80 Castleton, Ballyclare, BT39 0AZ email- templepatrickpediatrics@gmail.com
Autism
What is Autism?
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how people perceive the world around them, how they may perceive their own emotions and those of others and how they interact with others. Autism may bring along with it many positive attributes as well as potential difficulties. At clinic we feel that Autism is a variation of human behaviour and over the years has greatly enriched society.
Autism is a spectrum condition which means while people on the spectrum share similar core difficulties they can also have significant differences- some people with Autism are incredibly bright and academically very able and others may have learning difficulties ranging from profound to mild.
Autism is not an illness or a disease. Individuals with Autism and their families prefer to consider themselves as Neurodiverse – with a range of strengths and special skills that “neurotypicals” may not have, we strongly agree with this concept. Each individual will see and feel the world differently and for each person their Autism will affect them in different ways.
DIAGNOSIS
Our multi-disciplinary team aims to ensure prompt and appropriate diagnosis in accordance with NICE guidelines, using DSM V criteria and taking into account the young person’s presentation across multiple settings and their strengths and weaknesses with the aim of providing advice on how best to support the individual long term ensuring they are accepted and understood.
Rather than a "diagnosis" or "label" we prefer to think of assessment as a discovery of the young person's Neurotype. All our different brain types are needed for the progress of human kind and knowing how we think enables us to find like minded peers and our place in the world. Our aim is to see, support and celebrate all kinds of minds.
Our assessment involves an ADOS-2 assessment carried out on the young person by our Specialist Speech and language therapists or Principal Clinical Psychologist and this is a play based assessment providing information on behaviours/communication/play that may be related to Autism. Our staff are trained in supporting young people with a range of needs through a low arousal approach. A Neurodevelopmental history is taken from the parent/carer by our Paediatrician Dr McClure who specialises in Autism Assessments in her NHS work. Supplementary information from school gathered pre appointment is then used in our Multi-Disciplinary report. In a smaller number of children who may find it difficult to participate in the ADOS in a new setting or where further evidence is required we arrange with parental consent to carry out an observation of the child in school or an informal zoom assessment at home. If the young person is not currently in a school placement, previous information from school or information from other professionals involved with thew young person can be used.
In order for a diagnosis to be made, a person will usually be assessed as having had difficulties in early childhood ie before age of 7 with their social communication and social interaction as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, interest or activities to the extent that the person is functionally impaired due to these difficulties.
Different diagnostic labels such as Classic Autism, Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, and PDDNOS have been used but nowadays with the introduction of DSM V these labels are generally replaced with Autism. The term Neurodivergence describes different "Neurotypes" and different ways of thinking and at our clinic we consider Autism in terms of the Neurodiversity Paradigm rather than the outdated pathology based model.
Other conditions such as ADHD, Tic disorders/ Tourette’s , anxiety, depression, OCD, sensory processing disorder and are known to be associated with Autism and we will look for indicators of these during our assessment.
Stages of assessment
1- Parent makes contact through our email. We aim to respond within five days to request completion of Parent Pre Clinic Questionnaire to provide background on the young person and School Questionnaire. It is important that these are completed as these help to guide as to whether an appointment would be of benefit for the young person/family and whether there is likely to be enough evidence to merit assessment. We will be able to give an idea of waiting times at this stage and once the forms are returned by email we can offer an appointment slot. We request payment by izettle link 48 hours before appointment and appointment is confirmed once this is received. You will be made aware of which team members you are seeing prior to appointment as well as all of the information on the assessment to help prepare the young person. the assessment on the day can take around 2 hours. We request that we are made aware of any cancellations within 24 hours of the appointment so this can be re-arranged.
2- We aim to give you our opinion on the day of assessment. If a diagnosis is made you will receive written documentation on the day whilst you are awaiting our detailed diagnostic report the draft copy of which we aim to have emailed password protected within 14 days. If a diagnosis is not made we aim to provide supportive advice and consideration of any other supports which may be needed.
Reading materials/useful information
www.autism.org.uk – The National Autistic Society with local branches provides useful information to families and individuals with ASD .There are local support groups, befriending schemes and lots of useful tips/strategies as well as National campaigns to support. There is now a new centre in Randalstown offering many services for children and adults.
www.autismni.org – Northern Ireland’s Autism charity. Support and training opportunities for parents and affected individuals. Lots of local events to support families as well as plenty of helpful advice and sign posting to other services.
www.middletownautism.com – helpful advice, courses and training for parents and professionals with online learning and excellent resources for parents of teenagers with ASD covering issues such as transitions, puberty, sexuality and mental health.
www.livingwellwithautism.com - sensible advice for parents and young people with ASD in an easy to digest format.
www.wrongplanet.net – fun and informative website on Asperger Syndrome for parents and young people.
www.senac.co.uk – Advice and information for parents on educational issues and statementing.
Uniquely human – A different way of seeing Autism by Barry M Prizant – A lovely down to earth book about the realities of ASD but also looking towards considering ASD as neurodiversity and the strengths related to it – with heart warming extracts from real cases.
Neurotribes- Steve Silberman- the legacy of Autism and the future of Neurodiversity. A big book!! But a wonderful and worthwhile read on the history of Autism and the champions who uncovered its meaning as well as the outlook for the future. A positive read also for those older patient’s of ours who are very capable and could benefit from being told about the positives of ASD.
Dr Pooky Knightsmith- Self-Harm how to support your child, Mentally Healthy Schools work book and Things I got wrong so you don't have to looking at burnout.
BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH ASD
Aspergirls, Rudy Simone – with advice and support from Females with ASD including Rudy as well as advice for Parents. This is a lovely positive book.
Dr Pooky Knightsmith - Cards Against Anxiety
Freaks,Geeks and Asperger’s syndrome, Luke Jackson
The reason I jump, Naoki Higashida
Mind maps for kids, Tony Buzan
I am Aspiengirl – Tania Marshall – mostly pictures and short paragraphs so lovely for younger girls
All of these books can be purchased on www.amazon.co.uk