The following websites contain information about autism for autistic people, their support networks, carers, professionals, and those who wish to learn more.
The Autism Information and Advice Service
The Autism Information and Advice Service provides accessible information about autism and the support and services available locally. Anybody can access the service including autistic people, those awaiting an autism diagnosis, those who self-identify as being an autistic person, their families, friends, carers, support networks, professionals, and anybody else who would like to learn more about autism or local autism provision.
The service provides a series of in-person drop-in events across Derbyshire and Derby. It also hosts the local Autism Alliance where members of the autistic community, their families, friends, and carers, along with professionals, can come together, share their experiences of autism and feed into the development of autism services in Derby and Derbyshire. It also provides support and training for local professionals and businesses seeking to develop their understanding of autism or to support autistic employees.
The Derbyshire Autism Information and Advice Service is free and available to residents of Derbyshire and Derby. It's provided by Citizen's Advice Mid-Mercia:
The Autism Information and Advice Service also offers a free half day autism awareness course for professionals based in Derbyshire. Visit the Autism Information and Advice Service on Eventbrite to view a list of upcoming events, or book onto an online Autism Awareness course.
Derbyshire Empowerment, Support and Education Service
The Derbyshire Autism Empowerment, Support and Education Service provides:
- one-to-one empowerment and support for autistic people
- education for autistic people, their families, carers, and support networks
The one-to-one empowerment and support part of the service offers short term flexible and goal orientated support that is tailored around individual's needs. It's available to all Derbyshire residents aged 16 years old or over, who already have an autism diagnosis, are awaiting an autism diagnosis or who self-identify as being an autistic person.
Support will be provided by experienced neurodivergent specialists who can help with challenges such as low self-esteem, managing stress and navigating social situations or sensory issues.
The education element of the service provides access to a 6-week online programme for autistic people and their families, support networks and carers. The course is delivered by neurodivergent specialists and covers topics such as understanding autism and self-identity, daily management skills and understanding reasonable adjustments. There is also a specialist 'learn, connect and build confidence' course available to young people aged 16 to 18 years old.
The Derbyshire Empowerment, Support and Education Service is free and available to residents of Derbyshire and Derby. It's provided by a partnership consisting of Autism and Neurodiversity Coaching (ANC), Wellbeing Whizz, The Alex Manners and CM Training.
For more information, email referrals@derbyshireautismese.co.uk.
Autism peer educators for families, carers and personal assistants of autistic people
Specialist hubs are available offering guidance to families, carers and personal assistants of autistic people. All sessions are run by peer educators who are parents or carers of autistic people that are happy to share their knowledge and experience with others. They offer group and one-to-one sessions to help people find the information and services available in their area such as workshops, drop-in sessions, coffee mornings or virtual meet-ups.
The hubs are part of national programme hosted by Autism Central that are delivered locally by Contact and Ambitious about Autism.
Autism East Midlands
Autism East Midlands have lots of information about autism as well as support services for autistic adults and children. The website also includes details of specialist local events and training.
For more information:
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust provide health services to children and families, people with a learning disability, people experiencing mental health issues, and people with substances misuse needs. Telephone: 01332 623700.
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society have lots of information to support autistic people, including an online community where people can chat and share ideas. They also have a helpline offering specialist advice:
NHS
The NHS has a wide range of information about autism on their website.
Information for schools
Schools and maintained early years settings can refer to Inclusion Support Advisory Service (ISAS)for advice around individual pupils and training.
The Derbyshire Autism Partnership Board
The Derbyshire Autism Partnership Board brings together autistic people, their parents, carers, the voluntary sector, local health and social care professionals, local authorities, and other services to work with commissioners to develop and improve services for autistic people of all ages across Derbyshire and Derby, as well as to raise awareness of autism, and to support the delivery of the action plan for the Derbyshire Health and Social Care All Age Autism Strategy 2023 to 2028.
The Derbyshire Autism Partnership Board meets over Microsoft Teams 4 times per year and is looking to engage further with autistic people, their families, carers, and support networks.
For more information, email asch.ac-commissioning@derbyshire.gov.uk.
The board worked together to create leaflets and posters to help other professionals, employers, and anyone else with an interest to better understand autism. The leaflets and posters are attached to this page:
- understanding autism
- understanding autism ageing
- top tips for communication with someone with autism (poster)
- small changes can make a big difference to someone with autism (poster)
You can order printed copies by email adultcare.info@derbyshire.gov.uk.
Experts by Experience meetings
In conjunction with the Derbyshire Autism Partnership Board, there is an Experts by Experience meeting. In the context of this meeting, an Expert by Experience can be described an autistic person, someone who has personal experience of autism, or someone who provides care or support to an autistic person.
These meetings are a safe space for Experts by Experience to meet and discuss issues that they would like to raise at the Autism Partnership Board. Professionals can attend these meetings by invite for discussion or feedback.
These meetings are held over Microsoft Teams 4 times per year, and they are facilitated by the integrated care board (ICB).
For more information, email asch.ac-commissioning@derbyshire.gov.uk.