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

The course commences on 29 July 2024 and concludes on 10 November 2024.

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 of Wollongong Masters in Autism students. 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.

All of the modules in the course have activities. These activities are not assessed and are self-paced for students to complete to strengthen their knowledge. Students do not need to complete the activities if they do not want to, but it is recommended that they do complete them as they form a core part of strengthening understanding.

If you have enrolled in the assessed version of the course you will need to complete all three assessment tasks. 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.

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 will be five online tutorials for this course. These will take place on 12 August, 26 August, 9 September, 7 October and 21 October. You will be sent a Zoom link for each of the tutorials.

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 17 published books and they have given two TEDx talks. Yenn created this course to support understanding and inclusion around autism and to complement the work of the University of Wollongong and the Master’s in Autism course.

Contact Yenn Purkis directly with any questions- ypurkis@uow.edu.au