Social Communication and Autism Support - Communication Interaction Team
The Council's Communication Interaction Team provides support for young people who struggle with social communication or who might have Autism.
Contacts details
26 West Hoe Road
PL1 3BJ
Communication is more than just the words we say to each other. Children with social communication difficulties may struggle with interacting with other people, switching their attention between people and activities, understanding and using eye contact, facial expressions, body language and listening and paying attention to the world and people around them.
Children with social communication difficulties may struggle with:
- Interacting with other people
- Switching their attention between people and activities
- Understanding and using eye contact, facial expressions, body language
- Listening and paying attention to the world and people around them
Some children with social communication difficulties may have a diagnosis of Autism.
What is Autism?
Autism is a lifelong developmental condition. It is sometimes referred to as an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC). The word spectrum is used because, while all people with autism share key areas of difference or challenge, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people can manage well with relatively little support, whilst others will require a lifetime of specialist support.
The main areas of difference or challenge which all people with autism share are:
- Difference or challenge with social communication
- Difference or challenge with social interaction
- Difference or challenge with social imagination or the ability to think flexibly.
- Difference or challenge with how sensory experiences are processed.
How to request advice and support
To access our services, a Request More Help form will need to be completed. This usually follows a consultation between the CIT link person assigned to the school and the Special Educational Needs Coordinator at the school. Find out how to get in touch with us.
Resources to support social communication and/or autism
Parents and carers
- Transition from Early Years to School (PDF, 453 KB)
- Big Hopes Big Future - Getting Ready for School (PDF, 158 KB)
- Transition from Primary School to Secondary School (PDF, 297 KB)
- Moving On - Poster for Pupils (PDF, 407 KB)
- Moving On - Top Tips for Pupils Moving On To Secondary School (PDF, 2 MB)
- Transition from Early Years to School (PDF, 296 KB)
- National Autistic Society - read more about advice and support that can help during key life transitions.
Professionals and settings
- Girls and Autism: Flying under the radar
- The Autism Education Trust is a not for profit organisation led by two national autism charities - National Autistic Society (autism.org.uk) and Ambitious about Autism. Learn more about what AET do by watching their what we do video on YouTube
- Amazing Things Happen - by Alexander Amelines is a short film giving an introduction to autism for young non-autistic audiences, aiming to raise awareness, understanding and tolerance in future generations.
- Why Autism is a Difference, not a Deficit is a short video from AET to champion a world where being different is something to be celebrated.
- Masking - a quick guide (PDF, 431 KB)
- A guide to writing Social Stories (PDF, 490 KB)
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Plymouth uses an orange 'Local Offer icon' to show services that define themselves as suitable for children and young people with SEND. These are part of Plymouth's SEND Local Offer. We recommend that you contact the service provider to make sure the service is suitable for your child or young person.
- 0 to 1 years old
- 5 to 11 years old
- 12 to 16 years old
- 17 to 25 years old
- Autism
- Learning disabilities
- Physical disabilities
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