Autism through the Lifespan
Autism Through the Lifespan teaches you how to coach people with ASD. You learn what ASD is. How it affects people throughout their lives. And how to work together with them to overcome the challenges they face. Like avoiding certain behaviors. And dealing with social situations.

The program in a nutshell
A specialization exchange program where you gain next-level professional skills and knowledge. In the 1st period on-campus, you have classes and lectures on Monday and Thursday. And 16 hours of work experience per week. In period 2 you study back in your home country, so you can put your new skills to work. We also analyze your progress through a series of online assignments and tests.
To take on this exchange program and the assignments, you need a work-experience placement. You can work with people diagnosed with ASD and of average intelligence. Or with those who also have a mild intellectual disability.

Learning outcomes
At the end of the Autism through the Lifespan exchange program you can:
- Learn how to support people with ASD and their family
- Coach the client and their family from the course-of-life theory
- Offer support and coaching and give information
- Teach skills like orientating, self-care, making contact and cooperation
- Offer support to the client and their family as a coach and trainer
- Learn to contribute in your role as researcher, developer and/or advisor

Competences
You strengthen these competence areas during the program:
- Knowledge of ASD development
- Knowledge how to apply your competencies
- Professional development
- Orientation and analysis discussions with the family
- Methodical coaching capabilities
- Acting as a bridge between client and family

Dutch way of learning
The atmosphere in a Dutch classroom is quite informal and your lecturers are easy to talk to. In fact, at HAN you’re seen as a partner in the learning process. Class sizes are small and your lecturers encourage you to actively participate in class. To ask questions and give your own opinion. They also stimulate you to be creative and to discover things for yourself.
HAN International Intro
Get a good start to your studies during this week of orientation:
- learn about living in the Netherlands
- become familiar with the campus
- get on board with your exchange program
- make new friends!

What about credits and grading?
At HAN we use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, or ECTS. It’s the standard credit system used in higher education across Europe. How does it work? One credit = 28 hours of study. Think of contact hours. Time spent working on assignments. Preparing for exams.
One semester = 30 credits = 840 hours of study. To earn credits, you need to pass your exams. What counts as a pass? A grade of at least 5.5.
Admission
What are the admission requirements? And how do I apply?
