Autistic children and families 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.<\/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> Online information and guidance<\/p><\/h2><\/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 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, physical health and more.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ambitious About Autism is a national charity that supports children, young people and their families. The website includes a wide range of helpful information and advice about autism.<\/p>\n The Child Development Centre section on the University Hospitals Dorset website has resources, information, advice and support booklets on a range of topics. It includes an autism advice and support pack, which is intended as an introduction if your child has recently been diagnosed as autistic, plus additional resources including a guide to neurodevelopmental assessments and a directory of useful information.<\/p>\n This website contains a wide range of information to support parents and carers, including helpful resources and signposting. Autism Central also provides one-to-one and group support to parents and carers in Dorset via the South West hub.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Online information and guidance<\/p><\/h2><\/div> These websites and online resources provide helpful information on a wide range of topics linked to autism in children.<\/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 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, physical health and more.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ambitious About Autism is a national charity that supports children, young people and their families. The website includes a wide range of helpful information and advice about autism.<\/p>\n The Child Development Centre section on the University Hospitals Dorset website has resources, information, advice and support booklets on a range of topics. It includes an autism advice and support pack, which is intended as an introduction if your child has recently been diagnosed as autistic, plus additional resources including a guide to neurodevelopmental assessments and a directory of useful information.<\/p>\n This website contains a wide range of information to support parents and carers, including helpful resources and signposting. Autism Central also provides one-to-one and group support to parents and carers in Dorset via the South West hub.<\/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 runs Portfield School, a specialist school in Bournemouth for autistic children, and offers specialist autism training to other organisations. In addition, Autism Unlimited runs local campaigns and initiatives to improve education and awareness.<\/p>\n The two councils\u2019 Local Offer websites include information and links to a wide range of services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which can include autism. There are separate Local Offer websites for the BCP Council and Dorset Council area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) offers free, confidential support to families who have children and young people aged 0-25 with SEND. There are separate SENDIASS services for the BCP Council and Dorset Council area.<\/p>\n This helpful website contains information on a range of organisations that can provide support to autistic children, as well as their families and siblings.<\/span><\/p>\n DPCC is the parent carer forum for parents and carers of children and young people (0-25 years) with SEND in the Dorset Council area. The DPCC\u2019s aim is to make sure the services in their area meet the needs of disabled children and their families. You can also contact them for help or advice if you are worried about your child.<\/span><\/p>\n PCT is the parent carer forum for parents and carers of children and young people (0-25 years) with SEND in the BCP Council area. PCT gathers the views of local families and works in partnership with local organisations to highlight what is working well or challenge when changes need to be made. PCT also organises groups and workshops for families in the BCP area.<\/p>\n This searchable directory includes details on a range of organisations in Dorset that can provide support (tip: type ‘Dorset’ into the search bar).<\/p>\n This local directory also provides information on groups and organisations in Dorset that can provide support.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Local organisations<\/p><\/h2><\/div> Specialist autism charities and services in Dorset provide guidance, support and practical help to autistic children and their families.<\/p>\n<\/div> Autism Unlimited provides a range of support for autistic children and young people in Dorset. The charity runs Portfield School, a specialist school in Bournemouth for autistic children, and offers specialist autism training to other organisations. In addition, Autism Unlimited runs local campaigns and initiatives to improve education and awareness.<\/p>\n The two councils\u2019 Local Offer websites include information and links to a wide range of services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which can include autism. There are separate Local Offer websites for the BCP Council and Dorset Council area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) offers free, confidential support to families who have children and young people aged 0-25 with SEND. There are separate SENDIASS services for the BCP Council and Dorset Council area.<\/p>\n This helpful website contains information on a range of organisations that can provide support to autistic children, as well as their families and siblings.<\/span><\/p>\n DPCC is the parent carer forum for parents and carers of children and young people (0-25 years) with SEND in the Dorset Council area. The DPCC\u2019s aim is to make sure the services in their area meet the needs of disabled children and their families. You can also contact them for help or advice if you are worried about your child.<\/span><\/p>\n PCT is the parent carer forum for parents and carers of children and young people (0-25 years) with SEND in the BCP Council area. PCT gathers the views of local families and works in partnership with local organisations to highlight what is working well or challenge when changes need to be made. PCT also organises groups and workshops for families in the BCP area.<\/p>\n This searchable directory includes details on a range of organisations in Dorset that can provide support (tip: type ‘Dorset’ into the search bar).<\/p>\n This local directory also provides information on groups and organisations in Dorset that can provide support.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Support in education<\/p><\/h2><\/div> Every autistic child is different and the level and type of support they need in education will vary. For some, it may simply involve the school making certain adjustments to help them to thrive in <\/span>an educational<\/span> environment. <\/span><\/span>Others may need dedicated support provided by a member of staff such as a teaching assistant, and some might <\/span>benefit<\/span> from <\/span>the support of <\/span>a specialist school.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Local Offer websites include a wide range information on support for children and young people in education:<\/p>\n This guide explains the support ordinarily available in Dorset education settings, from early years settings to post-16 providers, if a child or young person needs more help to achieve their potential.<\/p>\n The National Autistic Society provides a comprehensive guide to how your child might receive additional help for their special educational needs (SEN) in school and further education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Support in education<\/p><\/h2><\/div> Some autistic children and young people may need additional support in school or college to help them fulfil their potential.<\/p>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/nhsdorset.nhs.uk\/neurodiversity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/11\/PeopleCircles-Faris-NHS_Orange.png\" "\\"PeopleCircles-Faris-NHS_Orange\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>These websites and online resources provide helpful information on a wide range of topics linked to autism in children.<\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
NHS website – autism information<\/a><\/h4>\n
National Autistic Society website – advice and guidance<\/a><\/h4>\n
Ambitious About Autism website – information about autism<\/a><\/h4>\n
University Hospitals Dorset online resources<\/a><\/h4>\n
Autism Central<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Read more<\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
NHS website – autism information<\/a><\/h4>\n
National Autistic Society website – advice and guidance<\/a><\/h4>\n
Ambitious About Autism website – information about autism<\/a><\/h4>\n
University Hospitals Dorset online resources<\/a><\/h4>\n
Autism Central<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Specialist autism charities and services in Dorset provide guidance, support and practical help to autistic children and their families.<\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
Autism Unlimited<\/a><\/h4>\n
Local Offer websites<\/h4>\n
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SENDIass<\/h4>\n
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Dorset Youth – SEND support<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n
Dorset Parent Carer Council (DPCC)<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n
Parent Carers Together (PCT)<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n
The National Autistic Society – Autism Services Directory<\/a><\/h4>\n
Dorset Help and Kindness Directory<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Read more<\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
Autism Unlimited<\/a><\/h4>\n
Local Offer websites<\/h4>\n
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SENDIass<\/h4>\n
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Dorset Youth – SEND support<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n
Dorset Parent Carer Council (DPCC)<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n
Parent Carers Together (PCT)<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n
The National Autistic Society – Autism Services Directory<\/a><\/h4>\n
Dorset Help and Kindness Directory<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Some autistic children and young people may need additional support in school or college to help them fulfil their potential.<\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div>
Local Offer websites – education and learning support<\/h4>\n
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Guide to supporting your child’s special educational needs<\/a><\/h4>\n
National Autistic Society – extra help at school<\/a><\/h4>\n