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)

BECOME A MEMBER

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:

The Early Years Social Communication Pathway

The Early Years Social Communication Pathway (EY SCP) introduces a new team assessing for autism in Early Years children (aged up to 5 years) in South Manchester. It is a pilot project with an aim to find child-friendly efficient ways to complete the assessment and

By |2023-05-05T18:28:07+01:00May 5th, 2023|Categories: Information Sharing|Tags: , , , , |
Read More

Autism Navigator Job Opening

There is a new job opening in Manchester for an Autism Navigator role - and people with lived experience of autism and/or neurodivergence are strongly urged to apply! The Autism Navigator will support families and young people who are currently on the waiting list for

By |2023-04-27T10:58:02+01:00April 27th, 2023|Categories: Information Sharing|Tags: , , , , |
Read More

“Understanding Autism” Workshop for Parents/Carers

"Understanding Autism" is the introductory module for the series of training sessions that are being developed as part of the Autism in Schools (AiS) project in Greater Manchester. This workshop aims to help parents/carers of autistic children and young people to learn more about

By |2023-04-17T11:58:51+01:00April 20th, 2023|Categories: , , |Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
Read More

Parent/Carer Workshop to Develop Training for a Residential Care Service

Dr. Michelle Hacking from Kingfisher Psychology is looking to create some training for a residential care service for children with learning disabilities and/or autism. To do this, she would like to work with a small group of parents and carers who can participate in a

By |2023-02-10T14:59:40+00:00March 6th, 2023|Categories: , |Tags: , , , , |
Read More

Get Involved: Parent/Carer Workshop to Develop Training for a Residential Care Service

Hello everyone! I am a Clinical Psychologist who previously worked for the Clinical Service for Children with Disabilities in Manchester. I now work independently and would like to create some training for a residential care service for children with learning disabilities and/or autism. I

By |2023-02-10T14:28:59+00:00February 5th, 2023|Categories: Events, Get Involved|Tags: , , , , |
Read More

Q&A Regarding the Social Communication Pathway

We are aware that many parents and carers have questions or concerns following the recent changes to the referral system for Manchester's Social Communication Pathway (SCP). This Question-and-Answer (Q&A) session is an opportunity for parents and carers to ask questions about the newly updated

By |2022-06-14T19:09:56+01:00June 21st, 2022|Categories: |Tags: , , , , |
Read More

Important Changes to Referrals for the Social Communication Pathway

Please see below a letter explaining some changes to the Social Communication Pathway (SCP) referral process. In summary, the changes are: For Early Years children (aged 3 to 5): The SCP will only accept referrals for those who have had exposure to community group

By |2022-06-10T18:00:27+01:00June 10th, 2022|Categories: Information Sharing|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
Read More

GM Autism Hub – Consultation with Manchester Parents/Carers

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) have been awarded the role of lead provider around Autism for Greater Manchester (GM). As part of this development, the four diagnostic teams, community learning disability team in CAMHS and the new Intensive Support Team are to be

By |2022-05-18T13:42:53+01:00May 27th, 2022|Categories: , , |Tags: , , , , , , |
Read More

GMAC Sensory Needs Parent Seminar

This Understanding Sensory Needs parent seminar will be delivered by facilitators from Greater Manchester Autism Consortium. The workshop will cover: sensory processing sensory processing differences in children with autism the senses in detail helping your child with their sensory needs This is a free seminar

By |2022-04-28T14:46:11+01:00May 26th, 2022|Categories: , |Tags: , , , , , |
Read More

Autism and Education – Online Post-Diagnostic Groups for Parents/Carers

Educational Psychologists from One Education in Manchester are running free live online half-day training sessions for parents/carers whose children have received an autism diagnosis from one of the following centres over the last two years. The Powerhouse - North and Central Manchester Social Communication Pathway

By |2022-05-14T12:21:31+01:00May 19th, 2022|Categories: , |Tags: , , , , , |
Read More

Manchester Parent Carer Forum is a group of parents and carers of disabled children who work with Manchester Local Authorities, Education Settings, Health Providers and other providers to make sure the services they plan and deliver meet the needs of disabled children and young people (0-25 years), as well as their families, in Manchester.

We have a steering group of parent and carer volunteers who lead this work and listen to the views of other parents and carers in the local area to make sure they know what is important to them.

MORE ABOUT MPCF