Autism
Getting help
Schools and settings implement early support as part of their Special Educational Needs (SEN) Offer.
The offer of support from schools and settings is described in the ordinarily available provision page.
- 0 to 5 offer of training
- ADAPT: After Diagnosis of Autism Parent support Training
- Autism Education Trust (AET)
- Community support
- Autism Central
- Early Help
- Early Help advice and support for professionals
- Early Help Short Breaks offer
- Educational Psychology Service
- Health Visitors
- Learning Support Hub
- Portage team and Early Support Coordinator
- School Wellbeing Service
- Social prescriber
- York Inspirational Kids All About Autism
0 to 5 offer of training
‘Beyond Diagnosis’ is the post diagnosis training from Speech and Language Therapists and Specialist teachers. Find out more about training and advice.
Find out more about the Specialist Teaching Team and Learning Support Hub.
ADAPT: After Diagnosis of Autism Parent support Training
This resource is for parent carers of children and young people who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and for those whose child is awaiting assessment. It is designed to be an updated and improved online version of the previous Brief ASCEND course and has been co-produced by the CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and CYC (City of York Council) Specialist Teaching Team in York.
Read more on the Recovery College website.
Autism Education Trust (AET)
City of York Council has a partnership with the AET to support our training offer for parents and families as well as to practitioners in settings in Early Years, primary, secondary and post-16.
Find out more on the Learning Support Hub page.
Community support
Find out more about community support.
Autism Central
Autism Central is a peer support programme commissioned by NHS England. Our programme delivers accessible education to families and carers of autistic people. We offer group events, one-to-one support sessions and online resources, all helping to build an understanding of autism. All aspects of the Autism Central programme are free.
On Friday 24 October 2025 they will be starting the delivery of one-to-one support sessions. Book your one-to-one support with Autism Central.
They are also already delivering online group events. View all upcoming events (including groups of 10 people and over taking place next week).
For further support, you can also browse our online resources here:
Early Help
Early Help is all about providing the right support to children and families at the earliest possible time; it brings together workers who can support the whole family to try and improve things for everyone.
Find out more on the Raise York website.
Early Help advice and support for professionals
Early Help advice and support is available from the City of York Council. Read more about Early Help for families.
Early Help Short Breaks offer
Short Breaks help children and young people with disabilities, as part of a regular and supported package of care for them and their family. A diagnosis is needed to access this service.
Educational Psychology Service
Working to improve the educational outcomes, emotional well-being and personal development of children and young people through the use of psychology. The Educational Psychology service work with children and young people, in partnership with parent carers and staff, in a variety of educational settings including pre-schools, schools and colleges.
Health Visitors
Health visitors are qualified nurses or midwives with specialist training in public health for children, young people and families. Health visitor’s additional public health training enables them to effectively promote good health and prevent illness through assessing the health needs of individuals, families and the wider community.
Learning Support Hub
The Learning Support Hub is the city’s central point for supporting mainstream settings, and provides
- early and accurate identification of needs
- high-quality teaching of a knowledge-rich curriculum
- prompt access to targeted support where it is needed
As part of the Learning Support Hub’s offer in the city there is a Universal Offer, which includes workshops, training courses, drop-in and phone lines to support families and settings. Find out more about training and advice.
Portage team and Early Support Coordinator
A home visiting educational teaching service for pre-school children with disabilities and special educational needs.
Read more about the Learning Support Hub.
School Wellbeing Service
The School Wellbeing Service (SWS) is a school based early intervention mental health (MH) support service. It is jointly funded by Health, local authority and schools. The aim of the service is to work within educational settings to strengthen and improve the emotional and mental health support arrangements for children and young people. This is done using a universal, targeted and specialist offer.
Social prescriber
Social prescribers work closely with the NHS and other health and care services, to provide support that helps improve your health and wellbeing.
York Inspirational Kids All About Autism
York Inspirational Kids All About Autism offers support to families and social groups for children and young people both after school and in school holidays.