What is Autism?
Autism affects how people relate to, communicate with and interact with others and the world around them, and it is a lifelong developmental disability. All autistic people share certain difficulties but being autistic will affect them in different ways, hence autism being a spectrum condition that requires different levels of support for each person. The National Autistic Society provides further information about autism.
There are roughly 700,000 autistic people in the UK (more than 1 in 100). It is currently estimated that approximately 1% of the total population are diagnosed autistic. In Enfield, this equates to over 3,000 residents.
Support for carers of autistic people
Caring for someone can be both rewarding but challenging too.
In Enfield, it is important to know that there is support for carers. Enfield Carer’s Centre is a local charity providing information, advice, training and other support services to people looking after someone who lives in Enfield.
If you are providing unpaid essential care for an autistic adult, you have the right to have a Care Act Carers Assessment. Enfield Carer’s Centre also provides a Learning Difficulties and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Carers Support Group to enable carers to meet together, share experiences and support each other.
Here are more organisations in Enfield that support autistic children and young people, and their parents and carers:
One to One (Enfield) Autism Hub
A new Peer Support service for autistic adults and adults waiting for a diagnostic assessment for autism. The Enfield Autism Hub serves people aged 18 to 64 and living in Enfield.
They offer:
- Personalised guidance and signposting
- Help to develop support networks
- Advice on self-management skills and healthy coping mechanisms
- Help setting goals that promote overall mental and physical wellbeing
Enfield Adult Social Care
The Single Point of Access team is the first point of contact for an individual that requires information on support services available in Adult Social Care in Enfield.
We would speak to you about:
- your health or the person that you care for in which we would look at your condition, frailty or disability and how this affects your daily life
We will also look at your strengths and support network in order that we can understand:
- What tasks that you can do for yourself and tasks that you cannot do for yourself and need support with
- The support that that is currently available to you, such as support from your family, friends or neighbours and / or the voluntary or independent sector
- The support that other professional support is involved in your care is providing such as support via the NHS or other public bodies
From this we will work with you to help you to live as independently as possible and assist you to identify solutions so that you can be safely supported while helping you to retain as much of your independence and wellbeing.
If you have long term social care needs or more complex social care needs, we might have to carry out a more detailed assessment to identify how we are able to support you. We will look at your needs when you are at your best and in a familiar environment.
Based on our conversation with you, we will review your care and support need to decide if you qualify for support, against the national eligibility criteria and work out what we can do to support you.
Telephone: 020 8379 1001
Email: adultsocialcare@enfield.gov.uk
Make a referral to Enfield Adult Social Care
Requesting an autism diagnosis assessment
In order to access an autism assessment, you will need to speak with your GP for advice. Your GP can refer you for an assessment by autism specialists. For more information, visit NHS - How to get diagnosed.
Useful resources
- For a list of recommended websites and resources, visit the Enfield Advisory Service for Autism (EASA) - Resources
- The National Autistic Society is a valuable source of support and information for families living with autism with useful downloadable resources you can use when out and about. The downloadable resources include:
- An information sheet
- I am Autistic Card
- This Person is Autistic Card
- Enfield National Autistic Society is for local people living with autism or Asperger's, their families and carers
- Living with autism in Enfield video
- One to One (Enfield) aim to support people with autism to have better lives, speaking out about and taking part in all aspects of community life in Enfield
- NDTi - Preparing for adulthood provides expertise, support and resources
- My Health Passport helps people with autism communicate their needs to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals
- Enfield Council’s local offer for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and their families
Enfield’s All-age Autism Strategy 2023 to 2026
Enfield Council is developing an All-age Autism Strategy which will set out how we will work together with our partners to improve the lives of autistic people and their families and carers in the borough.
Further information, including a copy of the strategy will be provided here once this is agreed by the council.