Here at The National Autistic Society, we provide a wide range of support for people with autism and their families, including:

  • Autism Helpline
    Our Autism Helpline provides impartial and confidential information and advice to people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their families.

    Our Helpline advisers are able to talk about the range of ASDs and related issues in depth. We also have a dedicated welfare rights adviser.

    The Helpline can also:
    - provide details of support in your local area
    - send out information packs on ASDs
    - provide information sheets on a variety of key issues related to ASDs
    - offer access to a telephone interpretation service for callers whose first language is not English.

    Tel: 0808 800 4104
    Minicom: 0845 070 4003
    Calls from the UK are charged at local rates (calls from mobile phones may cost more)
    Email: autismhelpline@nas.org.uk
    Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm
    Website: www.autism.org.uk/helpline
  • Parent to Parent line
    Parent to Parent is our 24-hour UK-wide confidential telephone support service, provided by trained parent volunteers who have personal experience of autism and want to do something to support other parents and carers in similar situations. It is primarily a listening service.

    Parents of children or adults with autism can phone the freephone number at any time and leave a message and contact number. A parent volunteer will phone you back as soon as possible.

    Tel: 0800 952 0520
    Website: www.autism.org.uk/p2p
  • Signpost
    Signpost is our personalised online search facility for locating autism services. By completing a user profile on Signpost, people with autism and Asperger syndrome or their families and carers can locate appropriate services, benefits and training according to their personal age, location and diagnosis. Website: www.autism.org.uk/signpost 
  • Befriending
    Our befrienders spend a few hours each week with a child or young person with an ASD, or with their family. Some spend time in the family home; others go out and about. If there is a scheme in your area we will do our best to match you with the right volunteer.

    Contact our Autism Helpline on 0808 800 4104 to find out if there is a befriending scheme in your area. Website: www.autism.org.uk/befriending
  • Out-of-school clubs
    We run out-of-school clubs for children and young people with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism.

    The clubs offer participants the opportunity to join a structured group which meets their individual needs, and provide a safe enviroment for them to socialise in.

    Children and young people accessing the groups have been shown to develop better social skills and increased confidence. Some of the young people have since found employment; others have joined mainstream social and leisure activities.

    Contact our Autism Helpline on 0808 800 4104 for further information about our out-of-school clubs.
  • EarlyBird
    EarlyBird is a three-month training programme for parents and carers of pre-school children, involving group training sessions, individual home visits and ongoing work with the child at home. There is also an EarlyBird Plus programme for parents and carers of children who receive a later diagnosis (4-8 years).

    Contact the EarlyBird Centre on 01226 779218 or earlybird@nas.org.uk to find out if there is a programme near you. Website: www.autism.org.uk/earlybird
  • help! programme
    Our help! programme provides parents and carers with post-diagnostic information, advice and support. The programme comes in different shapes and forms depending on parental need and other local circumstances.

    help! 2 is a series of seminars for parents who have basic knowledge of ASDs but who would like to explore topics, such as managing anger and sensory needs, in more detail.

    Contact our Autism Helpline on 0808 800 4104 for contact details for the help! programme nearest to you. Website: www.autism.org.uk/help!
  • Advocacy for Education Service
    Our UK-wide telephone-based Advocacy for Education Service provides information, support and advice on educational provision and entitlements to help guide parents and carers through education law and what can often be a complex and difficult process. Our trained volunteers also help parents prepare appeals to educational tribunals.

    The service is supported by law firms Clifford Chance LLP, Addleshaw Goddard LLP and Harper Macleod LLP as part of their community affairs commitment.

    Tel: 0845 070 4002
    Email: advocacy@nas.org.uk
    Website: www.autism.org.uk/advocacy
  • Local branches
    We have a growing number of branches around the UK, established and run by volunteers. Branches act as a vital local support for those whose lives are touched by autism, providing information and advice, support for parents and carers, as well as a range of other activities such as workshops and seminars, play schemes and social groups. Our branches are also highly active in fundraising and campaigning for change for people living with autism.

    Contact our Autism Helpline on 0808 800 4104 to find out where your nearest NAS branch is located, or if you are interested in setting up a new branch.