Local autism support
Free autism e-learning
Southampton City Council has worked with Autism Hampshire and local people on the autism spectrum to develop free open access autism e-learning. This is aimed at raising awareness with anyone coming into regular contact with people on the spectrum and their families.
Local autism directory
Southampton, Hampshire, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight have funded a free online directory. It is called The Local Autism Directory (LAD) and its aim is to be a combined approach to deliver support and information to people and families affected by autism.
What is the LAD?
The LAD is a direct response to requests for information from Southampton, Hampshire, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight Local Authorities, to be accessible all in one place.
The LAD contains information and services for children, young people and adults with autism, as well as information for their families and professionals.
What information does it provide?
The LAD provides information about the following:
- Support groups
- Activities
- Schools
- Employment
- Housing
- Local news
- Legal support
- Finances
- Diagnosis
There are also clear, simply written research articles from the Portsmouth University Autism Research Network. These articles contain helpful information and help people to stay up to date with new approaches.
If you are looking for more help, we have a section dedicated to services and charities that can assist with all sorts of issues surrounding both Autism and Asperger's syndrome that can be found in our directory
National Autistic Society
All our work is guided by our vision, mission and values. These have been developed alongside autistic people and family members.
Our vision
A society that works for autistic people.
Our mission
- To transform lives by providing support, information and practical advice for the 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK, as well as their three million family members and carers.
- To change attitudes by improving public understanding of autism and helping businesses, local authorities and government to provide more autism-friendly spaces, deliver better services and improve laws.
Our values
We learn from real experience. We’ve spent over 50 years working together with people on the autism spectrum. No one has more practical knowledge of autism. But we move with the times and we understand that there’s always more to learn.
We tell it like it is. We share what we have learned about autism, so that more people can make informed decisions and lead the best lives possible.
We inspire. We celebrate progress, open up new possibilities, spur people into action and motivate change.
We are courageous. We won’t accept ignorance or inequality, and we’ll never stop pushing for more understanding, greater support and a better world for people on the autism spectrum.
Visit the National Autistic Society website.
Autism Hampshire
Autism Hampshire was founded by the late Mr and Mrs Philip White MBE and a group of local parents of children with autism in Southampton in the late 1960s.
Over the years, the charity has developed and delivers high quality services. These services meet the diverse needs of people on the autism spectrum in Hampshire and the surrounding area. We provide autism-focused training, domiciliary care, supported living services and mentoring. We also have an Information, Advice and Guidance Team that responds to an average of 12,000 requests for help each year.
It is our vision to create a better future for people on the autism spectrum.
It is our mission to create opportunities, challenge perceptions, enhance choices and provide high quality services to meet the diverse needs of people on the autism spectrum.
Through our understanding of autism and the impact it has on the individual, we work with people to help them develop skills and strategies to gain greater control over their lives.
Visit the Autism Hampshire website.
Ambitious about Autism
Ambitious about Autism has launched the UK’s first online platform for autistic young people
This network is a space for autistic young people, between the ages of 16-25 to meet other autistic young people, take on new paid opportunities, and join one of our group panels. The network is a fun and friendly space for autistic young people to be themselves.
Visit the Ambitious about Autism website to access their online support platform.
Further help on the NHS website
Visit the NHS website for help if you or someone you care about is autistic.
