Bolton – Children – Ages 16+

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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.

Pre-assessment

Any information or activity offered to parents as a pre-assessment service.

Early identification of need remains a crucial part of a diagnostic journey. In Bolton, our autism diagnosis process is called the Bolton Social Communication and Interaction Pathway (BSCIP). In Bolton we continue to commit to a multiagency pathway which is underpinned by the relevant diagnostic guidance we must follow. Within the multiagency team there are two main referral routes into the pathway. The first is usually through community paediatrics and looks at under 11s where there are concerns regarding their development or medical conditions. The second is through usually CAMHS who support over 11s often who may have other mental health conditions which can make it difficult to make a differential diagnosis (tease apart mental health and social communication and interaction needs). Autism Pathway in Bolton – SEND Local Offer

The diagnostic services

The lead professional may make referrals on to other agencies including Speech and Language Therapy, Behaviour Support Services, Ladywood Outreach or Educational psychology to help gather the information. The young person, parent or carer will be asked for their views. Referrals to the BSCIP panel are made by the lead professional for children and young people with a Bolton GP. BSCIP meetings aim to gather accurate information about your child’s social communication skills in terms of strengths as well as any difficulties they may be having. This is where professionals from a range of backgrounds come together to carefully consider the information received and think about the appropriate next step. Autism Pathway in Bolton – SEND Local Offer.

Post-diagnosis

Services / groups/ activities offered after diagnosis.

Post diagnostic support should be needs led. This means that if your child has been identified as requiring some additional support or Reasonable adjustments as part of the pathway, that this provision should be offered to them. This should happen whether you get a diagnosis of autism or not. In Bolton, there will be an individualised description of your child’s needs with signposting to appropriate services and support. For those diagnosed with autism, there is the following offer of post diagnostic support, these courses are developed by the National Autistic Society and delivered by trained Bolton practitioners: Autism Pathway in Bolton – SEND Local Offer.

Communication

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

The Speech and Language Therapy Service will assess, diagnose and develop an individualised programme of care to maximise the communication potential of the children and young people referred to them and under their care. Speech and Language Therapists work with children who may need help: Understanding what people say to them Listening and following instructions Playing and communicating with other children Understanding their environment Saying sounds and talking clearly Using words in sentences Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy – SEND Local Offer.

GM resources on communication

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’.

Educational Psychology Service - Our team of educational psychologists work mainly with children and young people aged 0-25 who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Educational psychologists use psychology to help children and young people with the development of learning, communication, physical and sensory needs, and social and emotional skills needed for adulthood/independence.
Educational psychologists – SEND Local Offer.
Marketplace Sensory Room – Bolton Council teamed up with Breaking Barriers (a specialist autism charity) to create this sensory place within the heart of Bolton.
The Market Place opens new sensory room for children | The Bolton News

GM resources on sensory

Physical Health & Co-occurring Conditions

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

Kidz2gether - Bolton based charity supporting children affected by autism and autistic spectrum disorders
Kidz2gether Bolton Children's Charity Autism Autistic ASD

Bolton CAMHS
Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Bolton | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT (gmmh.nhs.uk)

Breaking Barriers – a specialist Autism Charity in Bolton that assists autistic adults with a wide range of activities to promote health and wellbeing
Breaking Barriers NW Bolton Charity Disabled Autism

GM resources on physical health

Eating

Due to sensory differences, many autistic children/adults have preferences with eating.

Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Team – they assist with eating and drinking issues in children with diagnoses of various conditions including autism.
Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy

GM resources on eating

Understanding Behaviour

Some autistic children have difficulties with communication, sensory experiences and thinking styles. 

Bolton’s SEND Local Offer - Home – SEND Local Offer. 

Educational Psychology Service - Our team of educational psychologists work mainly with children and young people aged 0-25 who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Educational psychologists use psychology to help children and young people with the development of learning, communication, physical and sensory needs, and social and emotional skills needed for adulthood/independence. Educational psychologists – SEND Local Offer.

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

Bolton CAMHS - We are a service offering help for children and young people, usually between the ages of five and 18 who live in Bolton.
We work with children and young people to help them cope when they are having problems relating to how they feel, how they think about things and sometimes how they behave.
The team in CAMHS works with GPs, hospitals and other professionals, such as teachers, to assess, treat and support young people and children, and their parents or carers.
Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Bolton | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT (gmmh.nhs.uk)

Bekindtomymind is a Bolton campaign to help reduce the stigma around mental health. Our local message to children and young people who are struggling with their mental health is that "it's ok to talk!"

This website has resources for Parents/Carers, Young People and Professionals to access.
Be Kind To My Mind – Be Kind To My Mind is a Bolton campaign, developed by the Healthy Minds Youth Project and NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, to reduce the stigma and discrimination around mental health.

I Am  

Children and Young people 10 years + 
I Am, are grant funded service/charity that supports for those aged 10 years and above who have a diagnosis of Autism.

The service runs a range of co-ordinated activities and group sessions across Bolton and other areas of Greater Manchester.  Support is available by telephone or in person with a base in Trafford.

Costs for activities will apply.
About us - I AM (i-am-autism.org.uk)

Email:- enquiries@i-am-autism.org.uk

0161 866 8483

General Advice on Mental Health:

Advice on Mental health

Education

The information below relates to available services and support related to education where you live.

Bolton SEND Local Offer Home – SEND Local Offer 
Bolton SEND Autism Pathway - sendlocaloffer/autism-pathway-Bolton SEND Assessment Service Bolton SENDAS c/o School ICT, Smithills Dean Road, Bolton, BL1 6JT ea.sen@bolton.gov.uk 01204 331347

GM resources on education