This document provides an overview of an autism awareness training course for care workers. The course aims to help care workers better understand autism by covering topics like child development, characteristics of autism, social interaction, sensory difficulties, and the clinical definition of autism from the DSM-IV. Autism is defined as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication skills as well as restricted repetitive behaviors.

1. Autism Awareness

2. Introduction
 This care training course is aimed at care workers who are
involved with clients who have Autism.
 Candidates will gain a better understanding of what
Autism is and the effect it has on an individual.
 The course can follow two different pathways: Child
development and Autism Awareness or Adult Mental
Health and Autism.

3. Aims andobjectives
 Introduction to autism in children
 Child development
 Characteristics of autism
 Social interaction
 Signs and Symptoms
 Sensory Difficulties

4. Meaning
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by
impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal
communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviour.
Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their
child's life.
The signs typically develop gradually, but some children
with autism will reach their developmental milestone at a
normal pace and then regress.

5. Definition
The definition of Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
is provided by the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of
Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Children with autism are less able
to interact with the world as other children do. Typically
they have deficits in three key areas:
 Verbal and non-verbal Communication
 Social awareness and interactions
 Imaginative play (variable interests and behaviours).