Autism

What is Autism?

Amazing things happen

This video helps introduce autism for younger audiences

Autism is a processing difference that can have an impact on many areas of a person’s life. Autistic people often experience differences in how they process information, their sensory environment and how they interact with other people. It is estimated that one in 100 children, teenagers and adults in the UK are autistic.

While autistic people share some similar characteristics, they are also all different from each other. This is because autism is considered a spectrum. The autism spectrum is not linear from high to low but varies in every way that one person might vary from another. There is no ‘typical’ autistic person. Every autistic individual has their own strengths, differences and needs, their own life journey and their own unique story.

Some people who have Autism may also have learning disabilities, mental health issues or other conditions.

Having an Autism assessment will identify what strengths, differences and needs someone may have and how those can be supported at home and school and address any concerns.

Most importantly, it can help someone understand their differences and navigate the world around them. An Autism diagnosis will also help young people access to resources in the local area to support them in learning and socialising.

Girls and Autism

NASEN have produced a guide that discusses Autism in girls. The guide can be found by clicking the picture below this will open a new window.

NASEN Girls and Autism guide NASEN - Girls and Autism guide (opens PDF in new window)

Over the years there have been many different terms and phrases used to describe autism, some of which are still in use today. However, more recently there has been a shift in understanding and changes and developments in how people talk about autism.

When you meet an autistic person, they might use different terms to describe themselves:

‘Autistic person’
‘On the spectrum’
‘Person with autism’
‘I have Asperger Syndrome’

People have different preferences of what they like used when describing them and autism, so it is always best to ask the individual themselves what their preference is.

Don’t assume what someone might be like because they are autistic but instead ask them or someone who knows them well what their strengths and differences and likes and dislikes are. Making assumptions about autistic people may impact on how we interact with them. every autistic person has their own profile of strengths and needs and is unique.

You may hear people talking about Autism using labels such as Asperger Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Condition or Disorder, Atypical Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder or High Functioning Autism. These have all been used as diagnostic labels to describe different profiles of autism.

You may have heard the term Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) or Demand Avoidant profile being used to describe autism. The existence of PDA as a ‘diagnostic term’ and how it fits within the autism spectrum is widely debated.

For children and young people (up to 18):

Please see the Autism, ADHD and ADD support and assessment (opens link in new window) page.

For people over 18:

The Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) service (opens link in new window) is a run by the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation trust (SWYPFT) (opens link in new window)

The service for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a specialist service dedicated to supporting:

young people moving from children to adult services
adults previously diagnosed with ADHD requesting referral back to services
adults seeking a new diagnostic assessment

There main clinic is based at the Manygates clinic in Wakefield, however they use a number of community bases, including ones in Kirklees.

Service users have access to a multi-disciplinary team which includes medical, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy and speech & language therapy practitioners. Specialist social work support is also available from the team or from our local authority partners.

Referrals are accepted from GP's, consultants and other services within the SWYPFT.

You will be contacted by SWYPFT with an appointment for the diagnostic assessment.

Outcome of the assessment:

Following a confirmation of diagnosis the Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) team provide specialist assessment, treatment and support, such as:

information and education around ADHD
medication management
support to identify and achieve individual goals using the ADHD star assessment (a way to track progress)
psychological assessment and therapy
support to develop independent living skills
carer assessment, information and support
interventions may be offered on an individual or group basis

For adults accessing the service on an out of area basis, short-term support will be offered. If long-term support is needed this will normally mean an individual is referred back to their local services.

Additional support for children and young people with Autism is provided by:

the Early Years SEN Team for children aged 0-5 (EYSEND Team), and
Kirklees Complex Communication and Interaction Outreach Team (CCI Team) for children and young people over 5

EYSEND Team

This team offers inclusion provide support and advice to all early years settings (private, voluntary, independent and maintained) around young children with complex needs including social communication difficulties.

Portage is part of the team and provide home-based specialist teaching support to very young children with complex needs including those with social communication needs (where not yet attending an early years setting).

CCI Team

This team meets the special educational needs of children and young people in schools with social communication difficulties including Autism. This covers all children and young people with social communication needs regardless of any referral to the Autism Assessment Team.

