Autism and ADHD in Higher Education: Recognising and addressing the barriers through Non-Medical Helper (NMH) Mentoring and Study Skills Support
Gain a comprehensive understanding of how to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for autistic and ADHD students in higher education. Come away with a broad knowledge-base and evidence-based practical toolkit to work confidently with autistic and ADHD learners in all areas of higher education.
Book Now Download course brochureOverview
Our ‘Autism and ADHD in Higher Education’ course was designed to address limited current best practice guidance for providing holistic support to autistic and ADHD learners in higher education. Autistic and ADHD learners are amongst the most vulnerable in terms of mental wellbeing concerns. Whilst studies suggest that autistic learners can be high achievers in terms of educational outcomes and academic confidence, a myriad of factors including social anxiety, sociocommunication difficulties, self-care and self-advocacy challenges, and sensory differences can make the university environment hard to access and succeed within.
Through this course, you will gain the necessary skills and NMH mandatory qualification requirements for NMH roles – Specialist One to One Study Skills support (SS-ASC) and Specialist Mentor (SM-ASC) to become a qualified autism and ADHD NMH Support Worker.
Upon completion of the course, you’ll be equipped to provide holistic support to autistic and ADHD learners and you will have the opportunity to apply for a position with our organization to start your new career immediately.
Click on the link below to compare your qualifications with the matrix and determine if this is the right course for you.
New 04/23 DSA NMH mandatory Qualifications Matrix link. Please click here to open.
Programme content
This course consists of five units:
- An introduction to autism and ADHD
- Addressing the barriers through NMH Support
- Mental health and wellbeing in autistic and ADHD students in higher education
- Autism and ADHD and social aspects of higher education
- Autism and ADHD and academic aspects of higher education
Each unit utilises a range of engaging materials such as videos, short lectures, articles, interactive scenario-based learning, and assessment. Because of the on-demand nature, you can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace.
In addition, there is a 1.5 hour live workshop where learning is reinforced and applied to a range of interactive scenarios.
Download course brochureLearning objectives
- To evidence comprehensive understanding of autism and ADHD, current diagnostic criteria, and the key strengths and challenges of both in the higher education context
- To demonstrate awareness of the social and biopsychosocial models of disability and the neurodiversity paradigm
- To gain in-depth understanding of the various factors that impact on autistic and ADHD students in terms of mental health and wellbeing, social aspects, and academic aspects in the higher education context
- To develop a range of strategies to support autistic and ADHD learners in higher education in relation to mental health and wellbeing, social aspects, and academic aspects
- To understand the requirements and boundaries of ASC Mentoring and Study Skills and Strategy Support roles
Academic advisors
The course combines diverse expert perspectives from autism and ADHD research, both from the UK and internationally. In addition, interview, and video content from current UG and PG autistic and ADHD students in education helps provide insight into the barriers that students find in higher education, strategies used to ameliorate these, and crucially, how mentors and tutors can work alongside students to identify difficulties and best facilitate support.