LONDON, March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- An undergraduate course organised by The National Autistic Society (http://www.autism.org.uk/) in partnership with the University of Cumbria (http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/home.aspx). The course is aimed at professionals and practitioners from health, education and social care and is also relevant to parents.

Course summary

This six day course, attending one day a week, is very much practice based and will focus on an area relating to the autism spectrum. It will explore ways of working with individuals with autism and Asperger syndrome, in a range of settings.

Credits awarded

20 credits at level 4, 5, 6 & 7 awarded by the University of Cumbria

Location

Brookdale Care (http://www.brookdalecare.co.uk/), Wyboston, Bedfordshire

Course dates

4th, 11th, 18th, 25th May, 1st and 8th June 2011

Day 1 An introduction to the autism spectrum

Day 2 Social communication and social interaction: ways of supporting

Day 3 Sensory differences in people with autism

Day 4 Difficulties with imagination and flexible thinking

Day 5 Interventions and organisational aspects of working with autism

Day 6 A individual's perspective and a parent's perspective

Course fees: GBP250 levels 4, 5, 6 (20 credits) and GBP389 level 7 (20 credits)

Assessment: All students are expected to submit an assignment at the end of the course

Closing dates: 18 March 2011

For further information and an application form contact: the University of Cumbria on: +44(0)1524-384360 or email: professionaladmissions@cumbria.ac.uk

Training and Consultancy 6th Floor Castle Heights, 72 Maid Marian Way Nottingham NG1 6BJ Email: training@nas.org.uk http://www.autism.org.uk/training Registered as a charity no. 269425

Notes for Editors:

- Established in 1995, Brookdale is a family-run company specialising exclusively in the delivery of dedicated hospital, residential and supported living care solutions for people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). - Brookdale Care provides specialist care services at our purpose built hospital at Milton Park in Wyboston, Bedfordshire - the first of its kind in the UK - and a range of residential homes in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and North London. - Brookdale Care's philosophy is to deliver the safe, comfortable living environments and structured routines needed by people living with ASC and to provide individually tailored support and encouragement to help each service user maximise their potential. - Brookdale's Milton Park Independent Hospital and nine residential homes enable us to provide a complete range of services across the autistic spectrum, from those diagnosed with Autism and Learning Disabilities to those with High Functioning Autism or Asperger syndrome. - Brookdale offers the following range of services: - Specialist staff trained in ASC and challenging behaviours - Comprehensive and ongoing assessments and care plans - Specialist support from a multi-disciplinary team of clinicians and therapists - Structured education, employment and leisure activities - Bespoke educational courses at local colleges - Independent living skills - Community integration and involvement

- For further information please visit our website at http://www.brookdalecare.co.uk