Working with people with autism: health

It’s not always obvious that a person has autism, yet those attending a medical or health appointment are likely to have very specific needs. People with autism may not feel pain, they may find it difficult to tell you what is wrong with them, or they may be extremely uncomfortable with being touched or examined.

Screening and diagnosis: Information to help health professionals with the screening and diagnostic process.
Patients with autism spectrum disorders: guidance for health professionals: Information for health professionals who may come into contact with an adult or child with autism for reasons other than their autism.
Mental health and Asperger syndrome: Information about mental health in people with high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome, with the emphasis on depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder.
Information for general practitioners: Helpful information about autism and Asperger syndrome for GPs.
Dental care and autism: Download a free copy of 'Dental care and autism', a leaflet to help people with autism and dental teams to prepare for a dental visit.

Other items you may find useful

Supporting adults with autism: a good practice guide for NHS and local authorities
A report from our I Exist campaign
National Autism Plan for Children
Guidelines addressing identification, assessment, diagnosis and access to early interventions for pre-school and primary school age children with autism. Published in 2003 in collaboration with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Invisible Families (PDF)
PDF of a booklet outlining the experiences of families from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.
Autism and the Disability Equality Duty (PDF)

Are you a counsellor or psychotherapist?
Do you have experience of working with people with an autistic spectrum disorder and/or their families? The NAS Autism Helpline is compiling a database of counsellors and psychotherapists with an interest in autistic spectrum disorders. Information on this database will be made available to people with an ASD and their families. If you would like your details to be included on this list please email autismhelpline@nas.org.uk for a counselling form. Please entitle your email 'Counselling form'. Alternatively write to: Autism Helpline, 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG.