Autism

On this page you will find resources, information  and groups to support autistic residents. This information is also beneficial for family members, carers, friends, professionals, local business and the general public interested in finding out about autism. 

• All autistic adults are entitled to a Social Care Assessment, if they have a formal diagnosis. You can self-refer to the Newham Diagnostic Service for an autism assessment or ask a health professional to refer you e.g. your GP.

• Peer support groups have been set up to support local autistic residents to meet with like-minded autistic people in a non-judgemental, friendly and open space, please join us in an upcoming group. Email Autism.Commissioning@newham.gov.uk to register.

1. Autistic, in work and managing work related anxieties (online)
2. Men’s autistic peer support group (online)
3. Open autistic peer support group (in-person)
4. Carers of autistic people support group (in-person)

• The Autism Diagnostic Service have created an Autism Information and Resource Pack and understanding-autism resource that can be found on the right of this page

• A monthly Autism Newsletter is available highlighting key local and national information – found on the right of this page. This includes the latest research, surveys, engagements & events, paid opportunities, tic toc, social media and other resources.

• A WhatsApp Autism group is also available for those who want to keep in touch by phone to receive reminders of event or activities. Sign up by emailing Autism.Commissioning@newham.gov.uk

• An Autism Residents Advisory Group (ARAG) has been set up to help shape the Autism Action Plan, share information and co-design future services in Newham. If you want to be part of shaping autism services in the future please join this group here.  

If you would like to set up a support group or know of any other autism support services that you would like to share please email us directly and we can support you and include the service on this page.

We are also looking for autism champions in the community. If you have some availability to help build an autism friendly community please email us on Autism.Commissioning@newham.gov.uk.

We would welcome anyone who has a passion to support autistic residents including parent, carers, family and friends general public, teachers and other professionals and local business.

Below, we recommend three items which an autistic person may benefit from having on their person either when out and about or when seeing a health or other professional.

1. Autism Health Passport

The National Autistic Society Autism Health Passport is designed to help autistic people to communicate their needs to doctors, nurses and other health& care professionals. It is a quick and easy way to tell health and social care staff more information about you to help them give you good care and treatment.

The NHS endorse the use of a Health and Care Passport, more information in an easy read format can be found here.

If you are autistic and would like an autism health passport you can download it here.

2.  Autism Alert Card  

The National Autistic Society Autism Alert Card is a national ID card that is designed specifically for autistic people to carry to let people know that you are autistic and that you might need some extra time or help in certain situations.                                                                                 

Benefits of the Autism Alert Card:                                                                                                            

• Helps emergency services and other organisations to recognise they are dealing with someone who has Autism  
• Helps the holder to feel safe and more confident when out and about                                                                                                                                                              
• Promotes better all round management of issues and situations involving people with Autism                  
• Helps raise awareness of Autism amongst professionals and the Criminal Justice System.   

3. Sunflower Lanyard: Hidden Disabilities

In Newham we do not consider autism as a disability, however many organisations will still classify autism as a disability in order to access support and services as defined by the law e.g. Equality Act 2010.

The Sunflower Lanyard is an internationally recognised brand which aims to highlight hidden disabilities, including Autism.  By wearing this lanyard it will let people know that you might need extra help, understanding or just more time. 

Westfield and many of the larger local supermarkets in Newham offer free sunflower lanyards to residents.

If you are autistic (or have a hidden disability) and would find it helpful to wear a sunflower lanyard and autism card they can be purchased here.

More information

For young people with Autism, please see our Preparing for Adulthood section for information on:

• Support groups
• Employment
• Social and leisure services.

Find out about services available for children and young people with special educational needs as part of the Newham local offer.