Type of service: Diagnostic services, Family support and information services, Interventions and therapies, Local groups, Training providers, Training providers

We work in a team with NHS Highland and voluntary agencies. We provide assessment, help and support for children and young people who may be affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.

We are committed to raising awareness of the needs of such children and their families and promoting more accepting and positive attitudes.

Our autism support centre provides a low stimulus environment for therapeutic work with children including a small gym, life skills kitchen, library and chill-out room. Family members are also welcome to make use of these facilities.

There is also a medium sized training and conference facility where the team deliver training to a broad range of agencies, professionals, parents and carers as well as children and young people.

We have the largest library on autism (external link) in the Highlands which is open every day from 10 am to 4 pm. Fill out a library membership form and come see our collection of DVDs, books and sensory items. We also work with High Life Highland to provide eBooks on autism (external link).

The conference and smaller case conference rooms are used by several agencies providing services to children and young people and their families.

Assessment procedure: Local assessment by multi-agency team which may include SALT, Community Paediatrics and Educational Psychology prior to referral to our Diagnostic team. Our service is a tertiary level clinic.

Follow up service: None directly but will arrange follow-up with locality teams.

Multi-disciplinary assessment: Yes. Paediatrics, Speech and Language Therapy, 2 posts for Clinical Psychology and Social Worker are currently vacant.

Aimed at: Child , Parent/carer of a child, Parent/carer of a young person, Professional, Young person

Gender: All genders

Referral Sources: NHS Only

Covers: Highland

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific

Other specialisms: Autism, Adoption and Fostering

Approaches and tools used: ADI, ADOS