Telling people close to you about your or your child's autism diagnosis can help them understand what this means.
They may be able to help with:
For parents of autistic children, young autistic people and autistic adults.
For autistic children and young people, their parents and carers.
It may also help to listen to other people's experiences of autism on healthtalk.org.
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:
There are many people with experience of autism offering support and sharing their stories on forums and social media.
You do not have to talk to others in online groups, but it can be helpful to look at what they're saying.
A good place to start is the groups run by autism charities. But bear in mind the NHS does not monitor these sites.
Comments on social media and forums are often based on personal experience and should not be taken as advice that would help you or your child.
How to use Facebook if you're new to it.
How to use Twitter if you're new to it.
You can get support to make things easier for you or your child.
Find out what help is available at:
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.
If you're an autistic adult or care for an autistic adult, ask your council for a needs assessment.
This is an assessment to find out:
If you look after someone who's autistic, ask your council for a carer's assessment.
This is an assessment to find out what support or financial benefits you might be able to get to help you care for an autistic person.
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:
Page last reviewed: Thu Apr 2019 Next review due: Mon Apr 2022