Autism Services

Mission Statement of Autism Service

To provide Autism assessment and diagnosis up to 18 years of age, and short-term therapeutic intervention and support to children, young people (12yrs to 18yrs) and young adults (up to the age of 30yrs) in order to help them and their families understand how Autism affects each individual and be equipped to manage their Autism and achieve an improved quality of life.

Service Objectives of Autism Service

• To provide high-quality multi-disciplinary Autism assessments for children under the age of 12 years as required by the Southern Trust and in keeping with NICE Guidelines and Six-Steps of Autism Care.
• To provide a client and family-centered multi-disciplinary pathway which focuses on time-bound assessment and diagnosis (children up to age 12 years) and tailored short-term therapeutic interventions (up to 30 years).
• To provide timely individualised and short-term Autism intervention, following a confirmed diagnosis of Autism as required by the Southern Trust and in keeping with NICE Guidelines and Six-Steps of Autism Care.
• To work in partnership with service users, parents and carers in evaluating and developing the service.
• To improve clinical outcomes adhering to quality standards, audit and evidence based practices within an overarching Governance Framework.

Autism Services comprises of a range of practitioners such as CAMHS/Autism Head of Service, Autism Clinical Lead, Autism Coordinator/Manager, Medical Staff, Autism Intervention Therapists, Autism Specialist Support Workers, Clinical Psychologist, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapist, Administration Staff and Students / Trainees.

Autism Resources

Autism Services have made a series of resources available HERE.

We appreciate that this is a challenging time for all our young people, parents and carers. We hope that this content will provide useful information to support you during this period of social distancing.

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Autism Assessment – What to Expect

Whilst everyone on the autism spectrum shares a range of particular difficulties, each individual is different, with a wide range of abilities and needs. Some people with autism are able to live independent lives, others need assistance at particular times in their life, whilst others may need a lifetime of specialist support.

The Southern Trust has a range of Autism Services in place to reflect the care pathway from assessment and diagnosis through to post-diagnostic intervention. Whilst the overall Service is based on a ‘trans-generational’ concept, assessment, diagnosis and intervention is as follows:

Children’s Diagnostic Service (Pre-school and Primary School age)

If you have concerns about your child’s development, social skills, communication or behaviour, please speak to your GP, Health Visitor or other health professional in the first instance. They can refer your child to Community Paediatrics for developmental and medical assessment, and possible onward referral for autism assessment if appropriate.

Autism Diagnostic and Intervention Service School Questionnaire

 

For more information on Autism Services please click here

If you have concerns about your child’s mood, behaviour and interactions with others, please speak to your GP or other health professional. A referral can be made to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services for assessment, including assessment for autism if deemed appropriate.

Regardless of your child’s age, we will support your family through the assessment and diagnostic process.

Intervention

Following a diagnosis of ASD, staff will meet with the child/young person’s parents / carers to discuss the diagnosis and draw up an intervention plan, tailored to their particular needs. This will include an invitation to autism training and information sessions, onward referrals to other professionals or agencies as appropriate, and individualised autism-specific support.

Adults’ Diagnostic Service

This service currently sits within Mental Health Services.

Adults’ Intervention Service

Following a confirmed diagnosis of ASD support and intervention is available.

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Contacts