Support resources for parents of children who have been diagnosed with autism
This page contains information and signposting to support resources that may be of use for children diagnosed with autism. Cheshire Wirral Partnership (CWP) is not commissioned to provide post-diagnostic support for autism.
Please look at the information below for details of support available to you and your child.
Autism and The Equality Act (2010)
Autism is recognised as a disability under The Equality Act (2010). This means that reasonable adjustments must be made in order to accommodate the individual needs where necessary. However, autism can also be associated with creativity and success in certain areas.
Read more about reasonable adjustments on the Autism.org website.
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA)
IPSEA is the leading charity in the field of SEND law in England. They provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. They also provide training on the SEND legal framework, and we influence policy at both a local and national level. They help you navigate the SEND system and secure the education your child is legally entitled to.
Visit the IPSEA website.
Autism Understood
Autism Understood is a website about autism, for autistic young people. Find out more about what autism actually is.
Visit the Autism Understood website.
Autism.org
Telling your child about their diagnosis - a guide for parents and carers for talking about and disclosing your autism diagnosis.
Visit the Autism.org website.
Ambitious About Autism
Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for autistic children and young people. They offer support for autistic children and young people to help them to have happy and fulfilling lives that give them dignity, respect, and compassion. They help young people to get into education and/or employability to lead a fulfilling life, better relationships, good health, wellbeing and being an active citizen within their communities.
Visit the Ambitious About Autism website.
Autistic Girls Network
Autistic Girls Network are a charity working to support, educate, and bring change. There are resources on their website to help. Everything they do supports the mental wellness of neurodivergent girls, women, and non-binary people. Structured, neurodivergent-led support that helps them move from crisis and isolation to confidence, connection and belonging.
Visit the Autistic Girls Network website.
Autism Wales
Resources developed in partnership with neurodivergent people, parents and carers and professionals. The resources are aimed at increasing the knowledge, skills, understanding of neurodivergence and practical tools for parents and carers of neurodivergent people.
Visit the Autism Wales website.
Sunshine Support
Aim to empower and advocate for parents, carers, and professionals who support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Visit the Sunshine Support website.
National Autistic Society (NAS)
NAS provides information and advice to parents, people with autism and professionals through their website. This includes advice on which benefits you may be entitled to, general advice on completing claim forms, what to do if you think a decision is wrong and how to appeal to a tribunal. NAS have a parent-to-parent emotional support helpline which provides emotional support to parents and carers regarding their autistic children, including adult children. Autism influences how people experience and interact with the world. It is a lifelong neurodivergence and disability. Autistic people are different from each other, but for a diagnosis they must share differences from non-autistic people in how they think, feel and communicate. Learn more about autism on the National Autistic Society website.
Visit the National Autistic Society website.
NAS provide training that has been co-produced and is delivered with autistic and neurodivergent people. This is designed to build confidence, develop skills and strengthen inclusive practice across your organisation.
Find out more on the National Autistic Society e-learning page.
The Autism Education Trust (AET)
Launched in 2007 with support and funding from the government. It is the only umbrella organisation working specifically on autism education across the voluntary, public and private sectors. Please see the AET website for information and resources designed for local authorities, schools, parents and carers. Specifically, there is a section containing information and short videos on receiving and understanding a diagnosis of autism
Visit the Autism Education Trust website.
Autism Central
Offering the National Peer Education Programme for families and support networks of autistic people of all ages in England. The programme is delivered by Anna Freud and commissioned by NHS England. They provide families education, coaching, and connection through resources, one-to-one peer support, and community events.
Visit the Autism Central website.
Autism Central offers free online coaching sessions. A safe space to reflect on autistic wellbeing and family life. With peer guides to provide practical guidance to navigate services and offer a listening ear, helping you feel heard and connected. Anyone living in England and supporting an autistic person of any age is eligible and can access up to 10 consecutive sessions. Open to autistic and non-autistic family members of all ages - including parents, partners, siblings, adult children, grandparents, relatives - as well as friends, colleagues, carers and neighbours.
Find out more on the Autism Central One-to-one page.
Great Minds Together
Great Minds Together supports neurodivergent children and young people and those with mental health needs, as well as their families and the professional networks around them. The age range of the young people they can support is 0-25 years old. A diagnosis is not required to access services. There is no age range for support to families.
