This April, deepen your understanding of autism, grow your confidence and take a meaningful step towards more inclusive support.
Free online course • Certificate included • Fully funded for eligible learners
Help make the world a little more autism friendly…
Millions are unfamiliar with what life looks like for adults and children with ASD. Do your bit to make change in the lives of autistic people by understanding autism.
Fully funded through the UK Government’s Adult Skills Fund (ASF). No cost for eligible learners.
Learn to support autistic people effectively in 6–12 weeks.
Gain a nationally recognised, accredited Level 2 qualification.
Fully funded for eligible adults through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF).
This free online understanding autism course provides a detailed understanding of what it’s like for an individual to live with autism.
You will gain a thorough introduction to autism, covering what is meant by ‘autism’. You will explore theories, and diagnosis and investigate person-centred support, communication, interaction, behaviour, and how you can help support healthy and fulfilled lives.
By spreading awareness and understanding, together we can make a difference.
Learn in confidence with support from a qualified tutor throughout the course.
Join thousands of learners in growing both professionally and personally.
Source: National Autistic Society
Your free course is split into manageable units.
There are no exams. You will complete assessment questions based on the skills and knowledge you have gained from the course units below…
This unit provides you with an introduction to autism, covering what is meant by ‘autism’, theories, and diagnosis.
You will also look at common misconceptions associated with autism and conditions that can co-occur with autism.
This unit covers using a person-centred approach to support individuals with autism, incorporating the preferences and needs of the individual.
You will also look at legislation and guidance, and the support networks
available to individuals and their families.
This unit covers the potential delays and difficulties in speech, language, and social development sometimes faced by individuals with autism.
It also covers methods and strategies that could be used when communicating with an individual with autism.
In this unit, you will gain an understanding of sensory processing, perception, and cognition in individuals with autism – including looking at hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity.
You will also consider how to support the sensory needs of individuals with autism.
Through this unit you will understand individuals’ behaviours in the context of autism.
You will also look at how to support positive behaviour and help individuals to develop coping strategies.
This unit covers how to support individuals through transitions and life events, how to maintain their personal safety, and how to access services, facilities and employment opportunities.
You will also gain an understanding of what it’s like for an individual to live with autism.
How Maryann gained confidence to support her sons and others…
When Maryann joined our Understanding Autism course, she simply wanted to learn how to better support her two sons, both of whom have varying traits of autism.
What she found was far more than knowledge; it was empowerment…
Through the free online training, Maryann gained the clarity and confidence to support her sons’ unique needs, helping them thrive in their daily lives.
The course even inspired her to make a difference beyond her family…
For Maryann, Understanding Autism became more than a course; it became a way to create positive change for the people she cares about most…
3 simple steps to qualification…
You can begin your stress-free journey to qualification by completing the short form on this page.
Once submitted, we’ll instantly match you with a relevant training provider based on your location to complete your enrolment.
Enjoy a flexible and engaging learning experience through an award-winning online platform with support from a qualified tutor.
You can access first-class resources, interactive case studies, and support tools. All available on any device, anytime.
Your nationally recognised level 2 certificate proves you’ve developed essential new skills and in-depth knowledge. The qualification is accredited by either NCFE or TQUK, depending on your location.
It’s a powerful personal achievement that boosts confidence, enhances employability, supports CPD and opens the door to further study or career progression.
Watch recent video testimonials from our learners…
The level 2 certificate is available online through one of our approved training provider partners, with the specific provider depending on your location.
The course is fully funded for eligible learners in England through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), formerly known as the Adult Education Budget (AEB), which supports adult learning and skill development across the country.
More people than ever now qualify for free courses…
Our friendly course advisers are here to help you every step of the way.
Whether you have questions about eligibility, course details, enrolment, or need guidance, we’ve got you covered.
Read our advisers’ Trustpilot reviews…
Great experience, Kelly explained the course to me over the phone in great detail. Thank you 😊
Charlotte Redden
Kelly Addis was really helpful, engaging and knowledgable. She made the application process really easy.
Luke
I’m so happy that I applied for a free course. Kelly Addis has been extremely helpful.
Yvonne Hinckesman
Excellent customer service from Kelly Addis. Thank you for the easy steps.
Azalea O'Rourke
Mark was very professional, helpful, approachable, and very quick to respond to any queries I had.
Nicole Powell
I would like to thank Mark Bromwich for helping me on to a level 2 course. He made the process very easy.
Ben Hudston
Thank you to Mark Bromwich for being a friendly and helpful guide to start me on the road to achieving my next learning goals.
Shani Storrie
My advisor, Mark Bromwich, has been brilliant. Very responsive to questions and full of helpful information too.
Gill Clulow
Thank you Helen for the excellent support. I cannot recommend these courses highly enough.
Ali Gowe
Helen made me feel comfortable and helped me fully understand how to navigate through the course from the very start.
Heywood Similon
Excellent service with easy to follow instructions. Dealt with Helen Whitthread who was very professional and helpful.
Paul Griffiths
Helen Whitthread, as student advisor, was fabulous and helped with a very quick and efficient enrolment.
Carla Johnson
Quick, easy and very friendly enrolment. Thank you Helen Whitthread
Stewart Flatters
You can go ahead and enrol online right away, but if you’d like a bit of extra support, choose the call or WhatsApp option when signing up below.
One of our friendly advisors will be in touch to check in and offer free one-to-one support with your enrolment.
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Chat with Sam to check eligibility, understand funding, and see if this course is right for you — all in one place.
Enrol online in under 10 minutes…
Check Your Eligibility
*View visa restrictions
Funding isn’t available for Skilled Worker visas, Student visas, Graduate visas, Sponsorship (skilled/seasonal) visas, or any visa with a study restriction.
If this applies, you won’t be eligible for funding.
Start Your Enrolment
If you meet the eligibility criteria then YES!
We connect you with learning providers that use government funding, in the form of the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the Adult Educational Budget (AEB).
Understanding autism is a level 2 qualification.
The qualification is accredited by NCFE CACHE or TQUK and regulated by Ofqual.
All of our courses are accredited by UK government-recognised awarding bodies. These include NCFE CACHE and TQUK, with whom we work closely to ensure our existing courses, and all new ones, meet approved standards of excellence and are certified as such. NCFE CACHE and TQUK are national awarding organisations that design, develops and certifies nationally recognised qualifications and awards.
All qualifications are regulated by Ofqual and are the perfect way to boost any CV.
You can only take one course at a time but you can take up to 7 in one academic year.
No, there are no exams, all courses require you to complete assessment questions based on the knowledge you have just gained from the units.
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TQUK qualifications are delivered by The Skills Network.
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