Complete Care Training
Learning Disability and Autism Awareness
Learning Disability, Autism & NeurodiversityLevel 1

Learning Disability and Autism Awareness

Around 1.3 million people in England have a learning disability, and there may be more than a million autistic people; whatever your setting, you will support some of them. This course gives you the baseline every care worker needs. You will be able to say what a learning disability is, what autism is, and why the two are not the same thing. You will know why people with either die younger than they should, from causes good care can prevent, and what reasonable adjustments the law expects services to make. Most of all, you will recognise communication that starts with the person rather than the diagnosis. Aligned to Care Certificate Standard 16; a foundation for, not a replacement of, the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training.

1 hour 10 minutes
Created by Sophie Barber Updated 10/2026 English
Part of Mandatory Training · Course 14 of 15
  • 100% online, any time
  • On any device
  • Accredited certificate on completion
  • Learn by doing
  • Storytelling built around your routine
  • Audio and alt text throughout
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What you'll learn

Describe what is meant by a learning disability and by autism.
Identify common health inequalities faced by autistic people and people with a learning disability.
State examples of reasonable adjustments that support inclusive care.
Recognise person-centred communication approaches for autistic people and people with a learning disability.

Course content

5 modules

What a learning disability is, what autism is, how they differ and overlap, and why two people with the same diagnosis can need completely different support.
The health inequalities behind the near 20-year life-expectancy gap: avoidable deaths, diagnostic overshadowing, and how annual health checks help close it.
The Equality Act 2010 duty to make reasonable adjustments, with examples you can use on shift: easy-read information, flexible appointments, quiet spaces and health passports.
Person-centred communication approaches: clear language, processing time, total communication, Makaton and PECS, reading behaviour as communication, and presuming capacity.
The graded assessment: ten questions drawn from a 30-question bank covering the whole course. Pass it to complete your certificate.

Specialist

Sophie Barber

A qualified teacher, examiner and content creator, Sophie has over 10 years experience developing resources for examination boards to ensure that they are using effective learning tools. An ex-medic, Sophie has a huge passion for the healthcare profession and the importance of delivering quality care.

Training you can trust

How this course works. You will work through self-paced modules, check your understanding with knowledge checks, and finish with a short assessment. On passing, your CPD-certified certificate is available to download immediately, ready for your CQC evidence file or employer records.

Recommended renewal: every year. Your certificate is valid for 12 months. Skills for Care's minimum for most topics is every 3 years. Refresher periods by topic

Accredited by CPD

All of our courses are accredited by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to universally accepted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

Frequently asked questions

There is no deadline: a one-off purchase gives you lifetime access to the course, including updates, so you can complete it at your own pace across shifts.
Yes. Every course is accredited by the CPD Certification Service, and the certificate states the course, the level and the date you passed.
Yes. It works on phone, tablet and computer, and your progress syncs between them.
Your certificate is generated the moment you pass the final assessment, ready to download or print.