Spectrum

About Spectrum

Spectrum is a free, county-wide service that helps autistic children and young people aged 5–18 to access activities in their local community, develop their independence and build confidence. Spectrum is part of Communication, Learning and Autism Support Service (CLASS).

Spectrum support

Spectrum provides practical support packages to enable autistic children and young people to achieve the best outcomes for their future and have the same opportunities as their peers.

Spectrum practitioners work with parents and carers to understand their child’s specific needs. Parents will identify a specific Spectrum Award and Spectrum will develop a package that they feel will support the child or young person. Spectrum Awards are provided over 6 weeks, and each child or young person will receive a Spectrum Award certificate as a record of their achievements.

Spectrum Awards

Friendships and Social Experiences:

• Making, maintaining and repairing friendships
• Exploring social experiences
• Building positive relationships
• Self-awareness
• Social meet-ups

Independence:

• Travel training for secondary school or college
• Travel training in my community
• Using money
• Keeping safe in my community
• Building my self confidence

Identify and Self-Care:

• Health and hygiene
• Healthy routines
• Understanding change, including in my body
• Social media and safety online
• Understanding myself and my identity

Exploring Emotions

• Understanding my emotions
• Exploring my emotions through Drawing and Talking, a none directed technique for children and young people that allows them to explore their emotions.
• Self-awareness and awareness of others
• Exploring my anxieties and worries

The support provided during Spectrum Award sessions will enable the child or young person to make the next steps in a specific area and will act as a starting point for them to continue to develop beyond Spectrum support.

To make a referral for one of the above Spectrum Awards, please use our referral form:

• Spectrum referral form | East Sussex County Council

Inclusive activities

Spectrum believe that and young people have opportunity to access their local community and clubs. Spectrum provide information and support on inclusive activities in East Sussex.

If you would like information on clubs and community activities, please fill out our Clubs & Community information referral form.

• Spectrum referral form | East Sussex County Council

Additional information

Spectrum is not a mental health provider and practitioners do not hold the appropriate clinical expertise or qualifications to directly address mental health needs. Where a parent has specific concerns with their child around mental health, we would recommend that they first contact their school SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) who can provide or signpost on to appropriate support.

Spectrum can provide Club and Community information to all families and young people within East Sussex. However, Spectrum are not able to provide Spectrum Awards support to children where the parents have elected to home educate.

Spectrum currently operates a waiting list.

For more information, read the Spectrum service terms and conditions.