Information about being autistic in childhood
Information to help if you or someone you care about is autistic or might be autistic.
Autism is where your brain develops differently to non-autistic people. It is not an illness or disease and there is no cure.
It’s something you’re born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you’re very young, or not until you’re older.
If you’re autistic, you’re autistic your whole life. Everyone is different and being autistic affects people in different ways.
Autistic people have varying needs from 24-hour care to simply needing clearer communication and a little longer to do things.
The NHS website has useful information for people who are or may be autistic and may need support.
What is needs-led support?
Support is available to help young people with what they are struggling with without having to wait for an assessment. For example, sleep or behaviour.
We call this being needs-led. It means children and young people can be supported without a diagnosis, or pre-diagnosis.
While we provide assessments, much of the local support available is offered outside of our trust.
You can read more about this in the section about local support and information about assessments (further down this page).
Local support and information about assessments
Aged 5 or under? In County Durham we complete assessments. In other areas, assessments are mainly completed by paediatric colleagues at acute hospital trusts.
Aged 17 or older? You may be assessed in our adult services.
We provide autism assessments across Durham, Teesside, York and Selby.
In parts of North Yorkshire, autism assessments are done by acute hospital trusts or BeU.
You can find information specific to your local area below.
County Durham
Our CAMHS teams complete autism assessments. Support and assessments for autism and ADHD in County Durham
Stockton on Tees
Our CAMHS teams complete autism assessments. Support and assessments for autism and ADHD in Stockton on Tees
Darlington
Our CAMHS teams complete autism assessments. Support and assessments for autism and ADHD in Darlington
Redcar and Cleveland
Our CAMHS teams complete autism assessments. Support and assessments for autism and ADHD in Redcar and Cleveland
Hartlepool
Our CAMHS teams complete autism assessments. Support and assessments for autism and ADHD in Hartlepool
Middlesbrough
Our CAMHS teams complete autism assessments. Support and assessments for autism and ADHD in Middlesbrough
Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire
In Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire paediatric colleagues complete autism assessments at acute hospital trusts. Read more about the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust’s Children’s Autism Assessment Service.
Scarborough
BeU completes autism assessments. They also provide a range of information and support.
Useful links
- YoungMinds
- Royal College of Psychiatrists Young People’s Mental Health
- National Autistic Society
- North Yorkshire, York and Selby The Go-To for Emotional wellbeing and mental health
- North East and North Cumbria Healthier Together
