Information on SEND conditions

Autism affects social interaction, communication, interests, and behaviour.

It is often described as ‘Autism Spectrum Condition’ (ASC) as the way someone’s autism is expressed differs for each person. 

It's estimated that about 1 in every 100 people in the UK has ASC. More boys are diagnosed with the condition, although it's thought to be under-recognised in girls.

Girls with autism seem better at noticing how peers react in different situations, and copy their actions to ‘fit in’ with social norms. This is called ‘masking’ and can be tiring and stressful for young people to manage for long periods.

Autism is a lifelong condition, and there is no 'cure' for ASC. Instead, children and parents can be helped through speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, educational support, and other interventions.

Read the All-Age Autism Strategy.

The main features of ASC – problems with social communication and interaction – can often be spotted in early childhood.

Some young children with ASC don’t babble or use other vocal sounds. Older children have problems using non-verbal behaviours to interact with others – for example, they have difficulty with:

• eye contact
• facial expressions
• body language
• gestures.

For more about the signs of autism in children and when to get advice see the NHS website.

Diagnosis - under 5

If you're worried that your child is showing signs of autism, speak to your GP, health visitor or School Nurse. Sharing your concerns with your child's nursery or school can also be helpful.

Your nursery or health visitor may complete a social communication questionnaire with you and then refer you to the specialist clinic at Wood Street Health Centre, the Social Communication Clinic.

See the quick guide for young people and their families (PDF) produced by SCIE and NICE.

Diagnosis - older children

If your child is over 5, their school can refer them to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for an assessment. CAMHS will ask them for information on how your child is doing at school and how they relate to other children. This includes completing a questionnaire called a ‘Childhood Autism Spectrum Test’ (CAST)

They may also ask for reports from professionals working with your child such as an Educational Psychologist or a Speech and Language Therapist.

You'll be called for an in-depth interview with you and your child which may be in person or via video, followed by a face-to-face appointment with your child.

There is currently a waiting list of 4 months for the first contact and 4 to 6 months for the follow-up appointment and discussion.

They will also be looking for any features of health needs or neuro-disability that can commonly occur with Autism Spectrum Conditions such as:

Epilepsy

Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder

Mental Health Needs

The exact cause of ASC is unknown, but it's thought that genetic and environmental factors are involved.

In the past, some people believed the MMR vaccine caused ASC, but this has been investigated around the world, involving millions of children, and researchers have found no evidence of a link between MMR and ASC.

You may be concerned that your child’s ASC has been caused by something you have or have not done for your child. This is also not the case, parenting styles are not the cause of Autism.

To find out more about the research on ASC, how to broach the subject with your child or child’s school you can look at the National Autistic Societies website

You will receive a detailed report after your appointment which will include signposting to relevant services. You will be invited to attend a group for a post diagnostic follow up, with parents of children who are the same age as your child. 

The professionals who carry out the diagnosis will refer you to these groups which include:

Good Beginnings – a group for parents of children who have been diagnosed before their child is 5 years old, run by the Wood Street Speech and Language Therapists

PAWS - a group for parents of children who have been diagnosed before their child is 5 years old, run by the Wood Street specialist nurses

Cygnet or Early Bird- a group for parents and children who have been diagnosed after their child is 5 years old, run by the Educational Psychology service and the Early Help Services. 

Understanding Autism – a group for parents and children who have been diagnosed after their child is 5 years old, run by the SENCO in your school. Please ask your school about when your child will be seen. 

The above groups all cover the following types of information:

• How Autism can manifest in different children
• Adjusting to and supporting your child and their siblings with routines and boundaries
• Practical issues such as sleeping eating and toilet training
• Dealing with anxiety and fears
• Support in education
• Support at home and short breaks

The staff assessing your child may also make onward referrals to other specialist health services such as the dietician or specialist dentist, or therapies such as speech and language therapy or occupational therapy

If you do decide that you wish to access a private Autism assessment, is it important to consider the following when doing your research:

• the assessment should take account of your child’s functioning in more than one setting
• the diagnosing team should be overseen by a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist. A health or education professional may discuss the diagnosis with you as the lead professional, however you should check that their assessment and findings have been discussed and agreed by a Paediatrician or Psychiatrist as part of their team.

The local team will want to meet with you and your child to ratify the diagnosis when your child reaches the top of the waiting list for a local diagnostic assessment.

You do not have to have a diagnosis before your child can have additional help at nursery. Speech and Language Therapists provide training into Waltham Forest nurseries. The nurseries are also supported by Early Years advisors who help them support the children in the nursery.

Your school can also ask for some advice from the Autism Advisory Teachers who are part of an organisation in Waltham Forest called ‘Flourish’ 

You can find out about more support by looking at the information on Autism on the NELFT website

If you are over 18 years and want to be referred for an autism assessment you will need to make an appointment with your GP and ask for a specialist referral to the Adult Autism Service in Waltham Forest. You can find out more on NHS getting diagnosed 

There are concerns that parents commonly have about their child’s needs when going through the process of diagnosis. 

Sleep management and support for parents with SEN children is accessible via 2sleep local organisation and SCOPE organisations. For information about  sleep support complete out self referral on the short breaks pages

For information on Toileting see our continence pages

Some children may have Selective Eating and need advice from a child development nursing team or sometimes dietetics