Toolkits and guides

Autistica 

Autistica is the UK’s leading autism research and campaigning charity. They have developed a resource to help professionals better support autistic children and young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

Download the resource or find out more on the Autistica website.

National Autistic Society

The National Autistic Society is the UKs leading charity for autistic people and their families. The provide advice and guidance, and campaign for the rights of autistic people. They offer support for professionals such as:

  • Professional practice: selection of articles and opinion pieces written by professionals and autistic people who share their knowledge, good practice, research and advice for anyone working with autistic people. 
  • Good practice guide: guide for professionals delivering talking therapies for autistic adults and children.
  • Autism know how: diagnostic services, training, accreditation, consultancy and conferences, designed to support all professionals and organisations working with autistic people.

Find out more on the National Autistic Society website.

National Development Team for Inclusion

The National Development Team for Inclusion have developed a guide called 'It's not rocket science'. This guide includes recommendations for CAMHS services to meet sensory needs of autistic children and young people in inpatient services.

Access the guide or find out more on the National Development Team for Inclusion website.

NHS England

NHS England have developed a guides for NHS staff in how to support autistic people, such as: 

Find out more on the NHS England autism webpage.

Options Autism

Options Autism provides care and education for autistic children and young people and offer resources such as helpsheets, information and advice to carers and professionals.

Access the resources or find out more on the Options Autism website.

Training courses

Future Learn & The University of Kent

Future Lean and the University of Kent have developed a free, online CPD-certified course to understand more about autism from autistic perspectives. This includes information on:

  • What is autism
  • Social communication skills
  • Sensory sensitivities and repetitive behaviours
  • Co-occurring conditions
  • Strengths and challenges of autistic people
  • Lived experiences of autistic people

Access the training or browse more training courses on the Future Learn website.

NHS England: Oliver McGowan Training

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is a free e-learning course for health and social care staff to have better skills, knowledge and understanding of the needs for autistic people and people with a learning disability.

Access the training if you have an E-Learning For Health Care (ELFH) account or find out more on the NHS England Oliver McGowan Training page.

Royal College of General Practitioners 

The Royal College of General Practitioners have developed a free online course for members. This course enables you to improve the care you and your practice provide for autistic patients and to understand the challenges autistic people face.

Access the training or find out more about other training courses on the Royal College of General Practitioners training website. 

For more helplines and support, visit the ZSA occupations support pages.