Online Class: Autism 101

Course Description: Understanding Autism - Beyond Myths and Towards Empowerment

Autism, a word that has been surrounded by various misconceptions and unfounded beliefs, is not a result of poor parenting or merely a learning disability. This neurodevelopmental disorder does come with its unique challenges, but it is essential to understand it as a diverse spectrum that offers incredible opportunities for growth and understanding. Moreover, its impact isn't confined to those diagnosed with the condition but extends to their families, friends, and the broader community.

One might find it daunting when faced with a diagnosis that has a spectrum of opinions, especially among medical professionals. The journey for parents whose child has been diagnosed with autism can indeed seem unfamiliar and challenging compared to the path they might have envisioned. However, it's vital to highlight that this journey isn't devoid of hope, success, or accomplishments.

Recent studies indicate that 1 in 54 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), emphasizing the prevalence and importance of understanding this condition. Throughout history, many individuals with traits of autism have achieved remarkable success. Dr. Temple Grandin, a college professor and professional speaker, has broken barriers and provided invaluable insights into the autistic world. Historical figures, like Albert Einstein, also displayed characteristics consistent with autism. These individuals stand testament to the fact that autism, when understood and nurtured, can be a unique strength.

Our course aims to provide comprehensive insights into autism, dismantling myths, and empowering you with knowledge.

Course Modules:

Lesson 1: Autism: Myths and Misconceptions Dive deep into prevalent misunderstandings surrounding autism, and arm yourself with facts.

Lesson 2: An Overview of a Special World -- Autism! A holistic introduction to autism, understanding its wide spectrum, and appreciating its nuances.

Lesson 3: Exploring the History and Language of Autism Traverse through time to understand the evolution of our understanding of autism and its associated terminologies.

Lesson 4: Symptoms, Screening, and Diagnosis Equip yourself with knowledge on the early signs, the screening process, and the methodologies involved in diagnosing autism.

Lesson 5: Treatment Options - Understanding, Evaluating, Deciding, and Managing Delve into various therapeutic and management options, their efficacy, and application.

Lesson 6: Education -- You, Yours, and Everyone Else! Learn about the educational landscape for those with autism, ensuring the right resources for a fruitful learning experience.

Lesson 7: Family Life With Autism Discover the dynamics of a family where a member has autism, understanding challenges, and celebrating unique joys.

Lesson 8: The Beginning of Life: A Child With Autism Focus on the early years, from infancy to adolescence, and understand the developmental milestones and potential challenges.

Lesson 9: Continuing Life: Living as an Autistic Adult Step into the world of an autistic adult, exploring their aspirations, challenges, relationships, and professional lives.

Lesson 10: Communicating Within the Autistic World Master the art of communication with and within the autistic community, fostering understanding and empathy.

Lesson 11: Support Is Often the Key - Choices and Options Uncover the vast network of support systems available for those with autism and their families, ensuring a nurturing environment.

In conclusion, our course on autism seeks to shed light on a condition that has for long been misunderstood. With a blend of factual data, personal anecdotes, and practical knowledge, we aim to provide a well-rounded understanding of autism. By the end of this course, participants will not only be informed but also empowered to be allies, advocates, and champions for the autistic community. Join us in this enlightening journey, and together, let's champion understanding and inclusivity.

Courses Frequently Bought Together:

Autism Spectrum Disorders for Teachers

Attention Deficit Disorders: ADD and ADHD

Understanding Learning Styles

Course Motivation

This course is not only designed to give people intimately touched by autism a proper and practical insight into the condition, but also to educate others in a way that will enable them to see autism in a much clearer light. This can enable them to actively participate in the promotion of a much more positive and pro-active attitude about this disorder and its sufferers.

The main reason that autism is so very difficult to characterize is that it is so very "individual," varying greatly from one person to the next. That is why it is called a "spectrum disorder" – meaning that its signs and symptoms vary both in frequency and severity – with practically every individual being affected differently.

Therefore, the objective of this particular lesson is to sift through a number of the myths and misconceptions connected with autism, and give you the full facts so you then have an accurate and full picture of the reality.

For example -- "children with autism rarely attend college," "individuals diagnosed with autism usually end up having to live in institutions," or "autism is an emotional disability," or even that "autism is rare": These are just a few of the totally incorrect myths connected to autism.

As a matter of interest, for those more analytical types, autism is the fastest growing disability in the United States – with over 1.5 million individuals being diagnosed. A little daunting?

Some of the more common myths would include:

1. All people with autism have special abilities, as displayed by Dustin Hoffman's character, Raymond Babbitt, in the movie Rainman.

2. Children with autism cannot speak.

3. Autistic children cannot learn in a normal school and need to be educated in a special program.

4. Children with autism cannot learn social skills, and therefore cannot relate at all to others.

5. People with autism cannot be active contributing members of the community.

6. Autism can be cured utilizing special diets and supplements, as it is caused by allergies and or chemical imbalances.

7. People with autism just don't want to interact with others.

8. Schoolmates of an autistic child shouldn't be told about their classmate's disorder, as they won't notice any difference anyway.

9. Programs of a behavioral nature can and will cure autism. 

10. Females are more likely than males to be diagnosed with autism.

The reality is:

1. Only a minute number of people with ASDs have extremely high IQs and are able to do amazing things (sometimes referred to as "splinter skills"). By far, most autistic people have average, or in some cases, slightly less than average, skills.
 

2. It's accurate to say that some children with autism cannot speak, but when the condition is both recognized and dealt with early, some three-quarters of those children are then able to communicate verbally. 
 

3. To actually separate autistic children and place them in a separate program would, if anything, inhibit their ability to learn -- and severely limit their possible progress. One of the symptoms of ASDs is abnormal social interaction, and surely one of the main goals of any educational program is to develop the children involved into contributing members of society. Therefore, to separate them would most likely inhibit their ability to learn the necessary social behaviors required of every normal human being. It's not only the autistic children that benefit from a normal school setting, it's also the other children in the class who can learn and benefit from mixing with others who are different.

4. The answer here, again, is to start early, and for intervention programs to be developed around that specific individual's disorder and needs. Remember that autistic children don't have the ability (that normal children do) to develop social skills along the way, unless actively taught how to develop them.

Autistic children can certainly have relationships with other children, and with other people. The myth that autistic people cannot have relationships with others most probably stems from the fact that the majority of them do not like to be touched. This doesn't necessarily mean they cannot love someone, but that they simply don't like to be touched by others – and may even find touch painful.
 

5. Many, many people with autism go on to have very successful careers and meaningful lives within their communities. 
 

6. Just the same as anyone else, autistic people may have allergies and intolerances to certain things that affect their health and behavior, but the assertions that dietary changes and/or supplements can provide a cure is totally wrong.
 

7. Simply not true! Both autistic children and adults want to interact with others. However, the disorder does make it very difficult for them to develop the normal social skills which allow them to build friendships and social relationships with others.
 

8. The honest truth is that autism is noticeable, some cases more than others, naturally. Also, let's face it: Children are much more perceptive than they are usually given credit for, and certainly more perceptive than a lot of adults.

Children as young as three will notice differences in the people around them, and if they are not provided with the correct background information about a classmate's disorder, invariably they will draw their own conclusions, which is not always the best thing.

Naturally, before any classmate's situation (whether it be in reference to general health, a disability or anything else) is discussed in a classroom situation, the parents' permission must be sought and granted.
 

9. The people that claim that behavioral programs can cure autism are not only incorrect, but downright dishonest -- to make a claim of this sort is reprehensible. 

Behavioral programs will often help a person be better able to handle autism, but they will definitely not cure it. Autism does not have a cure.