Course Description

Diploma in Additional Needs





This free online course explores the treatment and management of additional needs children with developmental disorders. Ready to transform your approach to supporting neurodiverse children? This free online course provides updated knowledge and practical skills around Autism and ADHD. We’ll explore core characteristics, common experiences, and evidence-based strategies. Master proven techniques for communication and behaviour support, creating inclusive and supportive environments where children can thrive. Enrol now and become a champion for inclusive learning!

The Diploma in Additional Needs course at Alison is listed in Courses.ie's national courses finder.
Training ProviderAlison
Course TypeOnline Learning
Course QualificationCPD Diploma
Course Duration6-10 hours
Course FeeFree
Entry RequirementsLike all courses on the Alison Free Learning platform this is a free, CPD-accredited course. A Graduate can choose to buy a certificate or diploma upon successful completion of a course, but this is not required or necessary.

At Alison we believe that free education, more than anything, has the power to break through boundaries and transform lives.

Alison is the world’s largest free online empowerment platform for education and skills training, offering over 5000 CPD accredited courses and a range of impactful career development tools. It is a for-profit social enterprise dedicated to making it possible for anyone, to study anything, anywhere, at any time, for free online, at any subject level. Through our mission, we are a catalyst for positive social change, creating opportunity, prosperity, and equality for everyone.
Career PathWhat You Will Learn In This Free Course
• Describe ASD and ADHD characteristics, including the historical "triad of impairments" model
• Explain key neurodevelopmental approaches (DIR®/Floortime, SCERTS, RDI, TEACCH) and their core principles
• Explain sensory principles, including interoceptive awareness, and apply strategies like sensory diets for regulation
• Apply AAC and various visual supports, including Social Stories, to support communication
• Distinguish meltdowns from tantrums, identifying triggers, signs, and appropriate management strategies
• Outline considerations for implementing functional life skills programmes, including self-feeding and toilet training
• Discuss inclusive education systems and their implications for supporting diverse learners
• Describe how to foster meaningful therapeutic relationships and promote child-led engagement and autonomy
• Outline the components and purpose of a Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) in understanding behaviour
• Explain how family-centred practice and cultural responsiveness can help build collaborative intervention partnerships
• Recall strategies for promoting peer support and positive social interactions for autistic children
• Discuss ethical considerations in developmental autism therapy ie presuming competence and professional boundaries
Course Code7583
For more information about Alison, please visit our College page on Courses.ie by clicking here.

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