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Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Support

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) support

We recognise that young people with a diagnosis of Autism or social and communication difficulties are more likely to experience high levels of emotional distress. As a parent it can often feel difficult to find the right support for you and your child. We have therefore put together this information page to try to help you make sense of what support is available in:

  • LPFT Children and Young People (CYP) services
  • education services
  • the community. 

LPFT CYP Services in Lincolnshire do not provide a specialist or diagnostic service for children and young people with a diagnosis, or suspected diagnosis, of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Click here to find out more about how to refer for an ASD Assessment

 

What support do we offer?

Here in LPFT we have a range of emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children, young people and families. These services may be right for you and your child or young person in the following circumstances:

  • If a young person is assessed by our practitioners as presenting with an emotional or mental health difficulty. The types of support we offer depends on the types of difficulties that your child is experiencing. 
     
  • If a young person is assessed by our practitoners as presenting with an emotional or mental health difficulty, and we agree together that you, as their parent or carer, could benefit from advice or attending one of our parent or carer programmes or workshops.

    These parent and carer programmes and workshops are designed to provide support on different approaches that you could use to help your child with their mental health needs. They provide some space to think about what strategies might be helpful for your child and family.
     

Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments are made for all children and young people open to our services. They take into account:

  • ages
  • cognitive ability
  • communication needs
  • individual circumstance and need.

If you think your child or young person requires reasonable adjustments to access our service, then please let us know. It may be helpful for you to tell us in advance about what we might need to consider when setting up a first appointment for your child. For example would digital or face to face be easier?

I'm still not sure if you can help

To find out more about the different services we offer, please visit our I need more help webpage.

If you are worried about the emotional and mental wellbeing of your child, or want to discuss whether we are the right service for you, then please visit our self-referral webpage or contact our Here4You Advice and Referral line (24 hours a day) telephone  0800 234 6342.

What other supports and services are there?

Neuro diverse children and young people may continue to find aspects of life challenging and may find making changes very difficult. They may need those important people around them (parents or carer, schools) to alter their approach to help the young person realise their potential. 

With this in mind, we have put together a directory of websites, education resources, support groups and other services that we hope can help. Alongside this, it may also be helpful to take a look at Lincolnshire's 'Local Offer' which has further information about local services for children with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.

Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum work alongside the Local Health Authority to help services meet the needs of children with Disabilities and Special Educational Needs. They also facilitate some free events for parents. For more information on their latest events or to sign up please explore the Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum Website.

 

Ellen- Me and my Autism

The video below may not be suitable for the hard of hearing.

"Autistic Person" or "Person with Autism?"

‘Person with autism’ or ‘person first language’ is used to make sure the person is put at the centre of their own life and recognises that they are a person first.

‘Autistic person’ or ‘identity first language’  recognises that someone can’t leave their autism behind and that it is an inherent part of who they are and how they experience the world.

On this webpage we have used a mixture of 'person-first' and 'identity-first' language, recognising that this is a point of debate, and people may come with different preferences.

 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)?

'Autistic spectrum disorder‘ is the label given by medical professionals to someone with autism. Medical professionals will generally use the term ASD when referring to the condition. 

'Autism spectrum condition' is sometimes used by those outside the medical profession to describe someone with autism.

Education and social care professionals are questioning whether autism should be viewed as a disability, as indicated by the word ‘disorder,' moving away from  potential negativity associated with the term.

Throughout this webpage we use the term ASD. However, we recognise that it is helpful and valuable to recognise the strengths and talents that can be linked to a young person's ASD, rather than viewing it as a 'problem'.

 

What about Aspergers?

Aspergers used to be a term used to describe what was considered a specific 'type' of ASD or point on the Autistic spectrum. However, this diagnosis has not been used since 2013, with the umbrella term of 'ASD' being adopted instead.

You may find some resources and books featured on this webpage that still use the term 'Aspergers'. This will typically reflect that a new edition of that book or resource has not yet been published.
 

Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity typically refers to the range of differences in individual brain function or behavioural traits, that are regarded as part of normal variation in the human population.

This term is often used in the context of ASD as it reflects the belief that  ASD is a normal variation of the human experience, rather than being seen as a 'problem to be fixed'. Neurodiversity suggests that people with ASD instead have different needs and different ways of coping. This move toward 'neurodiversity' is seen by many as a move toward more widepsread acceptance for those on the spectrum.

We have used this term on the webpage at points to reflect our approach in CYP services. When working with young people with ASD, rather than 'fixing' or eliminating 'symptoms' of ASD, we will seek to help young people (and parents/carers) understand their experience. This includes what may underly their behaviour, and explore or recommend ways to manage moving forward.