Autism

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. More than one in 100 people are on the Autism Spectrum, and there are around 700,000 Autistic adults and children in the UK (National Autistic Society).

In Cumbria an Assessment for Autism is led by the Community Paediatric Team. You might have heard this pathway being called the Multi-Agency Assessment Team (MAAT). For more information please visit the Autism information and support hub.

What we can offer

Speech and Language Therapy support children when they have a communication need, which is having an impact on them. Speech and Language Therapy do not support children because they are Autistic.

You might find some of our other pages helpful to understand how you can help. If your child is:

showing preference for other means of communication go to our Early Communication section and our Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) section
not yet expanding their ways of playing, go to our Play section
finding it difficult to follow instructions go to our Understanding section
learning language in chunks, repeating language they’ve heard or not yet using sentences go to our Talking section
finding it tricky to pronounce words, go to our Speech section
repeating sounds and words or other indicators of a stammer, go to our Stammering section
not talking in some situations, go to our Situational mutism section

Autism assessment and speech and language therapy

Some children will receive a Communication and Interaction Assessment as part of their Autism Assessment Pathway. This will be completed by a Speech and Language Therapist. Children access this via a referral from their Community Paediatrician. Speech and Language Therapy are able to assess, observe and analyse a child’s communication. We also consider their communication preferences and any difficulties they may experience.

This includes:

the way they express their wants, needs and feelings
the way they understand, process and interpret information and instructions
the way they use their communication skills in social interaction opportunities

Parents/carers are also asked to complete a Communication and Interaction Questionnaire. This captures information about early communication development and interaction skills. There are also questions about play, social skills and sensory preferences. Older children/young people are encouraged to help complete this as appropriate.

Speech and Language Therapy will often meet with the young person. Their assessment will be tailored to their strengths, needs and preferences. As appropriate, it might include:

informal discussion with your child/young person about their interests and passions
detailed discussion around their communication style and preferences
looking at and talking about assessment materials such as photos or pictures
observations of how the young person prefers to communicate and interact with others

A Communication and Interaction Assessment can be completed in different contexts to be flexible around the young person, and to achieve a well-rounded assessment picture. This might include a:

clinic appointment
home visit
school visit

Who else can support

Autism Pathway Navigators

An Autism Pathway Navigator can help you to understand the Autism Assessment Pathway. They can help you access local and national support and resources. They can be an advocate for children, young people and families.

If you would like support during the Autism Assessment Pathway you can contact your local Autism Pathway Navigator

North Cumbria

Kerry Armstrong
Email: NorthCumbriaChildrensMAAT@ncic.nhs.uk
Telephone: 01228 608112

South Cumbria

Lisa Jackson
Email: SouthCumbriaChildrensMAAT@ncic.nhs.uk
Telephone: 01229 402700

Children's Behaviour and Learning Disability Team

This service provide support to understand and meet the health needs of children with Learning Disabilities, Global Developmental Impairment and Autism.

Speech and Language - information for families