Salford Autistic Spectrum Conditions Forum

15/10/2026

Learning so much today at the Neurodiversity in the Workplace event.

14/10/2026

I would just like to welcome our new followers.
Thanks for joining us and I hope you find the page useful.

Please feel free to reach out if there is any information or interaction you would like to see here and I will do my best to add it.

14/10/2026

Did you know OCD-UK have published guidelines for practitioners supporting autistic people?

OCD and autism can look almost identical from the outside. The reasons behind them could not be more different.

Tapping, counting, ordering, repeating. When a professional sees these, the first question needs to be: is this bringing comfort, or is it driven by a thought this person cannot get free of?

OCD obsessions are intrusive and persistent, and they cause real distress. The compulsions are an attempt to get relief from fear.

Autistic routines and rituals often do the opposite. They bring calm, they help with processing, and they make the world navigable. Taking them away isn't treatment. It makes things harder.

Autistic people are also more likely to be diagnosed with OCD, so this distinction matters a lot for our community. And it's still missed in clinical settings, sometimes for years.

If your daughter is receiving (or waiting for) support for OCD, it's worth asking her care team whether they understand this difference, and whether any support being offered has been properly adapted for autistic people. OCD-UK has published guidance on exactly this, so it's good to know it's there.

You shouldn't have to fight for treatment that fits how her brain works. But knowing the difference is a start.

14/10/2026

Gaddum are hosting a Halloween event for carers and their families.

Salford carers: join us for Halloween celebrations next week! 🎃

22nd October
Langworthy Cornerstone, Salford
5pm - 8pm
All ages welcome!

We’ll start the evening with a guided ghost walk, before we head back for refreshments and a range of Halloween‑themed activities, suitable for all ages and bravery levels!

Expect plenty of laughs and a warm, welcoming space to enjoy the season with other carers and family members.

Dress up if you fancy! Or just come as you are 👻

Please email [email protected] to book your place.

14/10/2026

Interested in how Autism and ADHD interact for people with AuDHD?
Hear Alexis's experiences through Autism Autism Central

There's a lot of 'tug of war' between autism and ADHD.

🌊 Intense autistic focus vs. ADHD restlessness

🥳 ADHD loving parties, but autism needing quiet time

📆 ADHD needing constant spontaneity, while autism needs routine

We're told this is an 'internal conflict', but really, the person isn't the problem. The problem is the problem.

This is what Alexis Quinn says in this video about the AuDHD tug of war and what things we can do to find balance.

You can watch Alexis' video on our Autism Central YouTube, and don't forget our channel is always here for helpful videos created for families and support networks of autistic people of all ages.

It's full of accessible guidance from lived experience experts and researchers who give practical ideas and trustworthy information.

Take a look: https://orlo.uk/6keC0

12/10/2026

Salford Parent Carer Forum would like to invite you to a Parent Assembly.

Tuesday 13th October
6.30pm
Microsoft Teams (ink in the original post).

*PARENT ASSEMBLY - THIS TUESDAY - 6.30pm*

Come and meet SIASS (Salford Information Advice & Support Service, here what the do, how youy can get support, and what your childs rights are when it comes to their education.
This is an opportunity to ask questions and hear more about what the team do to support families.
It is a really informal session, feel free to join, keep cameras on or off, or put questions in the chat. If you want you eamil us your questions, we can make sure they get answered.
See you there
SalfordPCF


Click here to join the meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/361850368674892?p=C5ATYxMTmPuJdzmJo4

08/10/2026

Salford Health Improvement, who have already been supporting the Spectrum Group for families of autistic children and young people, are starting a new group for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent adults. No diagnosis is necessary.

- It is called Spectrum Connection.
- It is at The Energise Centre in Douglas Green.
- If you use the bus, the 52 takes you right outside the door and the 74 drops you off on Langley Road South – a 2 minute walk away.
- It will be on the first Friday of every month – starting on Friday 6th November.
- It starts at 1pm.

08/10/2026

Thanks James for sharing your story of how Beyond Empower has helped you.
They can help you too.

08/10/2026

The Greater Manchester Autism Consortium has a lot of resources on their website - some new ones, so even if you ahve looked before why not visit and see what is available that could help you, or someone you support.

Everything you need about autism and more.