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Guides and resources

Plain-language guides to getting a diagnosis, education, money, rights, work and wellbeing, for autistic people of every age and the people who support them. Each guide says which UK nations it covers and lists its sources.

Getting a diagnosis

Assessment routes in each UK nation, what to expect, and what happens after a diagnosis.

  • Autism assessment in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

    How autism assessment works in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including health boards, Integrated Autism Services and Health and Social Care Trusts.

    Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland — 3 min read

  • How to get an autism assessment in England

    How referrals work in England, what NHS assessments involve, what NHS Right to Choose means, and what to check before paying for a private assessment.

    England only — 4 min read

  • Preparing for an autism assessment

    What usually happens during an autism assessment, what to gather beforehand, which adjustments you can ask for, and what the outcomes can be.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

  • What happens after an autism diagnosis

    What to expect after an autism diagnosis, how to read the report, when to tell others, and how support can be available without a diagnosis.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

Education and SEND

Support in nursery, school, college and university, EHCPs and their equivalents, and appeals.

  • Additional learning needs in Wales

    How the additional learning needs system works in Wales, including Individual Development Plans, the ALNCo, the Education Tribunal for Wales and where to get advice.

    Wales only — 3 min read

  • Additional support for learning in Scotland

    How the additional support for learning system works in Scotland, including Coordinated Support Plans, requesting assessments, Enquire and Additional Support Needs Tribunals.

    Scotland only — 3 min read

  • Appealing an EHC plan decision in England

    When you can appeal an EHC plan decision, what mediation involves, how the First-tier Tribunal (SEND) works, and where to get help. England only.

    England only — 3 min read

  • College, university and further learning after school

    Post-16 options for autistic young people, including college, supported internships, apprenticeships, EHC plans up to 25 in England, and Disabled Students' Allowance.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

  • SEN support in schools in England

    How schools in England support autistic children and young people with special educational needs, what the SENCO does, and how to work with the school.

    England only — 4 min read

  • Special educational needs in Northern Ireland

    How special educational needs support works in Northern Ireland, including the stages of support, the Education Authority, SENDIST and where to get advice.

    Northern Ireland only — 3 min read

  • What is an EHC plan? A guide for England

    What an Education, Health and Care plan is, how to ask for an EHC needs assessment, the main timescales, what a plan contains and how annual reviews work.

    England only — 4 min read

  • When school is difficult for an autistic child

    Practical steps when an autistic child finds school very hard, including anxiety-related non-attendance, working with the school, part-time timetables and alternative provision.

    All UK nations — 4 min read

Money and rights

Disability benefits, the Equality Act and reasonable adjustments.

  • Disability benefits for disabled adults

    A plain guide to Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, moving from DLA at 16, working and Universal Credit, and challenging a decision.

    All UK nations — 4 min read

  • Disability benefits for disabled children

    How Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment work for disabled children, how to apply, what happens at 16, and how to challenge a decision.

    All UK nations — 4 min read

  • Your rights under the Equality Act

    What counts as disability in law, where the rules apply, what reasonable adjustments are, and where to get free advice across the UK.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

Families and carers

Support for parents and carers, carer's assessments, social care and short breaks.

  • Social care, assessments and short breaks

    How needs assessments work for disabled children and adults, what short breaks are, how direct payments and self-directed support work, and how to prepare for an assessment.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

  • Support for parents of young children

    Noticing differences in your child, talking to your health visitor or GP, early years support, Portage, and parent groups. You do not need a diagnosis to ask for help.

    All UK nations — 2 min read

  • Your rights as a carer

    Who counts as a carer, how to ask for an assessment in your nation, and how Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment work, including for young carers and parent carers.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

Adulthood and work

Preparing for adulthood, finding support as an adult, work, housing and independence.

  • Finding support as an autistic adult

    Many services do not need a diagnosis. Learn how to get an autism assessment, what happens after diagnosis, and where peer and advocacy support can help.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

  • Independent living and housing

    Housing options for autistic adults, how needs assessments work in England and Wales, and what to know about travel passes and budgeting support.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

  • Preparing for adulthood: planning from age 14

    How planning for adult life starts in the teenage years, what England's SEND rules expect from reviews, and how the Mental Capacity Act applies from age 16.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

  • Work and employment for autistic people

    Access to Work, reasonable adjustments, choosing whether to tell an employer, and where to get free advice on work rights across the UK.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

Health and wellbeing

Mental health, adjustments at health appointments, and getting urgent help.

  • Autism and mental health: getting support across the UK

    How autistic people can access talking therapies and child and adolescent mental health services, ask for adaptations, and get urgent help in each nation.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

  • Reasonable adjustments in healthcare

    Your right to reasonable adjustments at GP, hospital and dental appointments, the NHS Reasonable Adjustment Flag, hospital passports and special care dentistry.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

  • Staying safe and getting urgent help

    Who to contact in an emergency or crisis, how to get urgent mental health help in each nation, and how to report safeguarding concerns or hate crime.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

Everyday life

Social life, community, relaxed events and support in later life.

  • Autism in later life

    Getting an autism diagnosis as an older adult, social care assessments, care home adjustments, and support for older carers.

    All UK nations — 3 min read

  • Social life and community

    Finding friends and groups that suit you, relaxed and sensory-friendly events, staying safe online, and what to do when a venue does not help.

    All UK nations — 2 min read

Helplines and national organisations

Organisations offering information, advice and support across the UK. Vianova is not connected to them. For local services, search the directory.

Helplines

Official information

Charities and organisations

If you need help now

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent medical help, contact NHS 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. Samaritans are available any time, free, on 116 123.

Guides are general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. They are checked against official sources and reviewed regularly. Spotted something wrong? Let us know.