The Psychological Therapies for Children and Young People with an Autism and/or Learning Disability curriculum has been developed as part of the Child and Young People Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (CYP- IAPT). Both parents and clinicians agree that CYP with Autism and/or Learning Disability often do not receive the psychological help they deserve because those trained in delivering evidence-based therapies feel inadequately trained in adaptations of these to CYP with Autism and/or Learning Disability diagnoses and those with significant experience of working with these groups are insufficiently trained in evidence-based methods of therapy. This curriculum complements existing CYP–IAPT curricula in specialist psychological therapies and focuses on ensuring that clinicians and practitioners are familiar with the best evidenced practice for the treatment of children or young people with Autism and/or learning disabilities.
The Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma comprises of three modules covering the Core CYP–IAPT competencies alongside knowledge of Autism, neurodiversity and intellectual disability, and intervention.
Frequently asked questions
WOULD I BE SUITABLE?
The Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma is a funded role as part of HEEs recruit to train practitioner funding and is open to staff with and without graduate level qualifications. It is intended for practitioners working specifically in the field of Autism and/or learning disabilities, as well as those in the broader CAMHS community who work with CYP with Learning Disability/Autism. All applicants will need to demonstrate a basic level of clinical competence and experience of having worked with children and families within a mental health setting for two years.
Entry Requirements
Students on the programme must meet the following entry requirements:
- A Level 5 or 6 qualification. In some circumstances you may be eligible if you have a Level 4 qualification, in this case you would need to show substantial relevant work experience.
- No core profession is required, although it is desirable and would be beneficial for applicants to have experience of mental health interventions, and/or training in a mental-health related profession (e.g. psychology, nursing, social-work, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, special needs teaching, psychotherapy, counselling).
- Two years’ experience of working within a professional setting concerned with the mental health of children and young people and/or families.
- A basic level of clinical competence and experience of having worked with children and young people with ASD and/or LD for at least one year is required.
- Some experience of working with parents/families is desirable.
- Trainees must be self-motivated, independent learners, able to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level and learn via supervised clinical practice.
How does the training work?
The Psychological Therapies for Children and Young People with an Autism and/or Learning Disability curriculum has been developed as part of the CYP-IAPT programme.
The course starts in January and is completed over 1 year. Following the first few weeks of the course, when teaching takes place over 4-5 days a week, trainees will complete 2 days of teaching per week (teaching usually takes place on a Wednesday and a Thursday), covering a series of lecture-based teaching sessions and skills-based workshops across three modules.
Lectures are primarily delivered online, with some face-to-face teaching at Exeter University occurring each term. Face to Face teaching usually occurs on 3-4 occasions in term 1 (usually 2-3 weeks at the start of the term and on another occasion later in the term), 1-2 times in term 2 and twice in term 3.
Teaching is supplemented by reflective group sessions and 1:1 tutorials.
The remaining time in role will be spent working clinically within your service.
What topics will I be studying?
The course focuses on 2 forms of intervention:
- Adapted mental health interventions
- Support for parents/carers to manage behaviour that challenges
There are four modules in this training:
Module 1: The CYP IAPT Core module
This module covers core academic knowledge and clinical skills together with a reflective approach to practice when working alongside children, young people and their families. This module delivers the core knowledge and skills you will need in order to practice effectively as an evidence-based psychological practitioner. Session-by-session measurement and routine outcome monitoring are a fundamental component of this module and of effective practice. The module will also cover the core areas of the CYP IAPT national transformation programme.
Module 2: Core Knowledge and Frameworks
This module aims to ensure that all participants have an equivalent basic knowledge about the core features of Autism, Learning Disability and associated conditions. The module covers relevant legislation; medical and social models of disability, neuro-affirmative practice and reasonable adjustments in employment and education; common occurring condition.
Trainees will learn about modifications that may be needed in assessment and will cover how comorbid disorders present in terms of mental health and neurodevelopmental concerns.
Module 3: ASD/LD Assessments
Module 3 will cover how comorbid disorders present in terms of mental health and neurodevelopmental concerns, as well as the ways in which environmental, family and physical factors may precipitate or perpetuate difficulties.
The aims of module 3 are to enhance the quality of diagnosis and evaluation of children who present to CAMHS with autism and/or learning disability, either for the first time to generic CAMHS or to specialist services at Tiers 3 and 4.
Observational assessment and history taking are covered. The ways in which environmental, family, and physical factors may precipitate or perpetuate difficulties will be explored. The module also considers mental health examination and how issues of risk may present.
Module 4: ASD/LD Interventions
Trainees are expected to have core therapy skills to draw upon throughout the course.
The course interventions covered will include adaptions to support working (primarily from a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), or Third Wave CBT, framework) and support for parents/carers to manage behaviour that challenges.
The course will also offer an introduction to other interventions including post-diagnostic support models, adapting interventions for co-occurring mental health conditions (including anxiety and depression), environmental management, social skills, sleep difficulties, independence and transition, and speech and language difficulties.
Speakers throughout the course come from a wide variety of professions, including Speech and Language Therapy, Psychiatry, Occupational Therapy, as well as Experts by Experience.
What clinical work would I complete?
The intervention aspect of the programme can be conceptualised into interventions in two key areas: Child Focussed Clinical Skills (CFS) and Parent/System Approaches (PSA), together this makes up the Adapted Therapeutic Skills (ATS) approach.
Child Focused Skills will cover working with cases of mild/moderate anxiety difficulties and/or depression. With the Parent/System Approaches, trainees will cover work with cases where the intervention is undertaken with the system around the child (parent, carers, school). These cases will include individuals with behaviour that challenges.
Trainees are required to gain at least 80 hours of closely supervised clinical practice.
How is the course assessed?
The course includes a range of assessments including Padlet exercises, essays, video recordings of assessments and interventions, case reports and case presentations. There is a final clinical portfolio.
How do I apply?
You will need to be working in a participating children’s mental health service which is eligible to put trainees forward for this course.
Where can I find out more?
If you are interested in the course and would like to know more, please email cyp-iapt@exeter.ac.uk.