Autism

Autism is a life-long condition that affects a person’s ability to make sense of the world. It is known as an ASC (ASC) because it includes a wide range of differences

The Cheshire East Autism Team (CEAT)

CEAT (the Cheshire East Autism Team) recognise that this is a challenging time for parents/carers of children and young people with autism. We have placed a range of resources which we hope will be helpful on our website. If you have a question or an issue you would like to discuss with one of our team, you can email us on theautismteam@cheshireeast.gov.uk. Please let us know your name, your relationship to the child/young person, the child/young person’s age and the concern you have. We will then email you a response with some guidance and advice. If you would like a phone call then include your telephone number, but bear in mind that we are a small team and our ability to respond with individual phone calls will be dependent upon the level of demand.

Schools, parents/carers still have access to CEAT website which offers information about support groups, ideas, strategies and downloadable materials.

The CEAT are a small school-focused team of teaching and support staff with considerable experience and qualifications in the field of autism. They provide specialist support for children in years 1 to 13 attending Cheshire East schools via the School Consultation model.

A diagnosis is not needed for the team to become involved with a pupil, however as it is a school based service request, the school has a procedure to follow which is outlined in the One minute guide - Cheshire East Autism Team a guide for parents ( PDF, 185KB).

Once a school has identified a student as having social and communication differences, they will need to complete the CEAT consultation paperwork, including gaining parental consent.

The school will then attend scheduled CEAT meetings where strategies will be discussed and an action plan will be decided.

A decision will then be made for whether a school observation is needed. Discussions and model interventions (as required) will then take place with the child, family and school. Then a report or record of visits will be created outlining involvement and recommendation.

Further follow up visits and contacts as required will be provided.

The CEAT team offers:

a resource library situated within Sandbach Library, The Commons, Sandbach, CW11 1FJ. To book an appointment, please phone 01270 685960

The library contains literature about autism and related conditions as well as a variety of games, activities and resources which can be loaned to schools or individuals. The annual fee is £10 for an individual, £30 for a LEA school and £50 for other schools or organisations.