Autism intensive service

Children can be referred to the Autism Intensive Service if they are:

• aged 0-18 years
• have a diagnosis of autism
• do not have a moderate or severe learning disability
• presenting with levels of challenging behaviour that places them at risk of home/school breakdown and/or social exclusion and a Tier 4 admission
• working with CAMHS/Social Care and these have been evidenced to be insufficient and/or ineffective

AIS works across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire area. Referrals can be made by CAMHS /Social Care or other professionals in the child’s network.

How we respond to our internal world is key to human wellbeing, which is what the research literature - and our personal experiences - tell us. When we resist or try to control and avoid difficult feelings like fear, anxiety or scary thoughts, then we can end up digging ourselves into a hole. In this hole, life is smaller and less fun. When we open up to our inner thoughts, feelings and sensations (the good and the bad), then we are more able to get on with the life we want to be living. This is not always easy to do, but when we manage it then we are less held back by our worries, fears, thoughts, and emotions. 

Consider the feeling of anxiety, which is something everyone feels from time to time. If you are unwilling to feel anxious, then when it inevitably shows up in your life, it becomes something else to be anxious about. You will feel more anxious about your feeling anxiety, and this can lead to anxiety overwhelming us. It becomes a self-perpetuating process, which means the cycle continues. But if you are willing to have some anxiety, then while this might not be very nice, then at least you won’t feel any extra anxiety. All you will feel is the original anxiety in your body and it won’t feel worse. 

So how do we become more willing in the first place? Willingness is a skill that we can practice and improve on. This is an example of the type of skill we practice in our work with young people. 

What difference will it make? If you go on this journey with us, then we can guarantee that sometimes you will feel anxious and sometimes you will not. When your anxiety is low it will be low, and when it is high it will be high. Your anxiety will just vary according to what is happening in your life and it won’t be added to with further anxiety. 

Why does this matter? Because when you let your anxiety settle at whatever level it is at, then you are in a better place to be able to get on with the life you want to be living. 

CAMHS Bristol LD, Woodland View, Thornfield Road, Brentry, Bristol, BS10 6NB

Phone: 0117 354 6800      
Email: awpcamhsais@nhs.net