UWA PLUS
Autism: diagnostic features and assessment approaches in children (6-16 years)
Students who undertake this microcredential will gain the knowledge required to identify key diagnostic features of autism, and to distinguish between neurotypical and neurodivergent development, in childhood (6-16 years). The course also considers the range of assessment methods and tools that may be used to gather clinical information required for an autism diagnostic assessment in children and young people, and explores the importance of this information for diagnostic evaluations.
Upon successful completion, you'll receive:
- Two PD Points - stackable for unspecified academic credit in award courses
- A Certificate of Achievement
- A UWA Plus Professional Development Transcript, listing all successfully completed micro-credentials
- Delivery mode
- Online
- Start date
- Coming soon (expected April 2023)
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Effort
- 50 hours
- Academic Lead
- Dr Lauren Taylor and Associate Professor Iliana Magiati
- Cost
- $660 inc. GST
- Critical information summary
- PSYCM513 Autism: diagnostic features and assessment approaches in children (6-16 years) [PDF 248KB]
What you'll learn
Identify indicators of, and distinguish between, neurotypical and neurodivergent development in children and young people aged 6-16 years across a range of developmental domains
Identify and describe key diagnostic features of autism in children and young people aged 6-16 years
Identify the assessment methods and tools that may be used in diagnostic assessments for autism in children and young people aged 6-16 years
Apply knowledge of signs of autism and best practice autism diagnostic assessment in children and young people aged 6-16 years to a case scenario
Outline the clinical information that can be gathered from the different assessment approaches and explain why this information is important in diagnostic assessments for autism in children and young people aged 6-16 years
Why study this course?
This short course will provide students who are interested in autism assessment and diagnosis with an opportunity to gain a University micro-credential to recognise their learning. It also provides a unique opportunity for a range of professionals to enhance their knowledge of key diagnostic features of autism in childhood.
Recommended prior knowledge
It is recommended that students have English competence (ideally Year 12 English level), and have some direct experience working with children and/ or young people.
Who should study this course?
This micro-credential will be of interest to anyone interested in autism diagnosis, including professionals and other stakeholders who come into contact with children and young people suspected of being autistic, and for whom formal assessment might be warranted.
This includes allied health professionals, such as practicing psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and social workers, as well as medical professionals (e.g., GPs, paediatricians and psychiatrists) who regularly conduct autism assessments in the course of their practice.
What's next after this course?
Students who enrol in all seven of the micro-credentials relating to autism assessment and diagnosis (PSYCM510, PSYCM511, PSYCM512, PSYCM5613, PSYCM514, PSYCM515, and PSYCM516, which comprise the PSYC5520 and PSYC5521 units), may be eligible to apply for, and if selected, enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis (GCAD; course code: 70230).
After enrolling in the GCAD and successfully completing all 7 of these micro-credentials, students will receive credit towards the GCAD, which will equip students with the advanced knowledge and applied skills required to contribute to multidisciplinary diagnostic assessments for autism.
Applications open soon
Expression of Interest for the course are open, get in contact to be notified when applications open.