The resources below are to support families and carers.

• They are for children and young people waiting for their social communication needs to be assessed. This includes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Please note: Open Minds and the assessment process only applies to children aged five and above (at referral).
• Referrals for autism assessment for children aged under five years must be made by a paediatrician. This will be to the Pre-school Complex Communication Assessment Team, based at Rainbow Child Development Service, Calderdale Royal Hospital. If your child is currently not known to a paediatrician, but you wish them to be referred, please speak to:
  • your GP;
  • or speech and language therapist.

Resource sheets cover common themes, questions and behaviours that can be seen in children and young people waiting for assessment.

We know some families will get a diagnosis of Autism and others will not. So, we have aimed the resources at common themes of social communication issues and not just Autism.

We also want to keep these resources as up to date as possible. If you know of a resource that would useful or want to give feedback, please email: local.offer@calderdale.gov.uk.

For information on the different names for autism, related conditions and more (including current research), visit: National Autistic Society Website .

The local branch of the NAS is run by volunteers. It offers peer support and the chance to meet and take part in activities. For more details, visit: NAS Calderdale Branch .

• Local Offer Overview Flyer [PDF 25KB].
• Calderdale Autism Assessment Flowchart [PDF 140KB].
• Open Minds Support for families on the ND waiting list [PDF 160KB].
• Calderdale Open Minds Partnership CAMHS [PDF 94KB].
• Children and Young Peoples Guide to the Autism Process [PDF 1004KB].
• Improving care for people with autism spectrum disorders in Calderdale.
• ASD Frequently Asked Questions.

Information Resource Factsheets

• Anxiety [PDF 171KB].
• Behaviour [PDF 189KB].
• Different behaviour between school and home [PDF 159KB].
• Meltdowns [PDF 179KB].
• Obsessions, repetitive behaviour and routines [PDF 199KB].
• Preparing for change [PDF 171KB].
• Sensory differences [PDF 186KB].

Local resource Factsheets

• Calderdale: Factsheet Meeting sensory needs at a universal level – practical suggestions for the parent and professional [PDF 93KB].
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Calderdale [PDF 252KB].
• EISA: Early Intervention Single Assessment [PDF 411KB].
• Family Voice Calderdale: improving services [PDF 1044KB].
• Local Offer [PDF 227KB].
• Unique Ways: supporting families with disabled children [PDF 318KB].

Useful links

• Unique Ways. Informal and friendly sessions for all parents whose children are on the waiting list for an ASD assessment in Calderdale. Focussed discussions are facilitated by an invited guest or your local ASD Champion.
• Calderdale’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service Guide For Families. This service guide has been written by parents and professionals working together. It has been developed to support families whose children and young people are experiencing emotional health and wellbeing difficulties.
• Assessment and diagnosis of autism: what to expect. A quick guide from NICE and SCIE for young people and their families. It will help to understand what they can expect from the autism assessment process and what should happen if an autism diagnosis is confirmed.
• Sensory integration. The SI Network (UK & Ireland) is a not-for-profit organisation, promoting education, good practice and research into the theory and practice of Ayres’ Sensory Integration.
• Autism Education Trust . Information for parents/carers and all educational settings from early years to post 16.