Has anyone done the OU Understanding Autism Course?

[moosemama]

My parents have just offered to pay for me to do this course and I was just wondering if anyone here had already done it.

If so, could I ask how approximately how much time each week it took up and what your thoughts were about the course in general? Also, how useful would it be if taken primarily as the parent of a child with ASD, rather than for any professional reasons?

I have been sort of mulling over the idea of studying to be a dietician after dd starts school and this module would count towards that if do decide to go ahead, but I'm in two minds about it. Mainly because I am constantly so tired and never seem to have enough time to get everything done as it is.

Mum seems to think that it would be good for me to do it, as it would help get my brain in gear and working again.

Its is running for the last time in November 2011 though, so if I am going to do it I need to make my mind up.

TIA

I am currently doing it at the moment (it started on the 6th November) - tbh I am struggling with it a little because its so hard to find the time. Its a very interesting course so far though and I am enjoying it.

Its a 15 credit course, and the OU suggests time wise its 10 hours for every credit, so 150 is hat you need, which seems about right - but its a 4 month course and finding that time might be difficult. I am doing about three hours a week at the moment, ut the first assessment is due next week so will do alot more next week.

Plus, most of the people doing it with me are parents of children with ASD, there are some professionals, but I would say its a 75% / 25% split.

Hi, I did this course last year. Loved it, found it very informative especially the part which concentrated on how to help ASD children in the school setting. The TMA's (online tests you do) were a bit tricky as some of them were very scientific as the books cover the implications in the brain with ASD. Really enjoyed it though, I think on average i was studying a 1/2 hours daily but you have to work harder for the TMA's. I actually leant the study books to a mother whose son has just been statemented for ASD and she found them very helpful.

Im including this course as part of an Open degree. I want to get back into education. I was a teaching assistant before leaving because of my sons many problems. I chose the course because there are so many people with a lack of knowledge with ASD children and yet they are working with them! Im confident that this course would definitely boost my chances when i start job hunting again.

Good Luck.xx

Thanks for replying.

Have you done any other study recently and if not, how hard is it to put together the assignments do you think?

I haven't studied since 1998 and I thoroughly enjoyed that, but it wasn't such a formal-type qualification, although there was a lot of written work involved. That was pre dcs though and I used to stay up all night researching and putting together assignments. Not sure I could manage that these days.

Are they strict about assignment format and presentation etc?

Sorry, so many questions.

Cross posted brandy77. Thanks for your reply.

That's interesting 1-2 hours daily, hmmm.

I do think I would find it interesting, but am slightly concerned that my life already seems to revolve around ds1's ASD and I can't help wondering if I shouldn't be doing something else as a break. That said, I would really like to understand more about ASD and particularly the support (or lack of it) of children with ASD in the education system. So it sounds like it would be invaluable from that point of view.

I hadnt studied since 1999 (another OU course), have to say since the autism one, i went onto counselling which was only level 1 but it was very very very hard! the amount of reading was huge! and the essays were horrendous!

the autism course books are a lovely lay out, lots of pictures and diagrams on every page, lots of questions to check your brain has remembered,lol. End of chapter little tests that can you do if you want too ( i didnt,lol). The TMA's were drop and drag questions on the computer, multiple choice and some short 50 word answer questions. Im sure i didnt have a larger essay to do, done so much since then ive forgotton,lol. Im just waiting for the results of the Diabetes care i completed after the Counselling course. Now im onto mental health, level 2, much harder but again thoroughly interesting and i know this course would also help get me back into education.

You could probably get away with studying less a day but i have to plan ahead and work ahead as I cant do any on the weekends because of my son and i cant study in the school holidays either, so i studied more in the run up to holidays.

Id take your parents offer up, thats really nice and thoughtful of them. You could always start and give it a go and if you cant cope then you can stop and try again another year. xx

just checked and there were wasnt an essay at the end of the course to complete, it was all multiple choice and short answer questions. Although they can be tricky,lol

I have just started this course, finding it okay so far. My working background is childcare but because ds can't settle in childcare (ASD) I'm not working at the mo.

Thought this would keep my mind ticking over and look good on cv if I ever get back into the world of work.

