Where to get autism support

Having an autistic child can put a lot of strain on you and your family. If you feel you need help, you can get support from lots of places.

Things that can help you and your family

• ask friends and family if they can help with day-to-day things or just be there to talk to

• get advice from other parents of autistic children or autistic adults 

• listen to other parents' stories – you can search online for blogs, videos and books

• ask your local council for a carer's assessment – you might be able to get extra support and financial benefits

• think about doing a course for parents of autistic children – such as the EarlyBird course from the National Autistic Society

Parent's health 

We’ve put together some information and resources to support parent’s health. 

• National Autistic Society - family relationships
• Ambitious About Autism - parent toolkit

• Help for families of autistic people

• Where to get autism support
• Services and support for parents
• Advice for parenting
• Mental and emotional wellbeing
  • Looking after yourself when your child’s behaviour is difficult to understand
  • MIND
  • Talking Therapies
  • Emotional health and wellbeing – Mothers
  • Emotional health and wellbeing – Fathers
• Financial wellbeing
  • Financial help if you have children
  • Benefits for families
  • Different financial support is available if you have children with special education needs and disabilities

Friends and family

Telling people close to you about your or your child's autism diagnosis can help them understand how to support you.

They may be able to help with:

• everyday things so you have more time to focus on yourself or your child
• emotional support

National charities

National Autistic Society

For autistic adults and children, and their families.

• Website: www.autism.org.uk

Ambitious about Autism

For autistic children and young people, their parents and carers.

• Call: 020 8815 5444
• E-mail: info@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk
• Website: www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

Local support groups

The assessment team that diagnosed you or your child should give you information on local support groups.

You can also search for local groups using the National Autistic Society services directory.

Your school, college or workplace

You can get support to make things easier for you or your child.

Find out what help is available at:

• nursery or school – speak to teachers or a special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO)
• college or university – speak to student support services
• work – speak to your manager and human resources (HR)

Your local council

You can get some support and financial benefits from your local council.

What's available depends on your situation.

For people under 25, ask your council about their "local offer".

This is the name for the support they provide for young people with special educational needs.

Every council has to have a local offer.

You can also get advice about the local offer from your local special educational needs advice service. Find your nearest information, advice and support (IAS) service on the Council for Disabled Children website

GPs and autism assessment teams

If you think you or your child needs help from a health professional, speak to a GP or the assessment team that diagnosed you.

They may be able to refer you to a specialist who can help, such as:

• an occupational therapist
• a speech and language therapist
• a mental health specialist