ASSIST Team (Autism Spectrum Service for Information Support and Training)

Aim of the Service:

The aim of the ASSIST service is to work in a proactive, supportive and preventative way with families and providers, so that autistic children and young people living in the Wokingham Borough can be the best they can be.

The approach to intervention is holistic, creative and directed by the needs of the individual and those around them. The service provides information, support and training to assist children and their families both pre and post diagnosis. 

A key aim of the service is to build capacity. ASSIST are always looking at ways to work with many to share knowledge and skills that enhance the understanding of autism.

Criteria: Who is this service best placed to support?

Universal

• Anyone who has an interest in autism or feels that the strategies shared might be useful is welcome to attend a Workshop.

Targeted

• Children up to 18 years old, with a diagnosis of autism or who are on the pathway for an autism assessment, who are resident in the Wokingham Borough.
• Parents or children with a diagnosis of autism or who are on the pathway for an autism assessment, who would like to attend parent programmes and drop-in sessions.
• Those living with, caring for or working with a child/young person diagnosed with autism, who following the need being identified through a formal assessment would benefit from focused support.

Referral Process:

Self-Referral – direct to the service

All people on the autism spectrum and their families can access universal services, information and support in relation to the condition of autism e.g. health and education services for all, post-diagnostic information, support groups and workshops.

Some people on the autism spectrum and their families would like more in-depth support to understand and manage autism within their family, school or leisure environment e.g. autism specific parent programmes and autism advice within meetings.

Full details of the support groups, workshops and parent programmes can be found on this web page.

Referral required - Via Duty Triage and Assessment

Referrals to ASSIST for focussed 1:1 support must be made via the Duty Triage and Assessment team (Also known as the Front Door). Phone (0118) 908 8002 Email:  triage@wokingham.gov.uk.

Professionals should complete a Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF)

A few people on the autism spectrum and their families will want and/or need focused work and intervention to enable the child/young person to continue living with their family or to enable the child/young person to stay at their current school.  Where identified through a formal assessment, ASSIST will either work directly or alongside others, analyse why there are difficulties and identify how adults can implement and support a positive outcome.

Transition toolkit

Transition toolkit – generated by a group of parents and practitioners, the toolkit aims to help and support the planning of a move from one setting to another. Each transition will be unique to the child, and the toolkit promotes (as an example) best practice guidance. It includes appropriate actions for parents and carers, and the professionals involved in the current setting and the new setting.