Autism
What is Autism?
Autism is a neurobiological difference. Autistic people experience differences with regard to interaction, social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests. They can often hyper focus on subjects that are interesting to them, this would appear to be restricted behaviour to non-autistic people.
These areas of difference are experienced by all autistic people to some extent, but their individual needs and the level of support required, may vary considerably. Some may have significant learning difficulties and find it difficult to communicate in the expected way, i.e. verbal communication. Whilst others have no obvious difficulty with language.
It is however, important to note that whilst we attribute speaking as the gold standard of communication, many non-speaking autistic people are very able to communicate very well using alternative methods of communication. The autism spectrum is not linear, and each individual autistic person will be unique as to where they may be within this spectrum and this can also change from day to day.
Ceredigion County Council’s Through Age Wellbeing Service can offer advice, signposting and Care and Support assessments, to Autistic people, those awaiting diagnosis, and their carers and families requiring support, based on their presenting needs.
To make contact please call Ceredigion County Council on 01545 570881 or by emailing clic@ceredigion.gov.uk.
A member of the team will refer you to our Triage Service Porth Gofal who will communicate with you by your preferred contact method, to discuss how we can help.
Information about diagnosis for adults
West Wales Integrated Autism Service is a specialist multi-disciplinary diagnostic service for adults with suspected Autism in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, and Pembrokeshire. Working within National Recommendations to provide a consistent service across Wales.
Diagnostic Assessments are conducted by Hywel Dda University Health board via the West Wales Integrated Autism Service.
The process begins following, a referral from a GP or health professional, or a self-referral.
Information about diagnosis for children
The Neurodevelopmental Service
The Neurodevelopmental Team are based in Building 1, St David’s Park, Carmarthen, SA31 3HB. Their telephone number is 01267 283077 or you can contact them by email on childASD.Referrals@wales.nhs.uk.
The Neurodevelopmental service is a specialist multi-disciplinary diagnostic service for children and young people up to the age of 18 with suspected Autism resident in Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDUHB) area, or registered with a HDUHB GP practice in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, or Pembrokeshire.
They work within National Recommendations to provide a consistent service across Wales.
The Neurodevelopmental Team accept referrals from a health professional known to the child or young person, with documented, informed parental consent or the young person’s consent, and clearly documented evidence highlighting concern associated with social communication, social interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviours.
