2.1.2 What does autism look like in females?

2.1.3 Fictional case study – Jenny

2.1.4 Delayed diagnosis and mental health ramifications

2.1.5 ADHD and gender

2.1.6 Delayed ADHD diagnosis in females

2.1.7 Delayed diagnosis and mental health ramifications

2.2 Autism and LGBTQIA+

2.2.1 Are autistic students more likely to identify as LGBTQIA+?

2.2.2 Intersectionality and minority stress

Module 3: Models of Disability and Neurodiversity 9 Topics

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3.1 Ways of viewing autism and ADHD

3.1.1 Dr Beardon’s Golden Equation

3.2 Models of disability and neurodiversity

3.2.1 Medical, social, affirmation and biopsychosocial models of disability

3.2.2 Neurodiversity

3.2.3 Identity or person first language?

3.2.4 Critiques of the neurodiversity movement

UNIT 2: Addressing the barriers through Non-medical helper (NMH) Support

Module 1: Barriers to and in higher education 13 Topics

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1.1 What are the barriers in higher education?

1.2 Sensory differences

1.3 Social interaction

1.4 Self-care and independence

1.5 Mental health and wellbeing

1.6 Academic aspects

1.7 The employment gap – thinking about next steps early on

Module 2: Supporting students to work out what the barriers are and how they are overcome 15 Topics

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2.1 ASC NMH Roles

2.1.1 The Mentoring role

2.1.2 The Study Skills and Strategy Support Role

2.2 The key steps to building a safe space

2.2.1 Step One: To listen in a non-judgemental way

2.2.2 Step Two: to adjust for autism and ADHD

2.2.3 Step Three: To build a collaborative tailored partnership

2.2.4 Step Four: To be guided by the student

2.3 Strategies to use in NMH support roles

2.3.1 The nature of NMH support

2.3.2 Chunking and breaking tasks down

2.3.3 Expanding the zone of comfort

2.4 Setting and maintaining boundaries

2.5 Sustaining the relationship over time

UNIT 3: Mental health and wellbeing in autistic and ADHD students in higher education

Module 1: Mental health and wellbeing in autistic and ADHD people 32 Topics

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1.1 Everyone has mental health

1.2 Key risk factors for poor mental health in autism and ADHD

1.2.1 Sensory differences

1.2.2 Bullying, exclusion, stigma, and microaggressions

1.2.3 Emotional lability

1.2.4 Maladaptive coping strategies

1.2.5 Sleep difficulties and insomnia

1.3 Stress and anxiety

1.3.1 Stress versus anxiety

1.3.2 Social anxiety

1.3.3 Stress, anxiety, and sensory differences

1.3.4 Executive functioning, stress, and anxiety

1.4 Self-regulation and masking

1.4.1 What is masking?

1.4.2 What do autistic and ADHD people mask?

1.4.4 Blending in

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Module 2: Strategies to support good mental health and wellbeing in the autistic and ADHD student population 8 Topics

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2.1 Global stability

2.2 Lowering stress: practical approaches

2.3 Lowering anxiety: practical approaches

2.4 Building a shared toolkit of resources

2.4.1 Growing emotional and social literacy

2.4.2 Self-care and energy accounting

2.4.3 Anticipating the need for recovery

UNIT 4: AUTISM AND ADHD AND THE SOCIAL ASPECTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Module 1: The Social Challenges 14 Topics

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1.1 Autistic and ADHD sociality

1.1.1 Autistic sociality

1.1.2 ADHD sociality

1.1.3 Gender differences

1.2 The social experiences of autistic and ADHD students in higher education

1.2.1 Socialising at university

1.2.2 The energy demands of being social

1.2.3 Friendships

1.2.4 Living arrangements

1.2.5 Academic group work

1.2.6 Relationships with academic staff

1.2.7 Sexual relationships

Module 2: How NMH support can help students navigate the social challenges in higher education 4 Topics

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2.1 Building a social network of support

2.2 Navigating social situations

2.3 Addressing social anxiety

2.4 Building social confidence

UNIT 5: AUTISM AND ADHD AND THE ACADEMIC ASPECTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Module 1: Academic aspects 11 Topics

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1.1 Monotropic attention: benefits and challenges

1.3 Mindwandering

1.4 Key academic challenges for autistic and ADHD students

1.4.1 Understanding the task – interpretation and literal thinking

1.4.2 Accessing the task – getting started, following through, finishing off

1.4.3 Executing the task – organisational hurdles

Module 2: How NMH support can help students navigate the academic challenges in higher education 20 Topics

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2.1 Assistive technology

2.1.1 Assistive technology packages for autistic and ADHD students

2.1.2 Assistive technology case study

2.2 How to support autistic and ADHD students with organisation

2.2.1 Mapping time

2.2.2 Mapping progress

2.2.3 Mapping the specific task

2.2.4 Mapping task approach: figuring out when, where, and how one works best

2.3 How to support autistic and ADHD students with academic approaches

2.3.1 Listening, reading, and notetaking strategies

2.3.2 Research tools and strategies

2.3.3 Writing tools and strategies

2.3.4 Task completion and proofreading strategies

2.4 Supporting high-achieving students

2.5 Looking ahead to next steps

2.6 Course conclusion

End of course quiz

‘Supporting diverse academic needs’

Thoughts about Autism and ADHD

About Instructor

Sanja Quayle

3 Courses