Together achieving better decisions and brighter futures for Manchester families of children and young people aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

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What is Autism?

According to the National Autistic Society (NAS):

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.

Autism is a spectrum condition. All autistic people share certain difficulties, but being autistic will affect them in different ways.

Other Names for Autism

Different labels have historically been used to diagnose autism:

– autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
– autism spectrum condition (ASC)
– classic autism
– Kanner autism
– pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)
– high-functioning autism (HFA)
– Asperger syndrome
– Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)

This reflects the different diagnostic manuals and tools used, and the different autism profiles presented by individuals.

Read more at the NAS website.

If you want to know more about the autism diagnostic pathway – called the Social Communication Pathway (SCP) – in Manchester, please visit http://manchesterparentcarerforum.org.uk/social-communication-pathway-faqs/.

Below are some of our articles relating to autism:

Autism and Sensory Differences Post-Diagnostic Workshop

This workshop aims to impart parents and carers with information about sensory differences amongst neurodiverse people.

Autism and Well-being Post-Diagnostic Workshop

This workshop aims to impart parents and carers with information about autism and what it could mean for your child/family + what support is available.

Autism Acceptance Cinema Screening – “Life, Animated”

We have now opened this event to all families of autistic and neurodivergent (ND) children and young people. If you are ND yourself or you have an autistic/neurodivergent child or young person in the family, we'd love to enjoy the movie with you on

What Does Autism Mean to You?

We have now opened this activity to all families of autistic children and young people, plus we extended the deadline to 9pm on Sunday, 14 April. If you are autistic yourself or you have an autistic child/ young person in the family, please feel

World Autism Acceptance Week Film Screening (for Parents)

To celebrate World Autism Acceptance Week*, we will be holding a FREE film screening session on Tuesday, 16 April, exclusively for parents/carers of autistic and neurodivergent children and young people who go to one of Manchester's Autism in Schools (AiS) schools**. We would like

Understanding and Working with the Education System: Workshop for Parents/Carers (Primary)

This workshop provides parents with information about the educational and support needs of autistic children.

SCP Communication Workshop for Parents/Carers (Primary)

This workshop aims to impart parents with language and communication strategies to use with their children.

SCP Sensory Workshop for Parents/Carers (Primary)

This workshop aims to impart parents and carers with information about autism and what it could mean for your child/family + what support is available.

SCP Autism and Well-being Post-Diagnostic Workshop for Parents/Carers (Primary)

This workshop aims to impart parents and carers with information about autism and what it could mean for your child/family + what support is available.

Understanding and Working with the Education System: Workshop for Parents/Carers (Secondary)

This workshop provides parents with information about the educational and support needs of autistic children and young people.