Visit the Great Minds Together website.
Family Fund
Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity providing grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.
Visit the Family Fund website.
Open University
Open University provide an Understanding Autism course which is self-directed and free of charge.
Visit the Open University website.
AuKids
A magazine for parents of children with autism, including a ‘starter’s special’ edition for parents of newly diagnosed children. AuKids is no longer being produced however all of the issues are still available online. All issues are now downloadable free of charge from their website.
Visit the AuKids website.
Eating - a guide for all audiences.
A varied diet is good for your health, but many people don't achieve this. Some autistic people have a restricted diet, eating only a limited range of food. Others may over-eat. This guide explores common issues, including pica, and ways you can help.
Visit the Autism.org website.
ARFID Awareness UK
The UK’s only registered charity dedicated to raising awareness and furthering information about Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
Visit the ARFID Awareness UK website.
BEAT Eating Disorders
ARFID Peer support group for family members (formerly Endeavour). Endeavour is a peer support group for parents and carers of children and young people aged 5-15, with an ARFID diagnosis and/or displaying ARFID behaviours and presentations.
Visit the BEAT website's ARFID page.
The BEAT website also provides information on autism and eating disorders.
Visit the BEAT website.
Peace
Peace is a pathway for eating disorders and autism developed from clinical experience
Visit the Peace website.
Newbold Hope
Newbold Hope is a small, parent-led organization set up by Yvonne Newbold MBE, to work with families and professional staff from education, health care and social services in reducing anxiety-led difficult and dangerous behaviour in children with an additional need or disability.
Visit the Newbold Hope website.
Spectrum Gaming
Spectrum Gaming is an autistic-led UK based charity that supports autistic young people. They aim to create a world where every autistic young person knows that who they are is ok and they can be themselves, whilst still developing meaningful relationships and achieving their personal goals.
Visit the Spectrum Gaming website.
ERIC - The Children’s Bladder and Bowel Charity
The ERIC website provides information and resources to help with potty training, toileting and children's bowel and bladder conditions for children with additional needs.
Visit the ERIC website.
Brain in Hand
Using Brain in Hand can help you increase your confidence and independence. It makes it easier to manage anxiety, solve problems and do the things that matter to you. It's free and only takes a few minutes to apply.
Visit the Brain in Hand website.
Dynamic Support Register
Children and young people with a learning disability and/or autism may meet the criteria to be added to the Dynamic Support Register. This is a self-referral process with a clinically led assessment tool. The Dynamic Support Register holds information about the child/young person and what areas of their care may require enhanced support. The information on the register helps services to work collaboratively in order to better manage a person’s support and ensure the best possible and most appropriate outcomes in the community in relation to their induvial needs.
Visit the NHS Dynamic Support Register web page.
Youth Fed
Youth Fed is targeted towards supporting young people who have autism or other learning difficulties, for example, dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, auditory processing disorder, and language processing disorder. E-mail YourMindMatters@YouthFed.org to request a referral form.
Visit the Youth Fed website.
Sesame Workshop
Learn what autism is and how to celebrate and support the amazing in all children.
Visit the Sesame Workshop website.
Autism Hub
The Autism Hub is for people who are, or who may be autistic. It is also a useful space for family members, staff, and professionals who support autistic people.
Visit the Autism Hub.
Autism Networks
Autism Networks was established in 2022 and it remains a parent-led organisation to this day.
Visit the Autism Networks website.
Asperger's Syndrome Foundation
The Asperger’s Syndrome Foundation is a registered charity based in central London, England. We are committed to promoting awareness and understanding of Asperger’s Syndrome/Autism without a learning disability, which is now diagnosed as High Functioning Autism or Level 1 Autism. The Foundation aims to promote high quality support and services.
Visit the Asperger's Syndrome Foundation website.
Beyond Autism
Beyond Autism's Outreach and Training Team provide support across the country. The website includes useful autism resources.
Visit the Beyond Autism website.
'Making sense of sensory behaviour' booklet
This booklet is a practical approach at home for parents and carers by occupational therapists. This booklet is designed to help us become more aware of the effects of sensory information and how it may impact on life skills and behaviour.
