What is Autism
Autism is a lifelong condition affecting many areas of development including how a person:
> Communicates with other people
> Relates to other people
> Relates to the World around them
This is a spectrum condition: while all people with autism share certain areas of difficulty, their condition will affect them in different ways.
Difficulties processing the sensory world can affect a person’s ability to communicate and function independently in social situations. This can have a negative impact on education, recreation, employment and social integration.
Terminology: a range of terms can be used, including:
> Autism spectrum disorder
> Autistic spectrum difference
> Neuro-diversity
SLTs should be integral members of the multi-agency teams providing support to children and adults with autism.
SLTs have a unique role in:
> Identifying the social and communication characteristics
> Contributing to a differential diagnosis of those with autism
> Identifying co-morbidities
> Training others involved in the care and education of those with autism
I am concerned my child may have Autism, what should I do?
East, North and West Devon
> Speak with a member of staff at your child’s nursery / pre-school / school
> Contact the Health Visiting team on:
Exeter – 0333 234 1902
South Devon – 0333 234 1901
North Devon – 0333 234 1904
East Devon – 0333 234 1903
More information can be found on: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/pre-diagnosis/parents-and-carers
Please see our Neurodiversity Pathway page for more information and resources: https://childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk/neurodiversity-pathway/
Anybody (parent, health professional, education staff etc) can complete a ‘Request for Service’ form, if your child is Under 5 check the ‘Under 5 Specialist Assessment, Autism Assessment’ Box. If your child is over 5, check the ‘Specialist Autistic Spectrum’ box
Torbay and South Devon
> Speak with a member of staff at your child’s nursery / pre-school / school
> Contact the Health Visiting team on:
Torbay – 0300 333 5352
More information can be found on: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/pre-diagnosis/parents-and-carers
Please see our Neurodiversity Pathway page for more information and resources: https://childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk/neurodiversity-pathway/
For Torbay and South Devon, referrals must come from either: GPs, Paediatricians, CAMHs practitioners or Speech and Language Therapists.
Early Bird / Early Bird Plus
For information on our Early Bird / Early Bird Plus programme, please visit Family support (autism.org.uk)
Resources
Click here to view our ‘how to’ videos
What is ASD?
https://vimeo.com/448917187/11b7b40ef1
Sensory Processing
https://childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Devon-Early_Years-Sensory_processing.pdf
Please see our Neurodiversity Pathway page for more information and resources: https://childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk/neurodiversity-pathway/
Transition from home learning to school
Further Information
Lots of our information has been taken from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RSCLT) website – https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/clinical-information/autism/
> Autism Education Trust – partnership of organisations with an interest in autism which works to improve education for children with autism.
> Autism Research Centre – led by Simon Baron-Cohen, includes research articles and a free downloadable social cognition assessment.