Wigan – Adults

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Assessment

The list below shows you what services are available depending on where you are in your assessment journey. Whether you suspect you/your child may be Autistic, you are awaiting a formal diagnostic assessment, or you may recently have had such an assessment, there is a service to help.

The diagnostic service.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Service | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT

Post-diagnosis

Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Service | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT

Communication

Autistic people often have some communication differences. The resource below offer some general advice:

Speech and Language Therapy – Wigan.
Speech and language therapy for autism

GM resources on communication

Sleep

Sleep difficulties are very common for autistic children. Not only can this have a massive impact on the autistic child, but it can impact parents, carers and other family members.

GM resources on sleep

Sensory

Autistic people often experience their senses differently and understanding this can be the key to supporting the autistic person to self-regulate and understand themselves better: Here are some useful resources about sensory needs and differences.

Sensory Spaces - Embrace

GM resources on sensory

Some autistic children have difficulties with communication, sensory experiences and thinking styles. This may lead to stress and anxiety related behaviour from the autistic child. Services below can support parents and carers with these The Health and Wellbeing College – A range of courses covering a variety of topics including behaviours and communication.

Physical Health & Co-occurring Condition

Autistic children/adults may also develop a few co-occurring health issues. These may be physical or mental health conditions.

We offer a whole range of fun, inclusive and accessible experiences for people with disabilities and their families. Our sessions take place across the borough in accessible locations, providing participants with the chance to become more active, learn exciting new skills and, in some cases, enjoy competitive sports.

Be Well – Leisure and wellbeing services

Improved Physical health page

Wigan Warriors Community Foundation is committed to improving participation and activity levels in under-represented groups. We’re focusing investment into projects that target and support groups and communities who have faced barriers in terms of participation.

Inclusion – Wigan Warriors

Leigh Leopards – creating a safe and inclusive environment where all players can thrive and reach their full potential.

PDRL/LDRL | LCT

GM resources on physical health

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Some autistic adolescents may experience co-occurring mental health conditions. The information below lists support available where you live in relation to mental health and well-being support.

Wigan Council Website – Mental health, Support page.

Mental health and wellbeing

General Advice on Mental Health:

Advice on Mental health

Employment

Some autistic people need support to access employment. Below are some services that may be available locally.

Autism Friends Employability Group Get support from Job Centre staff around finding volunteering opportunities or paid work, identifying Reasonable adjustments, benefit guidance and employability skills.

Community – Autism Friendly

Jobs, careers and skills

An apprenticeship is when you’re employed to do a real job while studying for a formal qualification. It can last between 1 and 5 years, depending on the level of apprenticeship.

As an apprentice you’ll have a proper job within a proper company, receiving practical ‘on the job’ training to develop job-specific skills. At the same time, you will also study towards nationally recognised qualifications, and time out of the workplace will be provided to complete this.

Apprenticeships can range from a Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE’s) through to Level 7 (equivalent to a Masters degree) and are available to anyone of working age, not just for young people. There’s scope to undertake an apprenticeship whatever the stage of your career.

Apprenticeships

Aspiring Futures – employment and skills service for young people aged 16-19 (and up to 25 for those with learning difficulties and disabilities) in Wigan borough. We offer support to those who are not in employment, education, or training, helping them make a decision on what they want to do and find opportunities.

Aspiring Futures: Careers | Be Wigan | Services for Schools

Adult Learning and Skills – service aims to provide learning that changes lives across the borough.

Adult Learning and Skills

Wigan Borough Volunteering Hub.

Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you can do and thinking about how you would like to benefit from volunteering is a great start to finding the opportunity right for you.

Wigan borough volunteer hub

At Wigan Council we understand the importance of providing valuable opportunities for our residents to gain hands-on, work experience and develop essential skills for their future careers. Here you will find an overview of the variety of opportunities currently available across the council and how to express an interest in these.

Work experience at Wigan Council

Supported Employment Service offers a comprehensive package of advice, guidance, and support to both the employer and prospective employee. This includes accurately matching the right person to the right job, conducting employee specific risk assessments in the workplace, practical one to one support and, where required, specialised instruction for the employee to be trained to carry out the tasks of the job to meet the expectations of the employer.

Supported Employment Service

DWP – Information about universal credit, jobseekers’ allowance and other benefits, and information about finding work.

Contact Jobcentre Plus

GM resources on employment

Rights & Entitlement

Listed below are some support services available for autistic people who need support with understanding their rights and entitlement.

Advocacy Someone to speak on my behalf (advocacy) Embrace Wigan & Leigh provide advocacy for adults with care and support needs. We try to make sure that peoples’ wishes, feelings and needs are heard.

-Care Act Advocacy.
-Parental Advocacy for parents who have a Learning disability (going through proceedings)
-General Adult Advocacy.

Referral Route – Adult – Embrace

Family Welfare – Independent Mental Health Advocate.

IMHA – Family Welfare

Family Welfare – Independent mental capacity Advocate.

IMHA – Family Welfare