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 aged 18 and over may also find the information for autistic adults helpful<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t find what you\u2019re looking for, please let us know via our feedback form<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> \u201cRemember \u2013 you’re not weird, everyone is allowed to think and feel differently\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div> Kit, Poole<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> The<\/span>\u00a0NHS website<\/span>\u00a0includes a wealth of information on autism, including signs of autism, diagnosis<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0practical\u00a0<\/span>advice<\/span> and support.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ambitious About Autism is a charity dedicated to providing information, advice and support to autistic children and young people and their families.<\/p>\n The\u00a0<\/span>National Autistic Society<\/span>\u00a0provides<\/span>\u00a0a directory of advice and guidance\u00a0<\/span>on\u00a0<\/span>a huge range<\/span>\u00a0of topics<\/span>, including information about diagnosis, employment, physical health and more.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> These websites provide information and guidance on a range of topics related to autism and young people.<\/p>\n<\/div> The<\/span>\u00a0NHS website<\/span>\u00a0includes a wealth of information on autism, including signs of autism, diagnosis<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0practical\u00a0<\/span>advice<\/span> and support.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ambitious About Autism is a charity dedicated to providing information, advice and support to autistic children and young people and their families.<\/p>\n The\u00a0<\/span>National Autistic Society<\/span>\u00a0provides<\/span>\u00a0a directory of advice and guidance\u00a0<\/span>on\u00a0<\/span>a huge range<\/span>\u00a0of topics<\/span>, including information about diagnosis, employment, physical health and more.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Local organisations<\/p><\/h2><\/div> 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.<\/p>\n DAAS provides information and peer support for autistic adults across Dorset, including people with Asperger\u2019s, 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.<\/p>\n This local directory provides information on groups and organisations in Dorset that can provide support to autistic children, adults and family members.<\/p>\n This searchable directory includes details on a range of <\/span>organisations<\/span>\u00a0in Dorset that can\u00a0<\/span>provide<\/span> support (tip: add ‘Dorset’ in the search bar).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Local organisations<\/p><\/h2><\/div> Specialist autism charities and groups can provide a range of support and advice to autistic young people.<\/p>\n<\/div> 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.<\/p>\n DAAS provides information and peer support for autistic adults across Dorset, including people with Asperger\u2019s, 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.<\/p>\n This local directory provides information on groups and organisations in Dorset that can provide support to autistic children, adults and family members.<\/p>\n This searchable directory includes details on a range of <\/span>organisations<\/span>\u00a0in Dorset that can\u00a0<\/span>provide<\/span> support (tip: add ‘Dorset’ in the search bar).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> 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.<\/p>\n 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’.<\/p>\n DAAS hosts regular meetings in Bournemouth as well as online. Meetings are open to adults from across Dorset. The DAAS team are also available to help via email and on the phone.<\/p>\n Email: info@dorsetadultaspergerssupport.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n The\u00a0<\/span>Help and Kindness Directory<\/span><\/span>\u00a0provides information on groups and\u00a0<\/span>organisations<\/span>\u00a0in Dorset that\u00a0<\/span>offer peer support, including autism-specific groups and groups for people with learning disabilities.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>![](\"https:\/\/nhsdorset.nhs.uk\/neurodiversity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/11\/radiating-circle-kit.png\" "\\"radiating-circle-kit\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Online information and guidance<\/h2><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>These websites provide information and guidance on a range of topics related to autism and young people.<\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
NHS website – autism information<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n
Ambitious About Autism – information about autism<\/a><\/h4>\n
National Autistic Society – advice and guidance<\/a><\/h4>\n
Dorset Adult Asperger\u2019s Group (DAAS) – directory of information<\/a><\/h4>\n
Online information and guidance<\/h2><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Read more<\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
NHS website – autism information<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n
Ambitious About Autism – information about autism<\/a><\/h4>\n
National Autistic Society – advice and guidance<\/a><\/h4>\n
Dorset Adult Asperger\u2019s Group (DAAS) – directory of information<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Specialist autism charities and groups can provide a range of support and advice to autistic young people.<\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
Autism Unlimited<\/a><\/h4>\n
Dorset Adults Asperger\u2019s Support (DAAS)<\/a><\/h4>\n
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Dorset Help and Kindness Directory <\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n
Autism Services Directory (National Autistic Society)<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Read more<\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
Autism Unlimited<\/a><\/h4>\n
Dorset Adults Asperger\u2019s Support (DAAS)<\/a><\/h4>\n
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Dorset Help and Kindness Directory <\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n
Autism Services Directory (National Autistic Society)<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n
Peer support and networks<\/h2><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Peer support brings people together to share experiences, and can help autistic young people to connect and understand their autistic identity.<\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
Dorset Youth – Activity Finder<\/a><\/h4>\n
Dorset Adults Asperger\u2019s Support (DAAS)<\/a><\/h4>\n
Help and Kindness Directory<\/a><\/h4>\n
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