New website to help Mansfield and Ashfield children with autism

The community paediatric website has been launched by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs King’s Mill Hospital in Sutton and Mansfield Community Hospital.

It is presented in child-friendly language, with suitable graphics, and is part of a wider hospital service to provide support and advice to anyone affected by autism, a condition that makes communication, social interaction and forming relationships difficult. The service also includes books, leaflets and information from Sherwood Forest’s library service.

“The website focuses on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the moment, but our aim is expand this to other common conditions seen by our community paediatric department,” said specialist autism nurse Tracey Jevons, who developed the idea and won funding.

“The department, with the support of the library team, has been working to raise the profile of our service and help young people, their families and professionals, giving them access to support services and information.”

The website was unveiled during an information session with special educational needs co-ordinators from schools across Nottinghamshire.