NHS
The NHS guide can help if you or someone you care about is autistic or might be autistic.
Visit the NHS website.
Daisy Chain Project
The Daisy Chain Project is an award-winning charity supporting autistic and neurodivergent children, young people and adults and their families. Their aim is to provide support and services for those who display traits associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sensory processing differences, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The service is for those pre, during and post diagnosis. Sourcing, sharing and sending resource packs to support parents with loneliness and isolation. Creating and sending bespoke resources and visuals.
Visit the Daisy Chain Project website.
Pathological Demand Avoidance Society
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is widely understood to be a profile of autism. One of the most well-known features of PDA is demand avoidance, which is where a person finds it hard to manage everyday tasks or demands, even those they want or need to do. Without understanding and support, PDA can have a profound impact on people’s lives. Our mission is to make life easier by building awareness and understanding of PDA, and providing information, training, and personalised support to everyone to needs it.
Visit the Pathological Demand Avoidance website.
Crossroads Together
Crossroads Together, which is based in Congleton, provides services predominantly across the North West of England. These areas include Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire West and East and Herefordshire. It is one of the leading provider of professional support to carers and those with care needs.
Visit the Crossroads Together website.
Neurodiversity Suicide Prevention Hub
Grassroots Suicide Prevention have launched a new Neurodiversity Suicide Prevention Hub, a trusted space offering guidance, practical tools, and resources for neurodivergent people and those supporting them. Developed with Amaze and Grassroots Lived Experience Advisory Group, the hub provides insights, lived experience stories, professional guidance, safety plans, and specialist resources.
Visit the Neurodiversity Suicide Prevention Hub website.
Autism Connect
Autism Connect is the UK's first free social network for people with autism and their families.
Visit the Autism Connect website.
The Endorphins Group
Whether it’s dance, drama, arts and crafts, gaming, or other games and activities, our safe and supportive inclusive sessions are a great way for SEND children and young people to have fun, make friends, and flourish. They welcome children and young people with a wide range of additional needs, who may need that extra support.
Visit the Endorphins Group website.
Autism Together
Autism Together understand exactly how to support autistic people to maximise their life opportunities. They offer a wide range of specialist support services to autistic adults, alongside support for autistic children and their families.
Visit the Autism Together website.
Smart Bright Training
Smart Bright Training offers a range of SEND and sensory workshops for parents, carers and practitioners. The training workshops have been developed to share information in an engaging and informal format, whilst still providing participants with the key information to further learner’s knowledge and understanding. Their aim is for all participants to leave our training sessions with a better understanding of topics covered. To feel more confident and better equipped to support children and young people in their care and empowered to navigate SEND processes.
Visit the Smart Bright Training website.
Friends for Leisure
Friends for Leisure help disabled children and young people enjoy friendship and leisure.
Visit the Friends for Leisure website.
Cheshire Autism Practical Support
Cheshire Autism Practical Support (CHAPS) is a charity offering advice, practical support and services for all families across Cheshire whether you have a diagnosis of autism or not. They include events, activities, socialising opportunities, and much more.
Visit the Cheshire Autism Practical Support website.
Autism and Sleep
This useful resource was coproduced with the Spectrum Gaming community and reviewed by the Sleep Charity.
View the Spectrum Gaming Autism and Sleep document.
Centre for Autism Neurodevelopmental Disorder and Intellectual Disability (CANDDID)
The CANDDID website provides free training for parents and carers about supporting people with learning difficulties and autism are available. Although these are aimed at learning disabilities and autism, some information will be relevant for young people with autism (such as information on Equalities Act and the Children and Families Act).
Visit the CANDDID website.
SPACE4Autism
We would recommend contacting SPACE4Autism who are commissioned by NHS Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trust to provide post diagnostic support for young people in East Cheshire and their family following assessment.
Located at: 15-17 Mill Lane, Macclesfield, SK11 7NN.
Telephone: 01625 617 884
Email: info.space@hotmail.com
Parents/carers can receive up-to-date information about events, relevant courses, sessions, services organised and advertised via their website. Occupational Therapy advice sessions and sessions with a sleep practitioner can also be booked through SPACE4Autism.
Visit the SPACE4Autism website.
