UWA PLUS
Principles of Best Practice in Autism Assessment and Diagnosis
This micro-credential will provide students with knowledge and understanding of Australian and international best practice approaches to diagnostic assessment for autism.
At the end of the course, students will be able to identify the key professionals involved in autism diagnostic assessments and their respective roles; describe and explain important considerations to be accounted for in autism diagnostic assessments; and understand the importance of the content and style of communication when sharing diagnostic assessment findings.
Upon successful completion, you'll receive:
- Two PD Points
- A Certificate of Achievement
- A UWA Plus Professional Development Transcript, listing all successfully completed micro-credentials
- Delivery mode
- Online - Self-paced learning Course dates
- Duration
- Self-paced flexible learning, but learners need to attempt the test and quiz and complete the course by the end of the teaching period in which they have enrolled
- Effort
- 50 hours (including contact hours, personal study time and assessment)
- Academic leads
- Associate Professor Iliana Magiati
- Cost
- $660 inc. GST
- Critical information summary
- PSYCM511 Principles of Best Practice in Autism Assessment and Diagnosis [PDF 246KB]
What you'll learn
Identify and describe the Guiding Principles that inform the recommendations contained in the National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Australia
Recognise international best-practice principles in diagnostic assessment for autism
Identify the key professionals involved in diagnostic assessments for autism, and the aspects of the evaluation that each professional is eligible to conduct
Describe and explain the important considerations that should be accounted for during a diagnostic assessment for autism
Demonstrate understanding of the importance of the content and style of communication when sharing autism assessment findings, including report writing
Why study this course?
- This course will provide future students who are interested in autism assessment and diagnosis a university (micro) credential in recognition of their learning
- This micro-credential provides a unique opportunity for a range of professionals to enhance their knowledge of best practice approaches to diagnostic assessment for autism
Who should study this course?
- Anyone interested in autism diagnosis, including professionals and other stakeholders who come into contact with 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. Individuals who support children, adolescents and adults across settings (e.g., child health nurses, school counsellors, mental health practitioners, youth workers) may also be interested in this unit.
Recommended prior study
- It is recommended that students have English competence (ideally Year 12 English level), and some direct experience working with children, adolescents and/or adults in a professional setting (e.g., school, mental health service, youth service).
What's next after this course?
You may be interested in enrolling and completing one or more of our other autism diagnosis micro-credentials, also available through UWA Plus.
Learners who meet the admission requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis (GCAD) offered via The University of Western Australia may consider applying to the GCAD, which will equip students with the advanced knowledge and applied skills required to contribute to multidisciplinary diagnostic assessments for autism. Following the application and selection process, learners who are accepted and enrol in the GCAD will receive credit towards the first two units of the GCAD after successfully completing all seven of the autism diagnosis micro-credentials (PSYCM510, PSYCM511, PSYCM512, PSYCM513, PSYCM514, PSYCM515, and PSYCM516, which comprise GCAD units PSYC5520 and PSYC5521).
Please note that not all learners who enrol and complete the autism diagnosis micro-credentials are eligible to apply for the Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis (GCAD). This is because the GCAD is developed to provide graduates trained in psychology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, paediatrics, or psychiatry with the specialist knowledge and applied skills required to participate in team-based diagnosis for autism. Therefore, acceptance into the GCAD is only available to learners who meet the course eligibility criteria following an application and selection process.
Industry endorsement
This micro-credential is part of a suite of seven credit bearing micro-credentials (CBMCs) developed by Autism CRC, with The University of Western Australia.
