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Assessments and Therapies » NHS referrals for Autism Diagnostic Assessments in Birmingham and Solihull » Support for individuals
You may unfortunately be waiting a long time for an autism assessment, and your GP or the professional who made the referral to us should be able to offer support during this time.
Below are some organisations and resources that you may also find useful.
The National Autistic Society (NAS) website contains lots of useful resources, including an autism services directory.
The information on the NAS website includes both UK-wide and local organisations that specifically meet the needs of autistic people and/or their families.
Particular information of interest may include:
- Stories from autistic people here
- Late diagnosis in women and non-binary people here
The All Age Autism Support Service (AAASS) provides information around services available in an individual's local community.
Categories of information
The categories of information are split into:
- Advocacy
- Autism training and workshops for professionals
- Autistic adults and teenagers
- Education and schools
- Employability support
- Health and wellbeing
- Leisure and recreation
- National charities
- Parents, carers, and children
- Supported living services
This information can be found on the directory website here.
Support services are available in both Birmingham and Solihull.
Events
There is also information on local events you can attend and get involved with here.
This charity provides practical services for both children and adults with a diagnosis of autism, and those who care for them. The charity works across the West Midlands, and their website contains lots of useful information here.
Weekly social groups: The charity offers weekly social groups, which support autistic adults to increase independence and social inclusion while having fun. They also have groups which focus on topics such as dating and relationships, sports or mindfulness.
Befriending service: The Reach Out: Mentoring and Befriending service, which connects an autistic person with a volunteer, to help them engage with their local community, go on outings and develop their social networks. All volunteers are autism trained and receive on-going support and supervision.
This free service is open to people in Birmingham who are up to 30 years of age, but there is currently a waiting list. For more information about the service and how to make a referral, click here.
1-2-1 Specialist Support: The charity also offers 1-2-1 support, on a weekly basis, for a £28 per hour charge. There is a waiting list to access this service. Click here for more information.
Autism West Midlands provide support and services for autistic adults, children and those who love and care for them.
Their volunteers support autistic people to live as independent lives as possible in residential care or at home. They also offer community-based services, a helpline, advice and support sessions for families and carers, and provide training.
Their website contains lots of useful information for autistic adults, focusing on topic such as diagnosis, support – including information about Personal Independent Payments, managing stress in daily life and dating and relationships.
Their helpline welcomes calls from people to discuss concerns they have about autism (before and after diagnosis). The service can provide information about autism and local support services.
To contact the helpline call:0121 450 7575 or email:info@autismwestmidlands.org.uk.
The charity also offers community services, including social groups, in both Birmingham and Solihull.
The Waiting Room is a one-stop shop for information on health and wellbeing services across Birmingham and Solihull. The autism listings are available here.
Please note: Formal diagnosis is often not required to access support, but this does depend on what is needed.
Everyone can feel tired and burnt out from time to time, but autistic people may feel this more because of sensory overload and social pressures.
Monitoring how your energy shifts before and after an assessment can help you avoid burnout. To manage your mental well-being, it is helpful to:
1. Set limits and reduce other people’s expectations of you
2. Balance activities, so you have time for hobbies and things that energise you, as well as rest and relaxation
Helpful information on autistic fatigue and burnout is available on the National Autistic Society website here.
Understanding your rights and knowing how to advocate for yourself is really important. Whether you are seeking support in education, employment, healthcare, or daily living, it is useful to be able to effectively communicate your needs, access essential resources, and ensure that your rights are respected.
Here are some advocacy tips which may help you:
Educate yourself
- Understand Your Rights, including key laws such as the Equality Act 2010, and Autism Act 2009 (more information below).
- Explore local services and support available in your area, including health, social care, and educational services.
Keep records
- It can be useful to keep track of all communications, meetings, and assessments you have, including emails, letters, and notes from phone calls.
- Ensure you have copies of all relevant medical and educational records as you may need them in the future
Build a support network
- It can be really beneficial to look outside of your family unit and connect with local or online support groups for autistic individuals and their families.
Communication tips
- Be Clear and Concise: When communicating with service providers or healthcare professionals, be clear about your needs and the support you are seeking.
Keep up to date
- Stay informed about changes in laws, policies, and services that may affect you.
The rights of individuals with autism are protected under various laws, including:
Equality Act 2010 - The Equality Act protects autistic individuals from discrimination in various settings, including employment, businesses, and public services. The Equality Act states that employers and service providers must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate autistic individuals.
Human Rights Act 1998 - The Human Rights Act protects the rights and freedoms of everyone in the UK. Some of these are particularly relevant for people with autism, including article 14 which relates to protection from discrimination.
Autism Act 2009 - The Autism Act 2009 is a key piece of UK legislation, specifically aimed at addressing the needs and challenges faced by adults with autism. It is notable for being the first ever disability-specific law in England. The Act requires the government to create a national autism strategy which guides both local authorities and NHS bodies on how to best support autistic adults. It also mandates that public service staff receive regular training to improve their understanding of autism and enhance the support they provide.
More information can be found on the Autism Alliance website.