Exploring Autism

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This is a fully online, asynchronous program with due dates to keep learners on track. Please see our FAQ at the bottom of the page or contact learners@naz.edu with any questions.

The Exploring Autism non-credit bearing certificate program is a six week sequence of fully online, asynchronous courses focused on understanding and exploring autism from multiple perspectives. There are 6 one-week courses in the program that allow participants to:

• understand autism and neurodiversity from historical and cultural perspectives,
• examine and analyze supports and strategies in different areas, and
• explore the lived experiences of autism for individuals and families.

The purpose of this program is to learn how to better support individuals on the autism spectrum across a variety of spaces. Participants will examine the evolution of autism from historical context to contemporary perceptions and practices in conceptualizing, diagnosing, and supporting individuals on the autism spectrum. Through a case study, participants will analyze different disability models and the benefits and barriers associated with these frameworks. This certificate program will expose participants to current research in autism, while analyzing environments for barriers and supports in communication, social skills, sensory processing, learning, behavior, and mental health. Finally, participants will hear from self-advocates and family members to understand the autistic experience more deeply, and develop a plan of action to advocate for individuals on the autism spectrum in their own lives.