AU - Autism
Painting the big picture perspectives for every teacher
It beholds all teachers to acquire a fuller picture and understanding of the child with autism. As the child’s class teacher, support teacher or just a teacher meeting a child with autism, you will want to know how best to engage, be that as a professional or simply on a personal human level.
They need us to understand.
This course equips participants with the knowledge, confidence, and practical strategies to effectively teach and support children with autism. Informed by the latest research, expert guidance, and real-world teaching experience, it provides a clear understanding of autism and what inclusion entails in practice. Whether you’re preparing to teach a child with autism or looking to strengthen your approach, this course provides the essential tools to create an environment where autistic pupils can feel understood, supported, and ready to thrive.
Course presenter - Shaun Greville
We are delighted to welcome Shaun Greville as our presenter on this course. Shaun has a wealth of experience and expertise in the teaching of children with autism and provides us with informed guidance and best practice in this area. He has been teaching autistic students for over 25 years and has provided numerous training events over the years to staff and parents in primary, post-primary, special schools and third-level colleges.
Shaun was also a co-author of the Department of Education document, Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools: Supporting Children & Young People, which is regarded as a vital resource for primary school teachers, providing the essential knowledge and strategies needed to support autistic children effectively and inclusively.
Shaun's experience includes a five-year secondment to the NCSE. He fulfilled the roles of Advisor and Assistant National Coordinator for the autism team with a focus on in-school support for teachers and both in-school and external CPD on autism.
We are thrilled to have him share his expertise in this course. Here is a brief introduction from Shaun.
Couse contributor and guest: Dr Temple Grandin
CPD College is thrilled to announce that Temple Grandin, Ph. D., professor, best-selling author, and autism self-advocate, will be our guest for a question-and-answer session with all our autism course teachers in August, an event not to be missed. Temple will answer your questions, and after all, those are the most important questions. We are truly excited by the enormity of this event!
Not only that, but Temple has contributed several articles to enlighten this course on autism, sharing her unique insights and perspectives on what she terms ‘Educating Students with Different Kinds of Minds’!
In a recent article on the Top 25 Prominent Autism Researchers in the World, Autism Parenting Magazine selected Temple as number one. It is no wonder that she is one of the most sought-after speakers in the world on the subject of autism. We are truly humbled that she is taking the time to give us the benefit of her unique expertise and experience.
Enrol today, and join in the conversation on August 19th.
The teacher's voice
A key strength of this course is the contribution of teachers who are already working with autistic pupils in their classrooms. They bring a wealth of real-life insight, offering practical ideas and strategies that have been tested and refined through everyday teaching. From small adjustments to classroom routines to creative ways of supporting communication, sensory regulation, and engagement, these shared experiences provide invaluable learning for all participants.
This collective knowledge helps ground the course in reality, making it both relevant and immediately useful for teachers at all stages of their practice.
NOTE:
The online format of this course enables you to study at a time and place that best suits your own needs.
You can access your course from July 1st to August 22nd 2025.
Within this highly interactive web-based course, a dynamic learning experience awaits, where you can interact with your fellow course participants through the in-course chat forums and communication tools provided by the CPD College learning system.
Our friendly and knowledgeable tutors actively support each course, providing expert interaction, guidance and feedback for all participants on chat questions and assignments which call for critical reflection, self-analysis and a reasoned response.
On successful completion of your course, you can download and print off your CPD record and certificate of completion.
We look forward to welcoming you to your course.
This course aims to:
- Educate teachers on the most up-to-date research informing our understanding of autism and our practice of teaching autistic children
- Explain why language is important and instruct on the most appropriate and acceptable use of language today
- Inform teachers of the characteristics of autism, its prevalence, gender differences and co-occurring difficulties
- Describe what 'whole-school inclusive best practice' looks like
- Explore and review the eight domains of support outlined in the Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools (2022)
- Provide a detailed set of guidelines and strategies for teachers on the best learning environment for children with autism
- Describe the many sensory processing challenges that exist for children with autism and the best strategies for teachers
- Outline and explore the best approaches for language communication and social development
- Discuss and explore strategies and approaches for the behavioural and emotional development of children with autism
- Provide in-depth guidance on structured teaching and the use of visuals
- Inform teachers of the best reference resources available to support their teaching of children with autism
| 01 - Understanding autism. What exactly is autism? What is the latest research saying on its characteristics, prevalence, gender differences and co-occurring difficulties? We look at the latest research on best practices for teachers. Language is explored, as is whole-school inclusive practice. We also explore the eight domains of support from the Autism Good Practice Guidance for Schools (2022) |
| 02 - The learning environment and sensory processing. "The environment as the third teacher" is a key factor when it comes to teaching children with autism. We explore the many sensory processing difficulties that may exist and offer numerous strategies and supports. The module also demonstrates how exercises can be used to develop proprioception and vestibular senses. |
| 03 - Language & Communication and Social development. What are the various challenges that exist for children with autism with respect to language, communication and social development? We explore in detail and provide the best approaches and methodologies for teachers. |
| 04 - Behavioural and emotional development. The latest thinking on 'stressful' rather than 'challenging' behaviour. Why is it important to abandon all assumptions in this domain when teaching children with autism? The most successful strategies that you can apply in your environment. What are the functional skills for daily living that we need to teach? |
| 05 - Structured teaching and the use of visuals. The importance of consistency and structure. We cover structured teaching in detail, including the classroom set-up and design. The use of both visual and written schedules. TEACCH, PECS, social stories and 'Attention Autism' are all covered. |