If you think your child has autism then you need to discuss this with your childs school and ask them to complete a referal to the Integrated Service for Children with Additional Needs (ISCAN) Service.
What is autism?
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them.
It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support.
The three main areas of difficulty which all people with autism share are sometimes known as the 'triad of impairments'. They are:
- difficulty with social communication
- difficulty with social interaction
- difficulty with social imagination
Additionally, people with autism may have a love of routines; special interests; and experience over or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.
Autism is part of the autism spectrum and is sometimes referred to as an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or an autism spectrum condition (ASC). There are many other conditions that are also thought to be part of the autism spectrum, these include: high functioning autism; pervasive developmental disorders; atypical autism; and Asperger syndrome.
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.
You can read more about what autism is and how it affects people on the National Autistic Society Webpage. https://www.autism.org.uk/
What support is available in Tameside
Tameside Autism Group (T.A.G.) http://tameside-autism-community.org.uk/
Monthly drop in for adults (18+) with Autism Spectrum Disorder. On the 2Nd Monday of the Month there is a regular Social Club that is held at Rydal House . HYDE . This starts at 1-30PM and finishes at 3-30PM . At this event there is a pool table . Board games . Talks . Support Sign Posting . Connection to final diagnosis & aftercare from Community NHS Autism Trained Nurses . New Progress ideas that have been said there is to be 5 NHS Autism Trained Nurses that can provide a final diagnosis . Plus that greater more progressive aftercare with better involvement of support is to be made available .
Advice and Support for Parents of Adults with Autism (A.S.P.A.A.)
Another new group aimed at parents of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder but also including partners of those on the spectrum and open to all those who know and/or support family members or friends. The group aims to provide friendship, understanding and sharing with others who might have similar experiences. Please see below for more information.
Tameside Action for Social Communication and Autism Support Group (T.A.S.C.A)
TASCA are a parent run support group for autistic children and their families within Tameside and Glossop area. They have a monthly drop-in coffee morning at Rose Hill Children's Centre in Ashton and monthly evening event at Bizzy Bouncers Play Centre in Hyde, exclusive to tasca children and their siblings. They have recently launched a monthly ’10 up zone’, organise regular trips and outings and host an internet forum.
Further information
If would like to know more about autism, current developments in Tameside, or if you have any questions please contact Ged Ratchford – Autism Specialist Nurse.
