Autism Awareness is an essential introductory course for care staff working in residential, supported living, or domiciliary settings. Whether or not your service currently supports people with autism, understanding how autism may affect communication, interaction, and sensory processing is vital to high-quality care.

This course equips frontline workers and support staff with the knowledge and confidence to recognise and respond to the strengths and challenges experienced by many people with autism. It offers practical strategies for creating enabling environments. Registered managers will find this course supports staff development and aligns with CQC expectations around inclusive, person-centred practice.

Key Learning

• Describe what is meant by the autism spectrum
• Recognise common characteristics and behaviours of people with autism
• Understand how autism may affect communication and interaction
• Identify the difference between behaviour and communication
• Explore sensory processing differences and environmental impact
• Adapt communication styles to better support understanding
• Consider practical ways to enable independence and choice
• Reflect on unconscious bias and assumptions

This 3-hour Autism Awareness course offers an accessible, reflective introduction to understanding and supporting people with autism in care settings. It encourages learners to think differently about behaviour, to recognise communication needs that may not be verbal, and to adapt their care practices to meet individuals where they are.

Learners will explore the wide-ranging ways autism may present across different people and contexts. The course looks at how sensory sensitivities, routine preferences, and social interaction differences can affect wellbeing — and what staff can do to support more effectively. Through real-world scenarios and group discussion, learners will consider person-centred strategies that promote dignity, respect, and inclusion.

This course supports care providers in meeting CQC requirements around neurodivergent support. It also helps meet responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 .

Relevant Standards Covered:

Care Certificate Standard 4 – Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights

Care Certificate Standard 6 – Communication

Open course per person          £97

In-house for up to 6 people    £343

In-house for up to 12 people  £365