Support for adults with autism

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people.

Understanding autism

The video below is made from real life stories of adults with autism in Kirklees and aims to address prejudice and promote a better understanding of autism.

Free online courses about autism

To help you learn more about autism the Sparkle website has a big list of free online courses about autism.

Please also see St Clement's Practical Autism Guides for a number of informative films.

Getting a diagnosis

If you are over 18 years of age and think you may be autistic contact your GP to discuss your concerns, they will refer you for a formal assessment if necessary.

Find out how to get diagnosed with autism and how a diagnosis can be helpful.

Autism support services

In Kirklees

Find local Autism support in Kirklees on our Community Directory.
Better in Kirklees service can support you to be active and involved in your community.
Mencap Safe Places Scheme for if you are out in the community and feel scared.
Autism friendly cinema screenings
Out and about Travel training is a service for adults with learning disabilities and autism. The service is for people who want to learn to travel on their own.

Employment support

REAL Employment supports adults (18+) who have learning disabilities and have additional needs such as Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia into volunteering, training and paid employment. We support throughout the application and employment process.

Kirklees Employment Service helps support people living with mental ill health, early onset dementia and those on the autistic spectrum in finding meaningful paid employment, volunteering opportunities, education and training.

Educational support

Special school for autism - Woodley School and College is a local authority special school for children aged 4-19 specialising in autism. The children attending Woodley School all have an Education Health Care plan.
Find schools in Kirklees with specialist educational needs provision.

The annual Kirklees autism show

Autism Show 2020

Thursday 29th April 2020, 10.00am-3.00pm
Textile Centre of Excellence, HD2 1YF
(off Leeds Road, Huddersfield)
FREE admission

The aim of the event is to:

put people in touch with organisations that can help them;
help to develop a better understanding of autism; and
help create a more inclusive local community where everyone is valued equally.

Over 50 organisations offering services and support in Kirklees have stalls at the event providing information and advice for children, young people and adults with autism, parents and professionals.

Autism show 2019

On Wednesday 1 May 2019 Kirklees Council, in partnership with South West Yorkshire NHS Foundation Trust held its sixth annual Autism Show. Autism show evaluation report 2019.

Kirklees Autism Partnership Board

The Kirklees Autism Partnership Board is made up of officers from the council, officers from Job Centre Plus and health professionals working with local autism support groups. The partnership board has the task of ensuring that local strategy is implemented and makes a difference to people's lives.

Kirklees joint autism commissioning strategy 2015-2020

How to contact adult social care services

Gateway to care is the contact for anyone that would like further information or advice on adult social care and support services available in Kirklees.

Contact Gateway to care
01484 414933
Opening times
Monday to Friday: 8am - 5pm
After 5pm - If your call is Urgent you can still telephone 01484 414933 as all calls are diverted to our Emergency Duty Team
gatewaytocare@kirklees.gov.uk
Customer Service Centre, Civic Centre 3, Market Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2YZ

Dementia support in Kirklees

Wellness Service

Adult social care and health