You can complete membership for free to access up to date events, support services and sessions available.
Visit the membership page.
Autism Training Programme - NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) have commissioned Space4Autism to co-ordinate and arrange an autism training programme covering some of the key issues identified by people living with autism and their parents/families.
Visit the Autism Training Programme page.
Find out what’s on for children and young people, parents and carers and autistic adults. Updated every month.
Visit the What's on Guide page.
Cheshire East Local Offer
All local authorities must commission services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) up to the age of 25 years (Children and families Act 2014). These services must be published in their local offer.
Visit the Live Well website to find out more about the local offer.
Autism Inclusive (AI)
Autism Inclusive is a registered charity based in Crewe offering support to those with autism (diagnosed or suspected), you could also consider some of the events they run, including:
- Weekly parent morning support groups/family fun sessions
- Introduction to positive behaviour support workshops
- Smart Bright Young Things group
- Understanding Autism workshop
Located at St Marks, Bramhall Road, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 8PS.
All upcoming events can be accessed via their website and the team can be contacted directly via email at enquiries@aicrewe.org.uk
Visit the Autism Inclusive website.
Ruby’s Fund
Ruby’s Fund is a charity supporting children and young people aged 0-18 years old with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families and carers in Cheshire East. They provide high-quality facilities onsite at the centre in Congleton and outreach sessions at partner venues and onboard the mobile sensory bus. They offer person-centred support, by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, who are equipped with a wide range of knowledge, expertise and lived experience. They offer coordinated support and action to improve the quality of life and wellbeing to individuals and groups in Cheshire East with some of the most vulnerable and complex needs.
Located at Meridian House, Roe Street, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1PG.
Telephone: 01260 277666
Email: info@rubysfund.co.uk
Visit the Ruby's Fund website.
Friends for Leisure
Helping young people in Cheshire East enjoy friendship and leisure. Their objectives are to provide children and young people with disabilities the opportunities to have fun, make friends and do the everyday things that other children and young people take for granted.
Telephone: 01260 275333
Email: info@friendsforleisure.org.uk
Visit the Friends for Leisure website.
East Cheshire Sleep Services
These resources are for the East Cheshire area for sleep related concerns. Sleep and wellbeing are strongly linked. We know that one of signs that someone may be struggling with their mental health is a change to their sleep pattern. Poor sleep can affect our mental health, and poor mental health can also affect the quality of our sleep.
Visit the MyMind Sleep page.
Visyon
Visyon work with children and young people aged 4 years to 25 years who would like help to improve their mental health. Services offered include: one-to-one therapy; therapeutic groupwork; family support work; therapeutic play; creative activities; mentoring; cognitive behavioural therapy; solution-focused brief therapy; parent support groups.
Visit the Visyon website.
Short Breaks Services in Cheshire East
Cheshire East Council works with a number of organisations who provide a range of short break services for disabled children and their families (e.g. Ruby’s Fund, Activ8, Buzz Youth Activity Group, Congleton 15up, Inclusive Cycling, Friends for Leisure, Ability For All Holiday Club, Alpha Swimming Lessons, UA Rebound Therapy, Dal Dy Dir and Crossroads Together).
A range of free activities are available including residential and overnight stays, personal assistants, outreach workers, creative breaks, arts and crafts, sports, dance and much more.
Where disabled children require additional services over and above those provided under the Core Offer, eligibility criteria will be used which include autistic children and young people who have other impairments such as severe difficulties with intellectual development and/or extreme distress responses.
Visit the Cheshire East Short Breaks webpage.
Cheshire East Parent Carer Forum (PCF)
Offering signposting and involve parent carers in co-producing public services for children and young people with SEND. They can be found on Facebook by searching Cheshire East Parent Carer Forum under 'Groups' for up to date support and events. Information is available on their website.
Visit the PCF website.
Cheshire East Information Advice and Support (CEIAS)
Offering free, confidential support and information to children and young people with SEND, their parents and carers.
Visit the CEIAS website.
