Autistic young people may need support in different ways. Whatever best helps, you can find out more about it in this section of our site. There are links to organisations that offer advice and practical support, as well as useful websites and directories that will signpost you to more help. Autistic young people may also find the information for autistic adults helpful.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please let us know via our feedback form.
“Remember – you’re not weird, everyone is allowed to think and feel differently”
Kit, Poole
Online information and guidance
NHS website – autism information
The NHS website includes a wealth of information on autism, including signs of autism, diagnosis, practical advice and support.
Ambitious About Autism
Ambitious About Autism is a charity dedicated to providing information, advice and support to autistic children and young people and their families.
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society provides a directory of advice and guidance on a huge range of topics, including information about diagnosis, employment, physical health and more.
Dorset Adult Asperger’s Group (DAAS)
DAAS provides a directory of useful information for autistic young people aged 18 and over on topics including crisis, advocacy, benefits, legal matters and more.
Online information and guidance
These websites provide information and guidance on a range of topics related to autism and young people.
NHS website – autism information
The NHS website includes a wealth of information on autism, including signs of autism, diagnosis, practical advice and support.
Ambitious About Autism
Ambitious About Autism is a charity dedicated to providing information, advice and support to autistic children and young people and their families.
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society provides a directory of advice and guidance on a huge range of topics, including information about diagnosis, employment, physical health and more.
Dorset Adult Asperger’s Group (DAAS)
DAAS provides a directory of useful information for autistic young people aged 18 and over on topics including crisis, advocacy, benefits, legal matters and more.
Local organisations
Dorset Help and Kindness Directory
This local directory provides information on groups and organisations in Dorset that can provide support to autistic children, adults and family members.
Autism Services Directory (National Autistic Society)
This searchable directory includes details on a range of organisations in Dorset that can provide support (tip: add ‘Dorset’ in the search bar).
Autism Unlimited
Autism Unlimited provides a range of support for autistic children and young people in Dorset. The charity’s Futures programme aims to help young people aged 18-25 with an education health and care plan (EHCP) make choices and develop the skills they need to move successfully and happily into adulthood. The charity also runs Portfield School, a specialist school in Bournemouth for autistic children, and offers specialist autism training to other organisations.
Dorset Adults Asperger’s Support (DAAS)
DAAS provides information and peer support for autistic adults across Dorset, including people with Asperger’s, as well as their families, friends and carers. Meetings run in-person in Bournemouth and also online, and are open to people from across Dorset. A speaker is also available to groups to spread understanding.
- Find out more online: www.dorsetadultaspergerssupport.org.uk
- Email: info@dorsetadultaspergerssupport.org.uk
- DAAS can also chat on the phone if preferred – please email to request and the team will arrange a phone call.
Local organisations
Specialist autism charities and groups can provide a range of support and advice to autistic young people.
Dorset Help and Kindness Directory
This local directory provides information on groups and organisations in Dorset that can provide support to autistic children, adults and family members.
Autism Services Directory (National Autistic Society)
This searchable directory includes details on a range of organisations in Dorset that can provide support (tip: add ‘Dorset’ in the search bar).
Autism Unlimited
Autism Unlimited provides a range of support for autistic children and young people in Dorset. The charity’s Futures programme aims to help young people aged 18-25 with an education health and care plan (EHCP) make choices and develop the skills they need to move successfully and happily into adulthood. The charity also runs Portfield School, a specialist school in Bournemouth for autistic children, and offers specialist autism training to other organisations.
Dorset Adults Asperger’s Support (DAAS)
DAAS provides information and peer support for autistic adults across Dorset, including people with Asperger’s, as well as their families, friends and carers. Meetings run in-person in Bournemouth and also online, and are open to people from across Dorset. A speaker is also available to groups to spread understanding.
- Find out more online: www.dorsetadultaspergerssupport.org.uk
- Email: info@dorsetadultaspergerssupport.org.uk
- DAAS can also chat on the phone if preferred – please email to request and the team will arrange a phone call.
Peer support and networks
Peer support can be accessed via groups, networks and activities in the local community. It can provide a non-judgmental, safe space that allows people to connect with others, speak openly, and share advice and suggestions.
Dorset Youth – Activity Finder
This searchable directory includes details on a wide range of groups and activities for young people, and allows users to search by support type, including ‘SEND/neurodiverse’.
Dorset Adults Asperger’s Support (DAAS)
DAAS hosts regular meetings in Bournemouth as well as online. Meetings are open to people from across Dorset. The DAAS team are also available to help via email and on the phone.
Email: info@dorsetadultaspergerssupport.org.uk
Help and Kindness Directory
The Help and Kindness Directory provides information on groups and organisations in Dorset that offer peer support, including autism-specific groups and groups for people with learning disabilities.
Resources for Autism
This national charity hosts a range of virtual events for autistic adults, including specialist support groups.
Ambitious About Autism online network
This national charity connects young people and gives them a voice through a range of activities, including an online network.
Peer support and networks
Peer support brings people together to share experiences, and can help autistic young people to connect and understand their autistic identity.
Peer support can be accessed via groups, networks and activities in the local community. It can provide a non-judgmental, safe space that allows people to connect with others, speak openly, and share advice and suggestions.
Dorset Youth – Activity Finder
This searchable directory includes details on a wide range of groups and activities for young people, and allows users to search by support type, including ‘SEND/neurodiverse’.
Dorset Adults Asperger’s Support (DAAS)
DAAS hosts regular meetings in Bournemouth as well as online. Meetings are open to people from across Dorset. The DAAS team are also available to help via email and on the phone.
