A young female nurse is seen chatting with a colleague in the break room)

Understanding Autism and Intellectual Disability for Health and Social Care Staff


Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery

Summary

This programme aims to equip health and social care staff with the skills necessary to provide safe, compassionate, informed, and person-centred effective care to autistic people and people who have intellectual disabilities. These health and social care staff, included but is not limited to medical, nursing, allied healthcare professionals, psychologists, social workers, healthcare assistants, and home care workers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapy, dietitians, dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, physiotherapists, and psychical therapists.

This CPD course will enhance the learners' ability to deliver person-centred care while promoting understanding, inclusivity, and dignity. With input from patient and public involvement (PPI) contributors, who have personal healthcare experience and expert professionals in the field of disability, such as AsIAm, early career professionals, health and social care professionals, and people who have intellectual disabilities and autistic people. This programme aims to equip staff with the core skills to ensure they meet the diverse needs of the people within these communities.   

In this programme learners will participate in 13 weeks of live online lectures and engage with directed resources. Prior to the weekly two-hour live online lecture, learners will receive access to materials including a short pre-recorded introduction video(s) of experts, recommended reading materials and pre-recorded short lectures from additional experts. The programme will run every Tuesday evening from 7-9pm beginning on 16 September and finishing on 9 December 2025.

Programme lead: Professor Mary Rose Sweeney

Learning outcomes

At the end of this programme learners will have:

  • Increased understanding of language, terminologies, and approaches used in supporting autistic people and people who have intellectual disabilities, with consideration of cultural norms in Ireland and internationally.
  • A comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of autism and intellectual disabilities, including prevalence rates, presentations, common characteristics and associated comorbidities.
  • An enhanced understanding of the communication and behavioural support needs of autistic people and people who have an intellectual disability.
  • Knowledge and skills to provide person-centred support for autistic people and people who have intellectual disabilities in their own clinical setting using reasonable adjustments and a rights-based approach.
  • Familiarity with international best practice guidelines and policy and legislation for providing disability and neuro affirmative person-centred care.