Cheshire East Autism Team (CEAT)
A team of autism specialists consisting of teachers, support assistants, a speech & language therapist and a Family Liaison Officer. Providing a service to schools throughout Cheshire East, offering advice and support to all professionals working with pupils with autism and with children who are undiagnosed and have social and communication differences that may be related to autism. Special Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) in mainstream schools contact CEAT when they need advice and support to meet the needs of children. Schools must have parental consent to make a request to CEAT.
Visit the CEAT website.
Disability Positive
The new name for Cheshire Centre for Independent Living. Offering support, advocacy and advice with practical tasks for people with health and care needs.
Telephone: 01606 331853
Visit the Disability Positive website.
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Ready to learn information on sensory processing can be found in this booklet on the Countess of Chester Hospital website.
Live Well Cheshire West
The Autism Service is a team of professionals providing advice and support for mainstream schools to improve inclusion and provision for autistic pupils (4-19 years) or those experiencing related social communication differences.
Visit the Live Well Cheshire West website.
Autism Inclusive
(Available for those living in Winsford and Crewe only). Autism Inclusive is a registered charity based in Crewe offering support to those with Autism (diagnosed or suspected), you could also consider some of the upcoming events they have, including: Weekly parent morning support groups, Introduction to positive behaviour support workshops, Smart Bright Young Things group, Understanding Autism workshop. All upcoming events can be accessed via their website.
Visit the Autism Inclusive website.
Cheshire West and Chester Autism Service Family Support Padlet
A good place to start - local agencies that other parents have identified as the most useful to start with.
Visit the Cheshire West and Chester Autism Service Family Support Padlet website.
For Parents/Carers
The following books may be helpful for parents and carers of young people who have been diagnosed with autism.
- Understanding Your Child’s Sensory Signals: A Practical Daily Use Handbook for Parents and Teachers by Angie Voss (2011)
- Sensory Processing 101 by Dayna Abraham (2015)
- Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person: A Parent’s Handbook to Supporting Newly Diagnosed Teens and Pre-Teens by Cathy Wassell (2022)
- Parenting Rewired: How to raise a happy autistic child in a very neurotypical world. By Daniel Punter and Charlotte Chaney (2022)
- How to raise a happy autistic child. By Jessie Hewitson (2018)
- The family experience of PDA: An illustrated guide to pathological Demand Avoidance. By Eliza Fricker 2022)
- A Different Way to Learn: Neurodiversity and Self-Directed Education by Naomi Fisher (2023)
- Successful Social Stories for Young Children. By Dr Siobhan Timmins (2016)
- Toilet Training and the Autism Spectrum. By Eve Fleming and Lorraine MacAlister (2016)
- Supporting Transgender Autistic Youth and Adults. By Finn V Gratton (2020)
- Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Autism Spectrum, Tourette’s, Anxiety, and More! The one-stop guide for parents, teachers, and other professionals Paperback by MD Martin L. Kutscher (2014)
- Uniquely Human by Barry Prizant (2016)
- The Asperkid’s Book of Social Rules by Jennifer O’Toole (2022)
- Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and How to Think Smarter About People Who Think Differently. By Steve Silberman (2016)
- Declarative Language Handbook: Using a Thoughtful Language Style to Help Kids with Social Learning Challenges Feel Competent, Connected, and Understood by Linda K. Murphy (2020)
- The Reason I Jump: One boy’s voice from the silence of autism by Naoki Higashida (2014)
For Primary Age
The following books may helpful for children and young people from age 4 to 11.
- Autism, Identity and Me: A Practical Workbook and Professional Guide to Empower Autistic Children and Young People (Aged 10+) by Rebecca Duffus (2023)
- The Self-regulation workbook for kids. CBT Exercises and Coping Strategies. By Jenna Berman (2021)
- The Amazing Autistic Brain Cards: 150 Cards with Strengths and Challenges for Positive Autism Discussions: Gloria Dura-Villa (2021)
- Wonderfully Wired Brains: An Introduction to the World of Neurodiversity by Louise Gooding (2023)
- The Abilities in Me: Autism by Gemma Keir (2019)
- Neurodiversity What’s That? by Nadine Arthur (2022)
- Body Boundaries make me stronger by Elizabeth Cole (2022)
- Growing Up: An Inclusive Guide to Puberty and Your Changing Body. By Rachel Greener & Clare Owen (2023)
- What’s happening to Tom? A Book about Puberty for Boys and Young Men with Autism and Related Conditions (Sexuality and Safety with Tom and Ellie) by Kate E Reynolds (2014)
- What’s happening to Ellie? A book about puberty for girls and young women with autism and related conditions by Kate E. Reynolds (2015)
- Autism Friendly Guide to Periods by Robyn Steward (2019)
For Secondary age/young adults
The following books may helpful for children and young people from age 11.
