Information And Resources For Parents Querying Autism
If you’re reading this, you’re likely to have questions about your child’s development and or behaviours querying if they may have Autism. This leaflet is designed to help offer advice on how to look into it further, resources for information on autism, and links for support.
Preschool (Aged less than 5, not yet in school)
A health visitor can do an assessment to check your child’s development, as well as discuss any behavioural concerns you may have. Health visitors can offer advice, information and where appropriate, refer on to specialists for further assessment. If there are signs of developmental delay, it can help to have hearing/sight checks in assessing the cause further. Sight tests for children on the NHS are free and you can arrange one directly with an optician, children do not need to be able to read or speak for this test.
To contact your health visitor, you can ring the health visiting hub for Bournemouth and Christchurch on 01305 363043 or email : Dhc.hvhub.bournemouthandchristchurch@nhs.net
Your local child centre/family hub can help. They have advisors for informal chats and run a range of courses to help with development and support services for various factors which can affect family life:
https://www.ymcabournemouth.org.uk/
Examples of courses run by local child centres: ‘Come Talk with Me’ – language support, ‘Play and Learn’
If your child is in nursery or pre-school, it can help to speak to them to share what you have noticed and ask what they have observed. Nursery/preschool can also do developmental checks.
School age
If your child is in school, it helps to speak to your child’s teacher and the SENCo about your concerns (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), as school also play a pivotal role in your child’s life. Strategies to support a child with potential special educational needs can be discussed, as well as exploring concerns about potential autism further. In line with local clinical Commissioning policy, it will be necessary for a referral to be made by the school SENCo using the standard Community Paediatric referral form that schools have. The school will need to provide information relating to your child’s presentation, particularly with regards to underlying learning ability/academic progress, behaviour, attention span and social development. If there are concerns regarding motor skills and / or coordination, it will be important to supply information regarding functional impact of these on day- to-day activities. If there are concerns regarding behaviour at home, the recommendation as a first intervention is to complete one of the evidence-based behaviour management courses such as the Triple P and /or Incredible Years Course. Referrals for these can be made through the school.
Online resources and links
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/
Information about understanding autism, with video of adults and children living with autism.
https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/health-for-young-people/mental-health-and-wellbeing/autistic-spectrum-condition-asc
Lots of support tools available, from developing an understanding of autism, films of people sharing their experiences living with autism, what the assessment process involves.
https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/
Support website for parents and children with autism. Includes a short film about a girl living with autism, directed by Oscar winning director, Tom Hooper. ‘Me, My Autism and I’.
https://www.autism.org.uk/
National Autistic Society, wealth of information and support on seeking assessments, education, adulthood and work.
https://services.actionforchildren.org.uk/dorset-services
Lists support available to parents, including information on council funded courses on children with challenging behaviours.
https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/
‘Down-to earth parenting advice you can trust. We’re here for you, when you need. Find parenting questions in our advice articles. Or talk to a parenting coach about anything that’s worrying you. It’s all free and no topic is too big, small or embarrassing.’
https://sendiass4bcp.org
‘Providing free, impartial, and confidential information, advice and support for children and young people (up to the age of 25) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their parents/carers, living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.’
https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/health-visitor-referral/zx8d7v4
A helpful site for videos and general advice on how to manage a range of difficulties in early years, including information on milestones, what to expect, concerns about special needs, speech development, or behaviours.
https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk
Support site for understanding challenging behaviour in those diagnosed with learning disability and information and resources for families and carers.