Autistic Health: Improving Access to Healthcare

Learn more about the physical and mental health of autistic people

On this four-week course, you’ll learn about the many co-existing conditions that are common in autistic people. You’ll explore how these interact with autistic differences and what impact they have on physical and mental wellbeing.

You’ll also examine the interconnection between autistic experiences and mental health, and learn how masking and trauma affect access to healthcare.

Understand the role of intersectionality in autistic wellbeing

As you delve into different areas of intersectionality, you’ll learn more about the multi-faceted discrimination often experienced by autistic people.

You’ll also develop your knowledge of the many barriers autistic people face when trying to access healthcare. You’ll hear about the importance of taking a more holistic view of autistic wellbeing, which goes beyond physical and mental health to consider all aspects of a person’s life.

Equipped with this knowledge, you’ll reflect on potential ways of improving access to healthcare and quality of life for autistic people.

Learn from experts at the University of Kent

Over the four weeks, your learning will be guided by autistic and non-autistic academics at the University of Kent, who’ll share their expertise on the experience of autistic people in the healthcare system.

By the end of the course, you’ll have gained an understanding of the barriers autistic people face in accessing healthcare, and the skills you need to help improve their quality of life.

This course is designed for anyone interested in improving access to healthcare for autistic people.

It will be particularly valuable for autistic people, their family members, or professionals working in health or social care.

• Physical health
• Introduction to physical health issues
• Case studies in autism and physical health
• Support for physical health
• Mental health
• Autistic mental health
• Mental health and intersectionality case studies
• Intersectionality
• Barriers to healthcare
• What barriers do autistic people face?
• Exploring barriers to healthcare
• Responding to healthcare barriers
• Well-being and quality of life
• The quality of life of autistic people
• Assessing autistic quality of life
• Autistic joy