Getting Help

It is worth talking to your GP or health visitor if you are concerned about your child’s speech and language, social interactions or eye contact, although they may just be developing at their own rate and there may be no cause for concern.

Also if your child is particularly resistant to change or finds new experiences extremely distressing – although all children are like this to some degree, children with autism can be very scared by new things.

They may also find noise, light, smells or tastes very overwhelming. Another indication is very repetitive play such as spinning objects or doing the same things over and over again.

If the health visitor or GP agree with your concerns, they will refer you to the local child development centre, where your child can be assessed and help and support offered.

 Autism is a lifelong condition and there is no cure. However, there are lots of ways in which people with autism can be helped to manage daily life and develop new skills.

Parents, school and other services will need to work together. Speech and language therapy and occupational therapy are some of the more common types of help offered. A child with autism will usually need extra help at school.