ASD in Children and Young People (CYP)
ASD, usually diagnosed in early childhood, affects a CYP’s communication, social interactions, behaviour and learning. ASD CYP may be hypersensitive to sensory stimuli and/or struggle to understand the subtleties of relating to other people. This makes life challenging for them as they may not pick up social cues, and so behave in ways that are considered to be socially unacceptable.
However, with early intervention, caregivers can better understand/support their autistic child, adapting the environment to meet the child’s needs, and ASD CYP can increase their chances of living more independently as they mature into adults.
- check whether the CYP has a preferred method of communication with others, (e.g., use of communication aids).
- make adjustments to accommodate sensory impairments - including vision and hearing.
- use different methods/formats for communication which are meaningful for the CYP (e.g., written words, signing, visual aids - pictures, symbols, and objects, practical demonstrations, gestures or verbal).
- give the CYP time to process information before they respond.
Assessing ASD in CYP
Assessment is based on patient history, taking into account the CYP’s communication needs, developmental stage, level of understanding, and severity and duration of features suggesting autism.
Conditions that may present with similar clinical features
Consider reviewing the CYP after a period of 'watchful waiting', if:
- activities of daily living are moderately limited or impaired by clinical features suggestive of autism and
- there is a low level of family/carer concern about the CYP, or the CYP, family members and/or carers decline referral.
Arrange referral following the period of 'watchful waiting' if new clinical features suggestive of autism develop, or there are ongoing concerns about a possible diagnosis of autism.
If the CYP, family members and/or carers continue to decline referral despite ongoing concerns, seek specialist advice.
Penrose Health Action Plan
⚠️ Safety netting
Always review any safeguarding concerns (see Child Safeguarding).
Should a safeguarding concern arise → discuss with senior (GP or clinical meeting) and/or safeguarding lead.
Where to refer
Click link for details on referring: CYP ASD Assessments and Diagnoses (Lambeth)
CYP ASD assessments and diagnoses are conducted by the Community Paediatric Team and the Lambeth Autism and Related Disorders Service (ARDS).
Where a young person is 17-18 they should be referred to 3 Borough ADHD and ASD Service
For initial diagnosis: Southwark CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Service (NDS)
For CYP who already have a diagnosis of ASD but need extra help (e.g., speech therapy, physiotherapy, etc.): Community Paediatrics (Southwark)
Click link for details on referring: Lewisham Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
What to do while awaiting specialist assessment
While a CYP is waiting for a service to consider a diagnosis, help can still be obtained from charities, health services, family support groups and the Local Authority; having no specific diagnosis should not stop CYP from receiving advice/support as needed.
Many parents, particularly of under 12 year old children, would benefit from attending a parenting group → consider referring to Early Help prior to assessment for ADHD.
- Lambeth: Children’s Social Care Lambeth
- Southwark: Early Help CAMHS (EHCAMHS)
Extra Support
Below are some services to which you can signpost patients for extra support. More services can be found on the Penrose Portal in Mental Health Services Database.