- So, I'm Autistic: An Introduction to Autism for Young Adults and Late Teens by Sarah O'Brien (2023)
- The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills: By Sonny Wise (2022)
- The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD: Cultivate Self-Compassion, Live Authentically, and Be Your Own Advocate by Jennifer Kemp (2024)
- Autism, Identity and Me: A Practical Workbook and Professional Guide to Empower Autistic Children and Young People (Aged 10+) by Rebecca Duffus (2023)
- Girl Unmasked: How Uncovering My Autism Saved My Life by Emily Katy (2024)
- Unmasked. The Ultimate Guide to ADHD, Autism and Neurodivergence by Ellie Middleton (2023)
- The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens by Yenn Purkis (2020)
- Complete Guide to Asperger’s syndrome by Tony Attwood (2006)
- Freaks, geeks and Asperger’s syndrome, by Luke Jackson (2003)
- The Autistic Brain by Temple Grandin (2014)
- No More Meltdowns by Ted Baker (2008)
- The Power of Neurodiversity by Thomas Armstrong (2025)
- The Social Skills Picture Book by Jed Baker (2001)
Dawn Huebner books
Dawn Huebner, PhD, is the author of an ever expanding list of books teaching cognitive-behavioural strategies that empower children to break free from the problems holding them hostage. Lively, encouraging, and easy to follow, each book motivates children to think and act in new ways.
Visit the Dawn Huebner website.
The Art of Autism
Understanding the spectrum cartoon
Visit The Art of Autism website.
Carol Gray Social Stories
Creating connection through stories. A social story accurately describes a context, skill, achievement, or concept.
Visit the Social Stories website.
Zones of Regulation
The Zones of Regulation is a comprehensive, research-based framework that builds emotional and behavioural regulation skills through a lens of inclusion, accessibility, and science.
Grounded in cognitive behavioural theory and designed with real-world application in mind, The Zones gives learners of all ages — and their support networks — a common language and set of tools for understanding and managing emotions.
Visit the Zones of Regulation website.
E-Books
Uniquely Human - A Different Way of Seeing Autism, by Barry M. Prizant, PhD with Tom Fields-Meyer
Read the Uniquely Human eBook.
The following videos may be helpful.
- NHS: After diagnosis
Watch the video on the NHS website.
- National Autistic Society (NAS): Autism: how anxiety affects everything- Sarah Hendrix
Watch the video on YouTube.
- Chicago Humanities: Temple Grandin ‘The Autistic Brain’
Watch the video on YouTube.
- Mind: Information about mindfulness
Watch the video on the Mind website.
Health or patient passports are easy read documents that lets doctors, nurses and other staff know about your needs, likes, dislikes and anxieties so that they can provide the best experience for you in hospital.
Cheshire Hospital Templates
Below are links for templates of Cheshire Hospitals' passports. These can be used for people with ADHD, autism or learning disabilities.
- East Cheshire NHS Trust
- Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Countess of Chester Hospital Foundation Trust
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
My Health passport
My Health Passport is a resource for autistic people who might need hospital treatment. The passport is designed to help autistic people to communicate their needs to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Downloads and guidance for completion can be found on the National Autism Society website.
Autism and co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions
Please also note that it is common for neuro-developmental differences to be present in brothers, sisters and cousins of children with diagnosed conditions. It can also be possible for a parent, grandparent, auntie or uncle to have undiagnosed neuro-developmental differences.
If other family members suspect that they may have autism and there is a significant impact on everyday activities or health and well-being, they can make an appointment to see their GP to request diagnostic assessment for themselves or speak to school about diagnostic assessment for their own children. GPs can refer adults to the Adult Autism Team. The ADHD and Autism Team at Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust accepts referrals from GPs, schools and self-referrals by young people and parent/carers for diagnostic assessment for children and young people.
