Autism

• What is the condition
• How is the condition diagnosed
• My child or young person might be autistic
• What to expect following the diagnosis
• What services and support are offered for the condition

What is the condition

Autism is often called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). The main areas that are affected are social interaction and communication. Also, many people with autism also experience sensory sensitivities.

• More information about autism can be found on the National Autistic Society website (external link)

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How is the condition diagnosed

Assessment

A diagnosis of autism will involve a few meetings with an NHS multidisciplinary medical and health professional team. Your child may be asked to attend a series of appointments so specific skills and activities can be observed and assessed. Once this process is complete, a diagnosis of ASD may be confirmed.

More information can be found on the websites below:

• Getting an Autism diagnosis (external link)
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence - NICE (external link)

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My child or young person might be autistic

If you think your child may be autistic, you can initiate a referral with your GP, or you can discuss with your health visitor/school staff. Also, GPs and school staff can refer children, to Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for secondary school age to begin the assessment procedure.

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What to expect following the diagnosis

• Parents/carers of children under 11 years old diagnosed at the Child Development Centre St Ann’s are offered a two part post diagnostic parent group to talk about the diagnosis. Haringey run groups called 'Early Bird' and 'Family Seminars'. You can contact our Autism Team on last@haringey.gov.uk to find out more
• CAMHS offer post diagnostic support for the young person/family dependent upon need
• The Haringey Language and Autism Support Team (a local authority education team that support schools), offer support around the big transition phases, entering Reception, transitioning from primary to secondary school and leaving school to attend a local college. This team also offer the support of sharing the diagnosis with young people from year 6 onwards (with parental consent) for more information on this you can contact last@haringey.gov.uk

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What services and support are offered for the condition

Charities/voluntary services

• The National Autistic Society - NAS (external link)
  The National Autistic Society is the leading charity for autistic people and their families. They offer support via telephone and online enquiries; more information can be found on their website.
• Haringey Autism (external link)
  Haringey Autism is a group for parents and carers of children on the autistic spectrum living in the London Borough of Haringey. It is the local NAS support group.

Support in Education and health

• Haringey schools and colleges can request additional support and/or training from the Haringey Language and Autism Support Team.
  • Contact last@haringey.gov.uk for more information
• The key approaches adopted by the education teams can be found here
• In addition to this, schools can make referrals to and request support from Haringey Speech and Language Therapies, Haringey Educational Psychology Service and Haringey Occupational Therapy Services. Please, ask your school or educational setting about this. You can also see more about these services on our health and education support pages
• For further, general support and general SEND parents/carers groups, please check our Support page

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