Email: info@dorsetadultaspergerssupport.org.uk
Help and Kindness Directory
The Help and Kindness Directory provides information on groups and organisations in Dorset that offer peer support, including autism-specific groups and groups for people with learning disabilities.
Resources for Autism
This national charity hosts a range of virtual events for autistic adults, including specialist support groups.
Ambitious About Autism online network
This national charity connects young people and gives them a voice through a range of activities, including an online network.
Training and understanding
Recovery Education Centre – autism course
Dorset’s Recovery Education Centre (REC) runs a three-part ‘Understanding Autism’ course that is available to anyone who is autistic, as well as those supporting them. This offers an opportunity to explore our understanding of autism and its impact, what that means for wellbeing, coping skills, communication, and living with autism. The REC also runs courses on other useful topics, included ADHD and mental health.
- Find out more about the courses and how to access them.
- Access the learning materials here.
You can also find out more about training and research opportunities in our Training and Research section.
Training and understanding
Specialist training is available in Dorset for anyone aged 18 or over who would like to understand more about autism.
Recovery Education Centre – autism course
Dorset’s Recovery Education Centre (REC) runs a three-part ‘Understanding Autism’ course that is available to anyone who is autistic, as well as those supporting them. This offers an opportunity to explore our understanding of autism and its impact, what that means for wellbeing, coping skills, communication, and living with autism. The REC also runs courses on other useful topics, included ADHD and mental health.
- Find out more about the courses and how to access them.
- Access the learning materials here.
You can also find out more about training and research opportunities in our Training and Research section.
Preparing for adulthood
Local Offer websites
The two local councils provide information and advice for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) moving from children’s services to adult’s services. This may be helpful to some young people with autism who have previously benefitted from the support of these services.
- The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole SEND Local Offer – BCP Council
- Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Local Offer – Dorset Council
Autism Unlimited – Futures programme
The charity’s Futures programme aims to help young people with an education health and care plan (EHCP) aged 18-25 make choices and develop the skills they need to move successfully and happily into adulthood.
Preparing for adulthood
Moving from children’s services to adult’s service can sometimes be challenging for young people with special educational needs, which can include people with autism.
Local Offer websites
The two local councils provide information and advice for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) moving from children’s services to adult’s services. This may be helpful to some young people with autism who have previously benefitted from the support of these services.
- The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole SEND Local Offer – BCP Council
- Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Local Offer – Dorset Council
Autism Unlimited – Futures programme
The charity’s Futures programme aims to help young people with an education health and care plan (EHCP) aged 18-25 make choices and develop the skills they need to move successfully and happily into adulthood.
Emotional health and wellbeing
Dorset Youth – mental health support
Find information on organisations that provide mental health support to young people in Dorset.
Public Health Dorset
Find information on organisations that provide mental health support to children and young people.
Community Mental Health Team (CMHT)
In some cases, CMHT may provide support to young people aged 18 and over who are experiencing severe mental health difficulties.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
In some cases, CAMHS may provide support to autistic children and young people under the age of 18 who are experiencing mental health difficulties.
Steps2Wellbeing service
Dorset HealthCare’s Steps2Wellbeing provides free talking therapies and guided self-help to people aged 18 and over who are experiencing anxiety or depression. It can be accessed online via self-referral.
24/7 support if you need to talk
If you are struggling and need to talk, these free services are available at any time, day or night, whatever age you are:
- Call Dorset’s 24/7 mental health helpline Connection on 0800 652 0190
- Text SHOUT to 85258 for confidential support via text message
- Call the Samaritans on 116 123, however big or small the problem
More information on mental health and wellbeing
Learn more about mental health and wellbeing for neurodivergent people in our section on mental health and neurodiversity.
Emotional health and wellbeing
Autism is not a mental health condition, but autistic young people may experience emotional health difficulties just as others do.
Dorset Youth – mental health support
Find information on organisations that provide mental health support to young people in Dorset.
Public Health Dorset
Find information on organisations that provide mental health support to children and young people.
Community Mental Health Team (CMHT)
In some cases, CMHT may provide support to young people aged 18 and over who are experiencing severe mental health difficulties.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
In some cases, CAMHS may provide support to autistic children and young people under the age of 18 who are experiencing mental health difficulties.
Steps2Wellbeing service
Dorset HealthCare’s Steps2Wellbeing provides free talking therapies and guided self-help to people aged 18 and over who are experiencing anxiety or depression. It can be accessed online via self-referral.
24/7 support if you need to talk
If you are struggling and need to talk, these free services are available at any time, day or night, whatever age you are:
- Call Dorset’s 24/7 mental health helpline Connection on 0800 652 0190
- Text SHOUT to 85258 for confidential support via text message
- Call the Samaritans on 116 123, however big or small the problem
More information on mental health and wellbeing
Learn more about mental health and wellbeing for neurodivergent people in our section on mental health and neurodiversity.
Articles and blogs
Articles and blogs
Information and advice from members of Dorset’s neurodivergent community on topics including dating, relationships, times of change and more.
Visit the Living Your Life section of our website.
More helpful information
Support for autistic children and their families
Groups and activities, peer support, local charities, mental health support and more for autistic children
Support for young people with ADHD
Online networks, peer support, emotional health, preparing for adulthood and more
Digital tools, sensory resources and practical aids that can help neurodivergent people in different settings
Living your life
Navigating a neurotypical world can sometimes be tough.
Living your life
Navigating a neurotypical world can sometimes be tough.
