Introduction to Neurodiversity (eve)

Currently, there is a significant gap in knowledge and understanding about neurodiversity across the lifespan. Neurodiversity includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia, developmental coordination disorder, dyscalculia. The neurodiversity movement challenges the medical module of disabilities, and is instead, underpinned by the social model of disability. This perspective proposes that neurological differences should be recognised and respected like any other human variation, is supported by user groups, and is enshrined in health, social policy and human rights legislation in many parts of the world. Many professions lack the understanding and ability to apply neurodiverse supporting approaches to everyday practice. This lack of understanding is not just in healthcare but across all aspects of an individual’s life: childhood, adulthood, older adulthood, education, criminal justice, social care, healthcare, and employment.

The Introduction to Neurodiversity module will equip professionals from a range of professional backgrounds, with the skills to develop a critical awareness and understanding of neurodiversity across the lifespan, including associated complexities and co-morbiditities. This will include an overview of the neurodiversity paradigm, strengths-based approaches, an awareness and understanding of diagnostic techniques and the importance of trauma informed care.

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the fundamental theories, concepts, and principles of both traditional and neuro-affirming practice approaches. Ensure that all approaches are critically evaluated from a user-centred perspective.
• Students will gain a critical awareness of the importance of trauma-informed practice when working alongside neurodivergent individuals.
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of effective communication strategies and their importance when working alongside neurodivergent individuals that includes wider micro considerations such as environmental considerations and communication modifications.
• Critically analyse existing ways of supporting neurodivergent individuals and demonstrate a critical awareness of the need for co-design, co-production and co-delivery to underpin both research and practice development.

This is an SCQF Level 11 module and upon successful completion, participants will be awarded 20 credits.

 

Delivery 

Planned timetable as follows (subject to change):

• Tuesday 28th January 2025, 6pm – 9pm: Introduction to Neurodiversity and Neuro-Affirming Practice (Paisley campus)
• Tuesday 4th February 2025, 6pm – 9pm: Strengths-based Approaches (Paisley campus)
• Tuesday 11th February 2025, 6pm – 9pm: Autism (Paisley campus)
• Tuesday 18th February 2025, 6pm – 9pm: ADHD (Paisley campus)
• Tuesday 25th February 2025, 6pm – 9pm: Other Neurodevelopmental Conditions (Paisley campus)
• Tuesday 4th March 2025, 6pm – 9pm: Consolidation and reading week; drop-in session online for support (Online Teams session)
• Tuesday 11th March 2025, 6pm – 9pm: The Importance of Effective Communication Strategies (Paisley campus)
• Tuesday 18th March 2025, 6pm – 9pm: Neurodiversity and Mental Health (Paisley campus)
• Tuesday 25th March 2025, 6pm – 9pm: Trauma informed practice (Paisley campus)
• Tuesday 1st April 2025, 6pm – 9pm: Co-design, co-production and co-delivery in service development (Paisley campus)
• Tuesday 8th April 2025, 6pm – 9pm: Supporting Neurodivergent individuals in education and employment (Paisley campus)
• Tuesday 15th April 2025, 6pm – 9pm: Consolidation week and summative assessment (Online Teams session)

Note: Paisley campus location: Room D145

 

Course presenters

This module will be delivered by Kath Limond and Lauren Gillies-Walker.

 

Funding

This course may be available on a fully funded basis to some delegates via our Skills Scholarships.

We are delighted to announce that we currently have an exclusive offer available to UWS alumni!

To celebrate the launch of a selection of Postgraduate modules being delivered in the evening on our Paisley campus starting in January 2025, UWS alumni can benefit from a 20% discount off the standard module fee of £1,070 thus, reducing the payable fee to £856.

Further details, including regarding eligibility, are available under Funding Support.

If you have any questions, please contact us at cpd@uws.ac.uk  

 

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.  If you do not meet this criteria, please enquire here.