Where to Find Autism Help and Support

Mental Health

If you're experiencing mental health difficulties, you are not alone. Free, confidential help and advice are available.

Mind Your Mind

Scottish Autism

Autism Advice Line – 01259 222022

Online Advice Form – https://www.scottishautism.org/advice-line-form

We exist to help those diagnosed with autism to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives and be recognised as valued members of the community they live in.

We also seek to share our knowledge and expertise with parents, carers and other professionals in order to support the development of skills and strategies needed to provide the best care and support for autistic people.

Autism Initiatives

Online Contact Form - https://autisminitiatives.org/contactus

In a variety of locations throughout the UK and Ireland we offer a wide range of support for autistic people. From supported living to schools, from a short break service to one stop shops, from work placements to training, clubs and activities, Autism Initiatives has a wealth of resources and expertise that support autistic people to achieve their personal goals.

National Autistic Society

National Autistic Society Scotland is a leading charity for autistic people and their families in Scotland. We provide local specialist help, information and care across Scotland to autistic people, their families and carers. For example, we provide an Education Rights and Transitions Service, Student Support Service, as well as region-specific information services in Glasgow, Ayrshire and the Highlands. Through our Moving Forward+ service we also support young autistic people towards positive destinations including employment. In addition, we run online social groups and a post diagnostic support programme, which empower young autistic people to develop social navigation skills and strategies as well as discuss topics of interest - from film and TV, to cooking, gaming, politics, art and many more. For a comprehensive look at the services and info we provide, visit our website at the button below.

Autism Understanding Scotland

Although no longer available as an in-person support service, the Autism Understanding Scotland website remains live and hosts an Autism Information Hub, which contains information on topics such as autistic rights, employment, wellbeing, autistic communication and much more, all written by autistic people.

SWAN

info@swanscotland.org

We offer autistic-led peer-support, in local groups and through online forums, for autistic women in Scotland. We are a Participatory Action and Autism Research organisation; we deliver consultancy and training to all sectors, knowledge share events, academic papers and key-note presentations. We are currently running a Scottish Government-funded project to support employers in building more inclusive workplaces and autistic women in their employment and career.

Autism Rights Group Highland – ARGH

Area: Highlands

ARGH is a group run by and for autistic adults.

As an organisation we inform service providers about what autistic people really experience. We campaign for better services for autistic people in the Highlands and beyond. We also look to challenge stigma and discrimination through education about autistic strengths.

To join ARGH as a full member you must be autistic, aged 18+ and living in or near Highland (autistic people outwith Highland considered for full membership at the committee’s discretion). We also accept associate members who do not fit the criteria for full membership but who support our aims.

For more information on becoming a member of ARGH please email: info@arghighland.co.uk

AMASE - Autistic Mutual Aid Society Edinburgh

Area: Edinburgh

We are an Autistic People’s Organisation based in Edinburgh. All members are on the autistic spectrum, and our goal is to help autistic people make each other’s lives better through peer support, advocacy and education.

Full Membership of AMASE is open to autistic adults aged 16 and over in Edinburgh, Lothians and Fife, with members in other nearby areas admitted at the committee’s discretion. Those who don’t fit those criteria are eligible to be Associate Members, provided they support AMASE’s objectives. There is no joining fee.

Autism ATLAS

Area: Glasgow and Renfrewshire

ATLAS is a small autistic led organisation based in the Glasgow and Renfrewshire area. They aim to increase autism awareness and acceptance in their local community. They deliver training developed from autistic people’s experiences to create communities where autistic people and their carers feel valued, respected and safe.

Here are some links to their videos:
Sensory Issues
Burnout
Masking

ELAS - Edinburgh and Lothian Asperger Society

Area: Edinburgh and the Lothians

ELAS aims to provide a community for autistic people to meet, accept, value and support one another and share ideas and coping strategies. We aim to link with other autism groups, autism professionals and service providers, and to improve services and conditions for autistic people by promoting autism awareness and providing input on autistic issues to government policy documents.

ELAS is organised by autistic people and has an elected chair. Membership is free and open to anyone as described above, and to their family, including parents and partners. Autism professionals are welcome to visit to raise items with us.

Diversified

Area: West Lothian and surrounding areas

Diversified is an autistic youth-led charity supporting autistic and neurodivergent 10 to 21 year olds. We welcome young people with or without a formal diagnosis.

All our services combine a range of wellbeing and social activities to enable young people to build friendships with like-minded peers, reducing isolation and giving neurodivergent young people a safe space to be their “au-thentic” selves. It is a no pressure environment with no judgement, which allows young people to go at their own pace and participate in a way that works for them. We provide dedicated facilities at our hub in Livingston, including sensory spaces specifically designed by autistic young people.

Highland One Stop Shop

A One Stop Shop or OSS is a place where autistic people can access support and advice for everyday life.

Fife One Stop Shop

Area: Fife
Email: fifeoss@scottishautism.org
Telephone: 0159 264 5350

No6 One Stop Shop

Area: Edinburgh and Lothians
Email: number6@aiscotland.org.uk
Telephone: 07570 953 331

No3 One Stop Shop

Area: Perth and Kinross
Email: jill.murdoch@aiscotland.org.uk
Telephone: 01738 449327

Perth Autism Support

Area: Perth and Kinross
Email: info@perthautismsupport.org.uk
Telephone: 01738 451081

Sail Autism

Area: Lanarkshire
Email: mail@sailautism.org.uk
Telephone: 0792 239 9199

NHS Inform

NHS inform is Scotland's national health information service.

Our aim is to provide the people in Scotland with accurate and relevant information to help them make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for.

Fair Start Scotland

Get in touch https://www.startscotland.scot/contact-us

Call: 0800 049 7061

We recognise that everyone's life is different and you might be further away from the job market than others. That's why we tailor our approach so that our service is individual to you.

Autism Toolbox

The Autism Toolbox is a free online resource developed to support the inclusion of autistic learners in Scottish Early Learning and Childcare settings, Primary and Secondary schools.

The Toolbox supports the Scottish Strategy for Autism which aims to build on improvements to autism services and increase access to these.

NAIT – National Autistic Implementation Team

The National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) are a practitioner researcher partnership based at Queen Margaret University. Our work supports local implementation of evidence informed practice across the life span within a neurodiversity paradigm.

The team includes professionals from Education, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychiatry and academics with considerable experience of working with neurodivergent individuals of all ages, their families and others who support them. We work in partnership with neurodivergent people to inform all actions.

NAIT provide practitioner to practitioner support through a growing community of practice to facilitate evidence informed actions in the areas of assessment and diagnosis, implementing neurodevelopmental pathways, education and inclusive practice and employment.