Organisations that Support Autism
Autism Initiatives is one of those organisations. We provide specialist services for autistic people and their families across Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland and the Isle of Man. This page explains what we do and where we work, and also signposts some of the other trusted autism organisations and charities that may be able to help.
How Autism Initiatives works with autistic people
Autism Initiatives is a charity that has been providing specialist autism services since 1972. Our focus is on delivering high-quality, person-centred services and working alongside autistic people to help them achieve their goals.
Adult services
We provide supported living, residential, and community-based services for autistic adults across a number of regions in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Our services are built around each person – we work alongside to understand what matters to them and what they want to achieve.
Young people and families
We also offer services for autistic children and young people, and work alongside the families around them. Some of our services start from age five.
One Stop Shops: Accessible advice and support for autistic adults
Our One Stop Shops are drop-in style services where autistic people can access one-to-one advice, practical help and social opportunities.
Our One Stop Shops are open to autistic adults aged 16 and over who have a formal autism diagnosis and no learning disability. They offer a welcoming, low-pressure environment where people can get practical help with things like benefits, housing, employment, and health, as well as connect with other autistic people.
Late diagnosis support
Getting an autism diagnosis as an adult can raise a lot of questions. It can take time to make sense of what the diagnosis means for you, in your relationships, your work, and your everyday life. Support after an autism diagnosis is important, and we take that seriously.
We deliver Scotland’s National Late Diagnosis Programme, which is a funded programme working alongside autistic adults who have received a late diagnosis.
These groups are there for people to:
- Better understand their diagnosis and what it means for them
- Connect with other autistic adults who have had a similar experience
- Build confidence and develop practical strategies for day-to-day life
The programme has received Scottish Government funding through the Adult Autism Support Fund. If you are in Scotland and looking for support after a late autism diagnosis, please get in touch with us to find out more.
Work placements and social enterprises
We offer work placements through a number of our social enterprises. Our social enterprises include:
- A Great Little Place: a cafe and catering social enterprise providing work placements and skill development.
- MeCycle: a bicycle repair, recycling enterprise and cafe.
- WeGrow: a horticulture and growing project, in an outdoor market garden setting.
Other Organisations That Support Autism
Autism Initiatives does not provide services in every part of the UK. If you are looking for autism support organisations in an area we don’t cover, or need support that falls outside of our services, the following organisations may be able to help.
National Autism Charities, Research and Guidance
The national body for specialist not-for-profit organisations that support autistic people and their families. Autism Initiatives is a founding member.
A national autism charity in the UK offering education, employment support, and advocacy for autistic children and young people.
National Autistic Society (NAS)
One of the UK’s leading autism charities, providing information, support, and specialist services for autistic people and their families.
The UK’s leading autism research charity, funding and accelerating research to improve the lives of autistic people.
A UK charity specialising in Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), a profile of autism, providing information and support for autistic people, families, and professionals.
An international association working to improve the rights and support for autistic people across Europe.
An organisation working to transform outcomes for autistic people through evidence-based approaches.
Regional Autism Support Organisations
These autism support organisations operate in specific regions of the UK.
Enhancing the lives of autistic people in East Anglia.
An independent specialist charity providing essential support, information, and practical services to autistic people, their parents, carers, and families.
Providing a wide range of care, support and educational services to meet the needs of autistic people of all ages and their families and carers in the East Midlands.
Supporting autistic children, adults, and families in Northern Ireland and providing training and support for businesses.
Supporting autistic children, adults and families in and around the Dorset and Poole regions.
Supporting autistic people and their families in the West Midlands.
A Warrington-based charity providing support to children and young people through a school, college and therapy sessions.
Providing supported living, residential and outreach services across the South of England.
A specialist provider of services for young people and adults with autism in Kent.
A specialist autism charity providing services for autistic children, young people and adults as well as parents and carers in the North East.
Working with autistic people and families at every life stage across Scotland.
A charity based in North-West London for autistic people and their community.
Specialist, humanistic mental wellbeing support services for autistic people and their families and carers living in Greater Manchester.
Family, Care and Community Support
Supporting autistic people and their families in Essex.
Providing supported living, residential and outreach services across the South of England.
Centre for ADHD and Autism Support
A charity based in North-West London working alongside autistic and neurodivergent people and their community.
Supporting adults with learning disabilities and autistic people to have a louder voice, choice, and control in their lives.
An independent charity working to fund projects in England that enhance the education and mental health of young people with autism.
Autism support for parents. Programmes designed to support autistic children and families.
Supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism in Berkshire through a school and young adult provision.
Working alongside autistic and neurodivergent people through holistic, person-centred services in Teeside.
Supporting autistic people and their families.
Association for Real Change (ARC)
A national charity working to promote and protect the rights of people with learning disabilities.
Rights, Health, Training and Regulation
The NHS provides information on autism diagnosis pathways, support services, and mental health resources.
The independent regulator of health and social care in England.
The British Institute of Learning Disabilities which provides resources, training, and research on learning disabilities and autism.
Working to reduce the use of restrictive practices in services for autistic people and those with learning disabilities.
An NHS-led initiative to stop the over-medication of autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
British Institute for Human Rights (BIHR)
Working to make human rights real for everyone, including autistic people.
A children’s mental health charity providing training, research and support services.
The National Development Team for Inclusion supports people and creates opportunities for independence.
For checking the inspection reports and registration status of education and care providers.
A specialist school and residential service for young people with autism and complex needs.
Organisations that Support Autism in Scotland
Supporting autistic people and their families across Scotland, and taking action to achieve the more inclusive world we want for all autistic people.
PASDA offers support to parents, partners, siblings and carers of autistic adults (over 16) who live in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Provides personalised employment advice and practical support for disabled and neurodivergent people and those with a long-term health condition who live in Edinburgh and Midlothian.
Autistic Mutual Aid Society Edinburgh is an Autistic People’s Organisation based in Edinburgh. All full members are autistic, and their goal is to help autistic people to make each other’s lives better through community events and peer support, advocacy and education.
SWAN is an autistic-led charity delivering services, information and support for and by autistic women, girls and non-binary people across Scotland since 2012.
ARGH is a collective advocacy, lobbying and campaigning group based in the Highlands, but serving all of Scotland. We are run by and for autistic adults. The ARGH Scotland committee and full voting members are all autistic.
Supported Employment for people who have a disability or long-term health condition in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh and Lothian Asperger Society (ELAS) is an independent peer support group for adults over 16 with any autistic spectrum condition, either diagnosed or personally detected, on roughly the non-learning-disability part of the spectrum: no line drawn; if we are the level you are comfortable with, that’s fine.
Get in Touch With Autism Initiatives
If you are an autistic adult, a parent, carer or family member looking for autism services, we would be glad to hear from you. Autism Initiatives works alongside autistic people and their families across Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
If we don’t operate in your region, the autism charities and autism support organisations listed above may be able to, and we can help you find the right services.
