UWA PLUS
Autism: Contemporary diagnostic frameworks
This micro-credential will provide students with comprehensive knowledge of key diagnostic concepts and their application to diagnostic assessments for autism; contemporary diagnostic frameworks for autism, including the DSM-5-TR criteria, specifiers and support levels; and changes in the approach to autism assessment and diagnosis over time.
At the end of this micro-credential, students will be able to associate key indicators of autism with each respective diagnostic criterion and apply the diagnostic criteria for autism to case examples.
Upon successful completion, you'll receive:
- One PD Point - stackable for unspecified academic credit in award courses
- A Certificate of Achievement
- A UWA Plus Professional Development Transcript, listing all successfully completed micro-credentials
- Delivery mode
- Online
- Start date
- Coming soon (expected February - April 2023)
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Effort
- 25 hours
- Academic Lead
- Dr Lauren Taylor and Associate Professor Iliana Magiati
- Cost
- $330 inc. GST
- Critical information summary
- PSYCM510 Autism: Contemporary diagnostic frameworks [PDF 243KB]
What you'll learn
Outline the diagnostic criteria for autism as described in current diagnostic manuals
Identify key behavioural features of autism that are relevant to each of the DSM-5-TR autism domains and diagnostic criteria
Identify the defining features of each of the severity/ support levels that are applied to a DSM-5-TR autism diagnosis
Apply knowledge of the diagnostic criteria for autism, including the specifiers and support levels, to brief case examples
Explain key changes in autism diagnostic approaches over time and compare historical and contemporary conceptualisations of autism
Why study this course?
This micro-credential will provide future students who are interested in autism assessment and diagnosis with a University (micro) credential to recognise their learning. The course provides a unique opportunity for a range of professionals and other stakeholders to enhance their knowledge and application of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder.
Recommended prior knowledge
It is recommended that students have English competence (ideally Year 12 English level), and some direct experience working with children, adolescents and/or adults in a professional setting (e.g., school, mental health service, youth service).Who should study this course?
This micro-credential will be of interest to anyone interested in autism diagnosis, including professionals and other stakeholders who come into contact with people suspected of being autistic, and for whom formal assessment might be warranted.
This includes allied health professionals, such as practicing psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and social workers, as well as medical professionals (e.g., GPs, paediatricians and psychiatrists) who regularly conduct autism assessments in the course of their practice.
Individuals who support children, adolescents and adults across settings (e.g., child health nurses, school counsellors, mental health practitioners, youth workers) may also be interested in this micro-credential.
What's next after this course?
Students who enrol in all seven of the micro-credentials relating to autism assessment and diagnosis (PSYCM510, PSYCM511, PSYCM512, PSYCM513, PSYCM514, PSYCM515, and PSYCM516, which comprise PSYC5520 and PSYC5521) may be eligible to apply for, and if selected, enrol in the Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis (GCAD; course code: 70230).
After enrolling in the GCAD and successfully completing all 7 of these micro-credentials, students will receive credit towards the Graduate Certificate in Autism Diagnosis, which will equip students with the advanced knowledge and applied skills required to contribute to multidisciplinary diagnostic assessments for autism.
Applications open soon
Expression of Interest for the course are open, get in contact to be notified when applications open.