PUNCH (Picking Up the Needs of Children while still young) is a unique project which aims to speed up the assessment process for autism spectrum conditions (ASC). The project builds on a feasibility study conducted in Bradford and is now rolling out to all primary schools in Bradford and York during the academic year 2020/2021. It tests whether the Early Years Foundation Stage profile assessment can be used to identify children in Year 1 who may benefit from an ASC assessment. The assessment is conducted within the school by a team of clinicians and education experts. Parents/carers and teachers are also partners in the assessment process.
The ultimate aim of the project is to detect ASC earlier in children’s school career so that they can get the support they need to reach their full potential.
