What is Autism?

Autism covers a wide range of developmental differences, affecting how a person:

• communicates
• interacts with others
• perceives the world

Challenges include:

• social skills
• sensory processing
• flexibility of thought
• understanding emotions

Autism is a spectrum and is different for each Autistic person.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The National Autistic Society created an uplifting video to help you understand. 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst an Autistic person may find social scenarios challenging. 

An Autistic brain may have greater abilities with:

• memorising
• logical thinking
• attention to detail
• honesty and reliability
• perfection and order

Spikey profiles can help you understand these differences in abilities within Autism.

Lastly, here's a Haiku about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

An Autistic mind

Sees the world differently

A beautiful thing

Supporting services 

·       National Autistic Society PDA - a guide for parents and carers www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/pda/parents-and-carers

·       PDA society Helpful approaches with PDA – children www.pdasociety.org.uk/life-with-pda-menu/family-life-intro/helpful-approaches-children/

·       APTCOO: A Place to Call Our Own is a registered charity based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, providing a wide range of information, advice and access to a flexible menu of specialist support services for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) Contact number 01623 629902 http://www.aptcoo.co.uk/

·       Autism East Midlands: Autism East Midlands is the largest specialist autism charity in the East Midlands and has been providing support to people affected by autism for over 50 years. https://www.autismeastmidlands.org.uk/

 

• Be U Support | Free Mental Health Service for Children and Young People​ Be U Notts is a free, accessible, and convenient mental health and emotional wellbeing support service for Children and Young People between 0-25 years of age and their parent/carers in Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County (except Bassetlaw).  Contact number 0115 7080008

 

• CASY Counselling: http://www.casy.org.uk 01636 704620 CASY Provides a confidential counselling service to young people aged from 6 to 25 years within Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire

 

• Young Minds is a really useful website which has a lot of information for parents who are worried about the wellbeing of a child. There is a free confidential parents helpline 0808 802 5544 www.youngminds.org.uk  for parents and a useful ‘parents survival guide’.

 

• Parentline Text on 07520 619919The texting service is an easy way for parent and carers of children aged 0 – 19 years to confidentially ask for help about a range of issues, such as: feeding and nutrition, child development, parenting advice and support, emotional health and wellbeing, behaviour difficulties, family health.