Assessed - Autism in Adulthood: Building understanding, engagement and neurodiversity-affirming practice 2025

he course is self-paced and students can enrol throughout the year. For the assessed course there are timings for the three assessment activities in relation to when students commence, with assignments due at 4 weeks, 7 weeks and 10 weeks after commencement respectively. However, students can complete the other coursework in their own time.

There are ten modules covering a number of topics related to autism in adulthood including the neurodiversity paradigm, independent living, mental health, employment, advocacy, identity and gender diversity. The approach taken in the course is strongly based in the neurodiversity paradigm and the human rights model of disability. The course was created by autistic advocate Yenn Purkis and focuses on supporting and empowering neurodivergent and autistic adults and building understanding of how to support them to navigate life well.

The course aims to educate students about autism in adulthood, open a conversation around autism and provide insights into issues and experiences of autistic adults. On completing the course students will have an increased understanding of the needs and experience of autistic adults and how to work with them effectively and in an inclusive way.

The course is primarily aimed at university students studying autism / disability. However, it is open to everyone. Masters students participating in the course will need to complete three assessment tasks for accreditation. Non-students do not need to complete the assessment tasks.

There are three assessment tasks – two essays and one research activity. Facilitator Yenn Purkis will mark the assessment tasks.

If you have enrolled in the assessed version of the course you will need to complete all three assessment tasks in order to attain accreditation. If you are enrolled in the non-assessed version of the course, you will not need to complete the assessment tasks.

The three assessment tasks attract a pass or fail grade. Students will need to achieve a pass grade for all three activities in order to pass the course.

The assessed version of the course will count towards accreditation for students undertaking the Masters in Autism at the University of Wollongong. You will need to complete an application form for Credit and email Dr Amanda Webster a copy of this and a certificate of successful completion.

We understand that sometimes things arise such as illness which are out of the student's control which may make it necessary to request an extension. However, these requests should be used only in exceptional circumstances. To request an extension or if you are concerned about your ability to complete one of more of the assessment tasks, please contact the course facilitator (Yenn Purkis) directly to discuss.

There is a video tutorial for each module of the course. These include a summary of the content and some points for consideration for each of the modules.

The course creator and facilitator is Yenn Purkis. Yenn is an autistic and ADHD advocate, author, presenter and consultant. They have been working in the neurodiversity and inclusion space since 2005. Yenn has written 18 published books and they have given two TEDx talks. Yenn created this course to support understanding and inclusion around autism

Please direct any questions relating to the course content to Yenn - Funnyauthorperson@gmail.com

Anything related to Admin or Tech support please contact admin@mylifemydecisions.org