Diploma Qualification in Psychology | Multiple Options 

• Study psychology online | Study 2 core modules + 13 elective modules | Focus on particular areas, such as Child Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Biological Psychology, Counselling, Business Psychology etc | You decide!  
• Study in your own home | Self-paced course | No deadlines.
• Support and feedback from our highly experienced and qualified tutors | Assessment includes assignments, self-assessment tasks, written and practical exercises.
• Specialise to suit your career needs and personal interests.

Modules

Note that each module in the Qualification - Associate Diploma In Psychology is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.

The following abnormalities in development may be observed in autism. Impairments must be observed in at least one key area before the age of three if autism is to be diagnosed. Abnormalities of social development are most specific to autism.

Impaired Social Development & Interactions 

Impairments in social development and interactions are marked and sustained. They have impairments in understanding non-verbal communication, such as facial expressions, gestures, eye contact or body language. The lack of understanding of these social cues means they often won’t respond appropriately to other people (for example talking continuously about one topic and not picking up that someone is bored, not recognising that someone is upset, not responding to smiles and shows of affection).

Children with autism have great difficulties with feeling and expressing emotions in relationships and are often seen as being cold by others. They do not respond to affection such as smiles, kissing or cuddling and often object to being shown affection. They also show little, if any, difference in responses to their parents as they do to total strangers and are often disinterested in other children and making friendships. They may avoid eye contact and behave similarly to inanimate objects as they do to people. 

Older children may wish to establish friendships with peers but fail to understand social conventions. There is also a lack of sharing of interests, experiences and enjoyment with others. 

Children might also prefer to engage in solitary activities or only include other children as tools for their games and activities rather than becoming involved in reciprocal social activities. They may not have any understanding of the needs of others, including siblings, or even notice their presence or when they are upset.  

Abnormal Communication

Again, abnormalities in communication are marked and sustained. Both verbal and non-verbal skills are affected. Speech may be delayed or sometimes not develop at all. In around 20% of cases speech appears to develop quite normally until around the age of two years before partially or completely disappearing. Those who do speak may exhibit difficulties in making conversation or maintaining conversation with others. They may use stereotyped language or idiosyncratic language. Whilst around half of autistic children develop some meaningful speech skills, impairments often persist and include using repetitive words and monologues and misuse of words. They may find it hard to initiate or carry on a conversation, and may take longer than usual to speak. 

Children may also fail to engage in spontaneous play and non-verbal communication is affected. They often do not engage in make-believe and show little creativity and imagination. 

Some people believe that rather than having poor communication skills, people with autism have different communication skills. It may help if people without autism who are dealing with an autistic child learn to communicate with the child using communication skills that the child understands. 

For children with autism, not being able to communicate with others can be a source of anger and frustration, and may lead to problems such as being excluded, social isolation, and bullying. 
Speech and Language therapies may help improve communication skills.

Repetitive Behaviour

Children with autism also show limited interests and stereotyped patterns of behaviour. They like things to be the same and can get very upset if there are even slight changes in their environment. Obsessive interests may seem abnormal through their intensity or focus, and they may engage in inflexible routines or rituals, or rituals which serve no function. Sometimes they may be obsessed with parts of objects or may engage in repetitive mannerisms such as clicking their fingers or rocking back and forth. 

They may want to eat the same food, wear the same clothes and play the same games over and over. They may become obsessed with very narrow interests e.g. telephone numbers, or trains. Some are preoccupied with movements such as spinning wheels.   

Some of these repetitive behaviours are a coping strategy that autistic people use to deal with stress and anxiety. People with autism are also often hypersensitive to certain sounds or sensory inputs. They may also be used to either increase or decrease sensory input and environmental stimulation, for example rocking may help stimulate the vestibular system, and hand flapping may stimulate the visual system; focusing on a particular action or sound may help reduce the stimulation of an overwhelming environment.

What's Different About this Diploma?

• Options to choose electives that you don't find in similar diplomas elsewhere.
• A longer, more in depth diploma than what is offered at many other colleges (Compare the duration -1500 hours). Study more, learn more, go further in your career or business.
• A stronger focus on learning (some colleges focus more on assessment than we do -but we believe that what you learn is what makes the difference)

Study this Psychology Diploma course to -