Autism a General Guide
Date issued: October 2020
For review: October 2022
Ref: D-325/KB/Learning Disability Team/Autism a general guide
PDF: Autism a General Guide [pdf] 435KB
Derriford Hospital
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is the largest hospital in the south west, to provide excellent care, with compassion, wrapped around people’s individual needs by focusing on the principles that underpin everything we do and should be reflected in our decision making behaviour.
Derriford Autism Service
Our service is in place to offer individuals on the Autistic Spectrum a better experience when accessing hospital services; it is a pilot scheme until March 2021 and is for individuals with Autism who do not have a Learning Disability. (Adults with Autism who also have a Learning Disability will continue to have support from the Learning Disability Team). The aim of the service is to provide advice and tools for patients who are autistic which they can utilise, to inform staff responsible for their care of their specific needs and any Reasonable Adjustments that would help to improve their care outcomes and to provide advice to staff who are caring for patients who are on the Autistic Spectrum.
Contact: Telephone: 01752 432134
Email: plh-tr.derrifordautismservice@nhs.net
URL: www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/autism-service
Resources for Individuals and in the community
Resources provided by the Derriford Autism Service
- Reasonable Adjustment form
- Hospital Passport for people with Autism
- Autism alert on hospital system
To request a copy of these resources to complete and support your experience within the hospital, please contact The Derriford Autism Service
The things that I need to bring with me to hospital to support my stay may include
- Headphones/Earphones
- Hospital Passport
- Reasonable adjustment form
- Eye mask/Sunglasses
- Weighted blanket
- A small fan
- Someone with me
- Fidget toys
- An activity
- Ear plugs
Other useful resources
- Devon and Cornwall Police Autism card
- Autism card (National Autistic Society)
For services and resources outside of the Plymouth area, please contact the Derriford Autism Service
Autism support in Plymouth
Plymouth Autism Spectrum Service (P.A.S.S)
A post-diagnostic support service for adults with Autism Providing advice and specialist training
- Telephone: 01752 434033
- Website: www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/plymouth-autism-spectrum-service
- Email: livewell.pass@nhs.net
Working Well With Autism: support adults with autism who need help within their workplace or educational setting or prospective work place or educational setting
- Telephone: 01752 283953
- Website: workingwellwithautism.org/
- Email: info@workingwellwithautism.org
National Autistic Society Plymouth Adult Asperger's Branch (NASPAAB) run by volunteers and offers support to adults with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism
- Telephone: 0808 800 4104
- Website: www.nasplymouthadultaspergersbranch.webeden.co.uk
- Email: nasplymouthadultaspergersbranch@nas.org.uk
Plymouth Outreach Service: delivers a person centred engagement package to people with autism and Asperger's in the local area
- Telephone: 01752 764 821
- Website: www.autism.org.uk
- Email: sw.services@nas.org.uk
For further information about Autism and hospital services, please visit the website:
https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/autismservice
