A competency framework for people working with children and young people from 5-16 on the autism spectrum.

A professional competency framework has been developed by the Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER) at the University of Birmingham in collaboration with consultants with expertise in autism. Team members: Dr Kerstin Wittemeyer, Annette English, Dr Glenys Jones, Linda Lyn-Cook, Damian Milton. The framework sets out the knowledge and skills that are required for professionals in educational settings working with pupils on the autism spectrum.

The framework is presented as a self-evaluation tool that practitioners can use to rate their current practice and understanding against a set of descriptors (knowledge, skills, personal qualities). Feedback should inform practitioners’ professional development plans and content of any future training.

The development of this framework has been carried out in close collaboration with the development of the AET National autism standards as well as the AET Training hubs programme.