It's my first OU course and when I got my pack I found it a bit overwhelming but now I think I am getting into the swing of it. There is a study calendar with all dates on of wha chapters to read when and when assignmnets are due in, etc. I've stuck this on my kitchen cupboard door to remind me . I'd say go for it.

Bum! wrote big long reply and then lost it!

I too am thinking about doing the course, so all feedback useful, (I am also OU tutor on the SW degree, so feedback interesting for other reasons too.)

I am ex OU stdent too, and I always found the materials clear and straight forward... also tutors can give guidance about format for assignments etc..

Just a general thought, but if you are planning to use a course as part of a degree if you register for the degree and have certain financial situtations I think (and it is just a thought) that there may be some financial support for fees etc..... If you talk to the advice workers at your local regional centre they should be able to give info...

Hope that helps, good luck!

I've been considering doing this course, I just haven't had time yet. Thanks for the heads up that it will stop running after next year, that will encourage me to look into it properly.

There are some study units on the OU's free OpenLearn website - I think they take a selection of material from their formal courses so you could look at this unit (The autistic spectrum: from theory to practice) to give you a taster of the OU's approach.

The OU offer a reasonable level of funding for their courses, if it's leading to a degree and if you don't already have one, depending on household income. It's worth looking at the funding section on their website to see if you can get funding for it.

Oh, this is an interesting thread. I'm doing OU at the moment (just finished ed209 and awaiting the result, and about to do EK310 in February) and achingly want to do this course, but fitting it in with the other stuff would be a struggle. I do intend to fit it in somewhere, though, at some point. I'm now half way through BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies, and from there I want to do a PGCE.

I don't think you can get funding for it, though, unfortunately, because it's viewed as a short course - below 30 points aren't funded anymore.

I had mine funded last year, also had the diabetes care and counselling funded, they were under 30 points, perhaps its changed now then choclatespread...cutbacks everywhere :0(

I know that the level 2 course i registered for that im doing now, i had to fill out loads of forms for funding as it was a level 2 and i panicked and thought i wouldnt be able to do it but fortunately i did get the funding for it :0)

They are pretty quick with assessing funding

I'm sure I got funding for mine (At least I hope I did and a bill isn't heading my way!), always worth applying for funding, you never know.

Which course are you doing brandy? Love to meet other OUers .

Yes, Riley, I think it's a recent development. I might be wrong, but in the current climate it's no surprise, really.

Gosh, just got home. Such a lot of replies. Thank you everyone.

Bdaonion, it was my Mum who told me its not running again after 2011. Thanks for putting me straight on that. I wWnder if she was just trying to chivvy me into doing it sooner rather than later.

I think I looked at funding earlier in the year when I started looking into dietetics and we weren't eligible for any help. Will definitely have another look though. We are by not means flush, so funding would be a great help.

Do you have to state you are working towards a degree to get funding and if so, what happens if you never manage to complete enough modules? Do you have to pay the funding back?

To be honest, funding isn't really the issue at the moment. I think I'm more worried about the workload and whether or not I'm actually up to studying these days. Feels like eons since I read a text book, although I have read Tony Attwood and a couple of others relatively recently.

Sorry, forgot (see foggy brain again ) to say Sugarcandymistletoe, thanks for that link. As you say, it may well be worth me doing that unit first to help me get acclimatised to the OU way of working.

Yeah, there's loads on open learn, It's a really good resource...

Perhaps we should have an OUer's group? (can I still join as an OU employee?? please please!)

Anyone up for that?

Hi chocolate spread, my auntie is an OU'er and has got Childhood and Youth Studies, think ive got that right, shes done sooo many courses.

Im now on SDK228, The Science of the Mind, Investigating Mental Health. Very interesting and a lot ties in with autism, adhd etc, so will look good on my cv when i can start job hunting again.

signandsay - all for an OUers group! I'm doing the same as your auntie, brandy. Which degree are you doing? Does sound very interesting.

Ah well chocolate it's 'thee and me' then!
anyone else want to join do pm me

chocolate spread im studying for an open degree so i can choose which modules, so im mainly going with ones that will help in education or welfare work or something similar.x