Autism spectrum conditions
Autism is a spectrum condition. This means that it affects people in different ways. Autism is not always diagnosed in childhood: people can be diagnosed at any age.
Watch the video below to gain an introduction to autism that aims to raise awareness, increase understanding and acceptance.
Community Autism Support Service – CASS
The Community Autism Support Service (CASS) can provide information, advice, 1:1 or group support to people aged 5+ who are awaiting a neurodevelopmental assessment or have been diagnosed with autism. The service cannot provide support to those open to mental health services for therapeutic work.
Support is also available to parents and carers, including peer support and on-demand workshops. Parents and carers do NOT need a young person to be referred into the service to access this support.
For more details, please visit the CASS website or contact the Navigation Team on 02476 012333.
Family and Parenting support
In Warwickshire, parents and carers have access to a variety of parenting resources and advice. Information, advice and support is available online, through telephone or face-to-face contact. This help is available to all families, including those with additional needs, to help them deal with issues as early as possible. It is a spectrum of support that ranges from information, advice and support that families can access themselves through to more individualised or targeted support.
- Find parenting support
- Support for parent/carers
- Information for young people
- Rise early support for parents and carers
- Rise recommended resources
- Autistic Girls Network
- More peer support groups can be found in the information and advice for neurodivergent people and their families booklet - Dimensions
SearchOut Warwickshire
SearchOut Warwickshire is a directory to help you find activities, services and events that are local to you. Find information on parent and/or children and young people’s support groups and activities, short breaks and other support services.
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society has a wealth of information and support for autistic people and their families. They provide expert advice on a wide range of issues, including education, diagnosis, health and wellbeing, relationships, transitions and phone and email services.
- National Autistic Society
- National Autistic Society: post-diagnosis support - a guide for parents and carers from
- National Autistic Society: dedicated area for autistic adults
- National Autistic Society: help and support
Autism Central
Autism Central is a new programme aimed at helping families and carers to learn more about autism and the support available to them by signposting to useful resources, one to one sessions and workshops.
- Find out more at Autism Central
- Autism Central: book a one-to-one appointment
Understanding Autism
The University of Leicester and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust have created a set of short information videos on different aspects of autism, with funding from the Carlton Hayes Charity. The videos cover some of the more common characteristics of autism and the more common difficulties that are seen. Included in these videos are:
- What is ASC and what causes ASC?
- Understanding social and communication difficulties.
- Understanding the difficulties in social imagination.
- Understanding and managing behavioural problems.
- Managing sleep problems.
- Understanding sensory problems
The videos are available on the University of Leicester website.
Professionals
Professionals working with families with children and young people with an autism diagnosis or awaiting assessment can access ‘toolbox’ training sessions on a range of topics.
- More information for the Community Autism Support Service
- Resources from CW Mind
- Toolbox training for professionals - via Eventbrite
- Information video about the importance of language when talking to or about neurodivergent individuals - CW Integrated Care
- Free autism training for schools
- Act for Autism training for professionals
Other useful links are listed on the right-hand side of this page (at the bottom if viewing on a mobile phone).