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Home: Children and families: Parents and carers: Special Educational Needs

Autism outreach

Psychology and Specialist Outreach - August 2011
dewsbury.psychology@kirklees.gov.uk

What is an autistic spectrum disorder?
Children and young people on the autistic spectrum have a different perspective and experience of the world. They have three main areas of difficulty (known as the 'triad of impairments'):
  • Social relationships
  • Social language and communication skills
  • Social imagination and flexibility of thought.
In addition to the triad, many children on the spectrum share common behaviours, such as insistence on routines and obsessions with certain objects or interests. Some have different perceptions of sounds, sights and textures.

The term 'spectrum' is used because of the variations in intensity and associated difficulties (i.e. different sub-groups). The children and young people will have different characteristics and no two individuals will be alike.

Autism can affect children across the entire range of intellectual ability. Those with a higher level of ability and good spoken language are likely to be diagnosed as having Asperger Syndrome.
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What support do we offer?
  • We promote knowledge and understanding of the difficulties experienced by children and young people with an autistic spectrum disorder.
  • Our primary role is to provide specialist support and advice to school staff and parents.
  • We offer a flexible approach which can include the following:
    • Assisting teachers in the development and implementation of an Individual Educational Plan (IEP)
    • Working alongside support staff, offering guidance and modelling on useful techniques
    • Working with peer groups
    • Supporting parents and carers
    • Providing input into reviews
    • Training for all school staff, including lunchtime supervisors
    • Parent workshops
    • Additional short-term support when the difficulties intensify
    • Increased short-term support for children and young people changing schools
    • Support and advice to staff in special schools and resourced provisions
    • Developing links with colleges and work experiences
    • Liaison with other agencies (health and social services)
    • Regular open forum meetings for parents and professionals
    • Translation and interpretation into other languages can be provided
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Who we are
  • An educational psychologist
  • Three support workers
  • Two teachers
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Referring a child to us
Referrals can be made by:
  • Parents and carers
  • School staff
  • Other professionals
Criteria for referrals:
  • A diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder
  • Parental permission
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Contact details
Psychology & Specialist Outreach
Child & Family Consultation Centre
Temple Road
Dewsbury
WF13 3QD

Tel: 01924 324850
Fax: 01924 324870
Email: dewsbury.psychology@kirklees.gov.uk
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