More information about these outreach services can be found on our EYSEND page (opens link in new window) or our Outreach services page (opens link in new window)

CCI Outreach Team

This team have a parents and carers “Phone-in” helpline which is available for parents and carers of children nursery 2 to year 6 who have been referred to the CCI Service.

It is available on Wednesdays between 10am and 12pm.

Telephone: 01924 483744 and give details of:

parent/carer’s name
child’s name
childs age/year group
child’s school
a contact phone number

The Business Support Officer will put your call through to the appropriate team member.

Educational Psychology Service (EP service)

Educational Psychology are part of the Kirklees Council Learning and Early Support Service and work with parents, schools and other agencies to support children and young people age 0-25. They help school staff, parents and carers to find solutions to improve the learning outcomes of children and young people and support children and young people’s social and emotional development and wellbeing.

More information can be found on our Education Psychology page (opens link in new window)

Sensory Occupational Therapy service

Some children and young people with Autism also have some sensory needs. Within Kirklees we have a team of sensory occupational therapists who can provide support. Sensory OT's work across Kirklees with children and young people with sensory integration difficulties that are impacting on their development and independence. They work closely with teachers and other professionals to train and advise those working with the child and young person to understand and recognise their sensory needs. They give advice on making changes to the child’s environment and strategies to meet sensory needs and to help develop independence.

More information can be found on our Sensory Occupational Therapy page (opens link in new window)

These videos are about creating Autism friendly environments.

Part 1

Part 2

Local Help And Advice

(Click on the pictures to go to their websites. They all open a new page)


	Huddersfield support group for autism (HSGA) The Huddersfield Support Group for Autism offers advice, meetings, trips and events amongst other things. They are a voluntary, self-help group of individuals and families living or working with Autism. Please join the group if it is for you. A confirmed diagnosis of ASD is not needed to join.

	The Whole Autism Family A local Autism support group in Kirklees that offers mutual support and access to literature, training courses and professional guests. The support group is accessible by the whole family, from individuals affected by Autism, siblings, parents and carers to extended family members, greatly reducing the isolation felt by many.

	Various cinemas – Autism friendly cinema screenings Innovative autism friendly screenings providing opportunities for people with Autism or sensory sensitivity to enjoy a trip to the cinema. They work with ODEON, Cineworld, Vue and Showcase to host Autism friendly screenings at over 250 cinemas nationwide. They are on Sunday mornings, are screened in a sensory friendly and inclusive environment and are suitable for all audiences. Adjustments at the cinema reduce over-stimulation and create a welcoming place for people with Autism to enjoy films with their families, friends or carers.

You can also find information about local support groups for parents/carers on the Local Offer Support Groups and Advice page (opens link in new window)
Help, support and information outside your local area (Click on the pictures to go to their websites. They all open a new page)
	National Autism society (NAS) - NAS website (opens link in new window) The UK's leading charity for people on the Autism spectrum and their families. They provide support, guidance and advice, as well as campaigning for improved rights, services and opportunities to help create a society that works for Autistic people.

	Autism Education Trust (AET) The AET works to support schools, local authorities and parents & carers with information advice and guidance around improving access to education and outcomes for those with autism. They have made a lot of really useful guides for parents including (all links open a PDF in new page): Working together with your child's school (opens link in new window) Guide to finding the right school for your Autistic child (opens link in new window) Legal guide for parents/carers if their Autistic child is excluded (opens link in new window) School refusal, anxiety and the impact on the family (opens link in new window)

	NHS The NHS's website provides some general knowledge, guidance, information on what to do next and getting a diagnosis on Autism.

AWARE (opens link in new window) - is a parent-run group supporting families with children and young adults on the autistic spectrum. They Have created a advent Calendar with great tips and links to useful websites for parents struggling over the Christmas period.

What is Autism?

Amazing things happen

Girls and Autism

For children and young people (up to 18):

For people over 18:

These videos are about creating Autism friendly environments.

Local Help And Advice

You can also find information about local support groups for parents/carers on the Local Offer Support Groups and Advice page (opens link in new window)

Help, support and information outside your local area

Useful links

Support for adults with autism

Sparkle - Autism support and advice

Consult Yo Ltd (Autism training)

Ambitious About Autism

NASEN

AET