Where to Find Autism Help and Support

Vaccination

For the most up-to-date information and guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) and vaccinations, please visit NHS Inform.

Mental Health

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

Clear Your Head
Mind Your Mind

Education

This has been a difficult time for everyone, but children and young people with additional support needs and their families may have found it particularly challenging. The following links can help to support during this time.

National Autism Implementation Team
Parent Club

National Post-Diagnostic Support Service

If you or a family member have been diagnosed within the last two years, you may be interested in a pilot scheme that has recently been launched to deliver a post-diagnostic support service. The pilot scheme, which will run from December 2020 to 30 June 2022, aims to ensure that, following a diagnosis of autism, individuals, parents, and carers living across Scotland are aware of appropriate support in their area and how to access it.

To find out more about the pilot scheme, as well as the organisations and types of support available, please visit https://www.gov.scot/publications/autism-national-post-diagnostic-support-pilot/

Autism Understanding Scotland

Autism Understanding Scotland is an autistic-led service offering information about autism for autistic people, their friends and family, professionals, and anyone else interested in autism. Our services include one to one support, training, consultation and maintaining our Autism Information Hub which can be found on our website. While we primarily focus on providing support in Aberdeenshire we also provide limited support throughout Scotland.

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

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

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

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

Highland One Stop Shop

Area: Highlands & Islands/Inverness
Email: highlandoss@aiscotland.org.uk
Telephone: 01463 717649

Fife One Stop Shop

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

Autism Understanding Scotland

Area: North East Scotland and Aberdeen
Email: help@autismunderstanding.scot

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

Baags

Area: Borders
Email: baags@btconnect.com
Telephone: 01896 668 961

Sail Autism

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

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.

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 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 NAIT Team are professionals from Education, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychiatry, who have considerable experience and expertise in working with individuals of all ages, their families and others who support them. NAIT provide practitioner-to-practitioner advice.

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.