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'm jealous, brandy . There are some great looking modules I'd love to do but just don't fit in with my degree.

I know what you mean, I am waiting for ds to start school then I'm gonna do one of the OU teaching courses (adults, not kids) will have to check start dates for that, (whether it's the usual Jan/Feb) if it is will hope to get the Autism Course in before that...

well, we can always dream...

Yep, I'm heading for a PGCE,too, but I'll have to do it at a local Uni because I want to do a primary qualification. But my ultimate goal is to work with older children with special needs. That's what I really want to do. Teaching is a 3-4 year plan. But, despite the all-nighters, I really enjoy OUing. HOw crazy is that?

Me too! It's funny I always get to the end of a course and say 'never again!!' and then have a couple of months off and think... oh well...

I am aiming to do the 'postgrad cert in academic practice' which I understand is one of the equivalents for HE teaching. I do think my OU students are brill though. I learn so much from/with them, and I get to give something back to my profession... (I also do lots on sensory impairment/carer's issues, working in partnership so hopefully the next generation of social workers will do better than some of the ones I have come across.... )

One OU course I did that I loved was 'Issues in Deafness' It is no longer running, (as it did it's 10 year life span) but it was sooooo good. What have you enjoyed most?

I think the one im enjoying most is the one im on, mental health, im looking forward to the addiction part of it and the dementia part as im doing voluntary work with an alzheimers group

Just done ED209 (Child Development), and you're not meant to admit this about ED209, but I really enjoyed it. I even enjoyed the exam - when else do I get to sit down for three hours in peace and quiet?

I think my favourite one is likely to be ahead of me, though - EA300 (or 310, I forget), Children's Literature. I just love children's books. DH rolls his eyes whenever a Red House catalogue plops through the door, because I always think of a good reason to buy the kid more books!

Brandy, your mental health module does sound interesting. Do you know which one you'll choose next?

So Signandsay, you're both tutor and student?

Sorry, DS1 desperately wants to type a smile and see it come up, so here goes...

And again...

Yay chocolate ds!

we have similar with phone here, I have calls with professionals that include ds going 'HIYA!!' then (if they are lucky) him signing to them what he has been doing, (no video phone tho ) and then saying 'BYE!!' only then do I get to complete the call in peace,

Yeah am previous student, (did my degree with the OU, but my professional qualification with local Uni; no where near as good an experience! )

(Will be student again, when life with ds settles down, ) but teach for the OU at the moment, and have to say I love it, cos it fits round ds, and dh (also disabled) and brings in enough to keep our heads above water, also means I am not just ds mummy and dh carer.... if you know what I mean,

the Mental Health course sound great, really interesting, and it's so rewarding getting to see what you are learning put into practice.

I love the thought of kids lit one! (It's one of my sad bits that I have not been able to enjoy the books I planned with ds, although he is now looking not ripping up, yippee! and portage are pretty sure he will read to some degree...

Yes, and the OU's all the cosier now, isn't it, with the online forums? The ed209 was a great source of support.