Social Communication and Autism Support - Communication Interaction Team

Communication is more than just the words we say to each other. Children with social communication difficulties may struggle with interacting with other people, switching their attention between people and activities, understanding and using eye contact, facial expressions, body language and listening and paying attention to the world and people around them.

Children with social communication difficulties may struggle with:

• Interacting with other people
• Switching their attention between people and activities
• Understanding and using eye contact, facial expressions, body language
• Listening and paying attention to the world and people around them

Some children with social communication difficulties may have a diagnosis of Autism.

What is Autism?

Autism is a lifelong developmental condition.  It is sometimes referred to as an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).  The word spectrum is used because, while all people with autism share key areas of difference or challenge, their condition will affect them in different ways.  Some people can manage well with relatively little support, whilst others will require a lifetime of specialist support.   

The main areas of difference or challenge which all people with autism share are:

• Difference or challenge with social communication
• Difference or challenge with social interaction
• Difference or challenge with social imagination or the ability to think flexibly.
• Difference or challenge with how sensory experiences are processed.

How to request advice and support

To access our services, a Request More Help form will need to be completed. This usually follows a consultation between the CIT link person assigned to the school and the Special Educational Needs Coordinator at the school. Find out how to get in touch with us.

Resources to support social communication and/or autism 

Parents and carers

• Transition from Early Years to School (PDF) [453KB]
• Big Hopes Big Future - Getting Ready for School (PDF) [158KB]
• Transition from Primary School to Secondary School (PDF) [297KB]
• Moving On - Poster for Pupils (PDF) [407KB]
• Moving On - Top Tips for Pupils Moving On To Secondary School (PDF) [2MB]
• Transition from Early Years to School (PDF) [296KB]  
• National Autistic Society - read more about advice and support that can help during key life transitions.

Professionals and settings

• Girls and Autism: Flying under the radar
• The Autism Education Trust is a not for profit organisation led by two national autism charities - National Autistic Society (autism.org.uk) and Ambitious about Autism. Learn more about what AET do by watching their what we do video on YouTube
• Amazing Things Happen - by Alexander Amelines is a short film giving an introduction to autism for young non-autistic audiences, aiming to raise awareness, understanding and tolerance in future generations.
• Why Autism is a Difference, not a Deficit is a short video from AET to champion a world where being different is something to be celebrated.
• Masking - a quick guide (PDF) [431KB]
• A guide to writing Social Stories (PDF) [490KB]

Is the information correct?

Let us know if the information on this page is wrong and needs to be updated.

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