Support for adults with autism

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.

COVID-19 guidance and resources

• Coronavirus - National Autistic Society - resources and tips for autistic people and families
• COVID-19: Supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities

Free online courses about autism

• Sparkle: A Big List of Free Online Courses about Autism
• St Clement's Practical Autism Video Guides

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.
• 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.

National support

• National autistic society
• Specialist autism service
• Ambitious about autism
• AUTISTICA
• Autism Support

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.

Hospital support

My health passport is a resource for people with autism who might need hospital treatment.

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 and Care Plan Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
• Special educational settings

The annual Kirklees autism show

• On Wednesday 29 April 2020 Kirklees Council, held its seventh annual Autism Show virtually. You can still visit the show and access the full range information and support available. A show was not held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but we hope to be back in 2022.

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.