Autism and Open University

Hi Dawn,

we are just looking into the Open University as my son is feeling he can’t return to regular college due to his extreme social anxiety and Selective mutism. And other things. How did you find this? I’m new to it and really confused. Is it through a regular student loan? Or can EHCPs fund this? 
thanks 

(I know its an old post, but just in case this helps anyone else, distance learning was really helpful for me = the conclusion)

I did my degree through the Open University (graduated about 4 years ago) but hadn't been diagnosed yet (was only diagnosed less than a week ago). I found OU the only way I could do University though, having had gone to an 'in person' University and dropped out after 6 months after having major difficulties there. I was awarded DSA (disabled students allowance) through OU (for MH issues) which allowed the support of a mentor, who for me was amazing and basically was there if I got overwhelmed with what I was supposed to be doing and was also brilliant for accountability for checking I was doing the work I had set for myself (instead of going of and doing something I found more interesting at the time). You do have to be quite motivated to get it done, and have a plan in place, but the tutors are quite supportive and made allowances for some extensions occasionally when I had got a little bit behind! Good luck

Hi Tom. Yes, I started with OU last year. I am doing an Open degree and have chosen two computer modules TM111 and 112 plus a finance and an economics module for my first year (over two years). It suits me very well. Forums and tutors are very helpful. I know well in advance when my assignments are due and there is plenty of time to plan them. I can get ahead if I want and fit it around my work. It is hard work but fits really well with my ASD. They give you lots of help to decide whether it is right for you.

Hey Tom. How's it going? I hope you're doing great. Some time has passed. I wish you could keep us updated. As for the Open University, my brother has an OU degree. He got it 4 years ago. Actually, he says it's the best experience of his life. The OU community is one of the best student communities he's ever witnessed. That's what he thinks. As for me, I'm only about to enter university. So, I'm currently facing a difficult choice: I have to choose between Prague's School of Filmmaking [removed by mod] and the OU. Tbh, I love Prague so much, and I've always dreamt of becoming a filmmaker or a scriptwriter. So, I hope I have enough time to decide. Tom, I'm waiting for your reply.

I'm still awaiting assessment, but I LOVE the OU.  I've done two quals with them.  The standard of materials and tuition is high.  The thing I found suited me best was the fact that there was only ever ONE assignment at a time to work on.  That way I could give each 100% of my concentration and go in-depth with the detail.  I didn't have to switch gear to another topic until one unit ended and another began.  It was easy to find a productive study routine and no juggling lots of competing deadlines. 

Good luck and enjoy!

I am currently studying computing with the OU and so far it has been a very good experience. The disability support team have been very helpful and both tutors I have had have been supportive. I am just coming to the end of my second computing module, but will be changing to science in October as that's more where my interests lie. As mentioned by NAS50301, there are module forums where you can discuss things with fellow students and tutors if you want to, and they run face-to-face and online tutorials (I never attended any, but always listened to the recordings for the online ones afterwards). There is lots of help you can ask for. For example, my next module is delivered fully online, but the OU will be providing me with printed versions of the module because I can't manage a lot of screen time. It also has an exam and I will be applying for reasonable adjustments for that (coloured paper, a separate room, extra time, etc). 

I studied previously at a traditional university before I was diagnosed and really struggled there, but I think the OU is ideal for anyone who doesn't want to or can't deal with the social aspects of uni. I would say, go for it :)

I completed an OU online MA, with a further post-grad cert back around 1999. Subject Matter: Open & Distance Education  Previously, I had an HND; but it is often possible to bypass a BA or Bsc course,

Why did I study in this manner? I was living abroad during the entire time I did the course. I have never visited any OU facility, and even watched myself being granted the degree diploma online.The support systems were pretty good, since it was then considered a cutting edge new course using loads of different online delivery systems. No idea how they currently deal with students on the spectrum, but I imagine they have quite a lot of experience in providing support. (It's undoubtedly one of the big reasons for going along the dist ed route, and the OU prides itself on being inclusive)

An MA certainly made it easier to get a work permit abroad, but I had to pay the full tuition fee as an overseas UK student. Apart from the work permit, I really should say that I have had very little benefit from the course. At one point, I got a job on the strength of having a qualification in dist ed provision, but I sadly was never actually able to implement any distance ed within the organization; basically because the academic director was constantly at odds with the business owner. Also, distance ed is a bit too radical for educational establishments in some countries. And I have long lost any interest in distance ed, even though it is now beginning to become quite popular in the country where I live. In fact, I can't even bring myself to try online teaching. I know people who do it, but I really do think I have had enough of the whole education world. I certainly enjoyed a lot of my tertiary education, but can't really say it has been of much benefit to my career and life.

Also, I have no particular desire to go to the PhD level, as it would mean having to live in the UK again. And with no actual practical benefits from the MA, I don't see much point in doing that. I have considered just doing an OU BA or BSC for the hell of it, but I have yet to find a suitable online course I could study here. I have debated doing a psychology course, but again I think I am still correct in saying it would be prohibitively expensive abroad. And I do actually crave a F2F education experience again. so i have just been contenting myself with some of  the free OU mini-courses.

I should also point out that I was only recently diagnosed, so I can't really say very much about the experience of being ASD on an OU course. That said, I undoubtedly did get quite a lot of support, and I was frequently somewhat challenged; as has been the case with most of my education. But I imagine you would fare well on an OU course, and a computing course would usually be very suitable. I would say there are many current OU staff and students who would naturally understand your interest in such a course.

www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas

Also, check out mooc. Eg Coursera, khan academy, Harvard Edx, Mit opencourse, Stanford online modules. Free resources and great to supplement and expand your interests. Harvard even run an entire free degree uploaded online. You may already be aware of these, but just in case, I thought it might help 

Hi Tom

I had a good experience with the OU. (Gov) Disabled Students allowance was generous and essential. It involved a four hour psychology assessment. I was allocated a study support mentor, four hours per week. To help organise workload and structure written work. You should be able to request an assessment easily enough. You may also get specialist equipment like voice to text software, a laptop. 

I felt embarassed and uncomfortable with my extra support, but past efforts without it meant I failed courses. Uni certainly reveals difficulties in communication. Initially, these discoveries hurt, but over time it is liberating to increase understanding of oneself. In the past I was very frustrated with low achievement, and this support took me up 20 marks on essays. 

I only managed as I chose my main passion as a subject. So, I went well overboard on many fascinating academic topics.

Hope it works out for you.

Mich 

I did an Open University degree completed 4 years ago, which took 8 years to complete, whilst working, before being diagnosed. It was really good and worked well for me, but was still very hard work. I did lots of different modules so there was always something new to learn. I am not sure it helped my career or anything, but I do think it progressed my analytical thinking. The course material and tutor support via email, along with communication with other students via email or forums was good. There were also classes to attend and I had to do a 1 week residential, but they weren't too bad. It did cost a lot but fortunately work covered it. I regretted not sticking in at school but I just had to get out so always had this itch to do a degree that needed scratching. I think overall I would recommend it although not sure about what support they offer, or can offer that would make it easier.

I studied with the OU before I received my diagnosis but found on-line learning to be really effective. A lot of the communication with my coursemates was through forums so it took the pressure off building connections on a noisy campus. Plus, I prefered being able to learn at a time and place that suited me.

I was diagnosed with dyslexia at the time and found the study skills mentoring esp useful - you can access this with an autism diagnosis.