Autism

People with autism spectrum condition (ASC) typically have difficulty with communication and social interaction. ASC can be detected during infancy, these children usually find it hard to make eye-contact, express themselves and be around other children of the same age; they also struggle to read other people’s emotions. If you are concerned about your child’s development and behaviour always talk to your health visitor.

The symptoms of ASC are the same within adulthood and if un-diagnosed can lead to social isolation, anxiety and depression.

The NHS autism support pages offer advice, support and also related facts.

Integrated autism assessment and support pathway for children and young people

The integrated autism assessment and support pathway (PDF, 300KB) provides a framework for autism assessment and integrated support for children and young people aged 0-25 across Cheshire East, and delivers a multi-disciplinary, coordinated assessment and diagnosis framework that reduces duplication and leads to a single, shared plan of support.

The integrated autism assessment and support pathway is made up of the following:

• Getting advice – First Concerns Pathways 
• Getting help – Autism Assessment Pathway
• Getting more help – Pre and Post-Diagnostic Support Pathway 
• Getting risk support - Prevention of Crisis/Specialist Risk Support

Autism assessments in Cheshire East

There are different NHS providers of autism assessments in Cheshire East. The pathway you follow will depend on where you live and more specifically, the location of your GP.

In the north of Cheshire East,  NHS Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trust provide autism assessments for children and they also provide autism assessments for adults across the whole of Cheshire East.

Autism Hub: Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

In the south of Cheshire East, autism assessments for children are provided by  NHS Mid Cheshire Hospitals Foundation Trust

Autism Spectrum Disorder pre diagnosis: Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

If you are not sure which service is right for you, please speak to your health visitor, or school nurse, or your GP for guidance and information.

Cheshire East All Age Autism Strategy 2020-2023 

The update of the Cheshire East All Age Autism Strategy is pending, further information will be available on this page as soon as possible.

The council, health, our partners and importantly, Cheshire East residents who experience autism as part of their lives have coproduced an autism strategy in which we set out our vision and priorities for services for people with autism; 

• Cheshire East All Age Autism Strategy 2020-2023 (PDF, 5MB)
• Cheshire East All Age Autism Strategy 2020-2023 (Easy Read) (PDF, 552KB)

While the strategy is informed by the Autism Act 2009 and the National Autism Strategy, it is shaped by our children, young people and adults to ensure we all work to meet their needs and aspirations. 

Achieving our vision and priorities is crucial, so we will monitor the delivery of the strategy and provide annual updates, which will be available on this page.