Autism is a life-long developmental condition affecting how individuals living with autism communicate, interact with others and how they interpret or experience the world around them.

People living with autism may:

  • not be able to communicate verbally
  • have need for structure and/or routine
  • display behaviour which may challenge
  • experience sensory difficulties which may result in meltdowns or shutdowns
  • display or engage in repetitive behaviour
  • passionately engage in special interests

Autism and ADHD support in North Central London

To mark World Mental Health Day (10th October 2025), the NHS North Central London Neurodevelopmental Programme has launched a new website to help families find trusted information, local services, and practical advice about autism and ADHD.

The website was co-produced with parents, carers, young people, and professionals to ensure it reflects real experiences and meets real needs. It provides clear guidance on local pathways and assessments, practical tools to help families understand neurodiversity, personal stories from families and professionals to reduce stigma, and signposting to mental health and wellbeing support for children, young people, and their carers.

Every year, lots of families face long waiting times and complex referral pathways which can leave children and their carers feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Children with neurodevelopmental differences are also more likely to experience mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or social isolation.

The new website aims to make it easier for families to navigate services, access timely support, and feel understood.

By bringing together information, tools, and personal experiences in one accessible place, the website also helps professionals guide families more effectively, reduce duplication, and improve overall outcomes for children and young people.

Families, professionals, and community partners are encouraged to explore the website and share feedback to help shape future improvements.

Visit the website: https://londonwaitingroom.nhs.uk/autism-adhd-support-ncl

Autism Together has created this short immersive video below, filmed from a first-person perspective, to give the viewer an idea of what it might be like for a person with autism who experiences auditory, physical or visual hypersensitivity in their sensory processing, in experiencing noisy, busy, everyday environments.

Croydon Drop In created ‘A For Autism’ - a beautifully illustrated guide specifically written for practitioners, parents and people who care about children and young people with autism. It is a practical handbook that shares learning, helps answer some of the questions people may have previously been afraid to ask, and provides tools, resources and ideas.

Autism Together has created this short immersive video below, filmed from a first-person perspective, to give the viewer an idea of what it might be like for a person with autism who experiences auditory, physical or visual hypersensitivity in their sensory processing, in experiencing noisy, busy, everyday environments.

Ambitious about Autism has created the ‘Transition to Employment’ toolkit, developed to support those working with young people with autism to understand their needs and help them onto the job ladder, or into further training or education.

The toolkit includes resources for employers, post-16 careers and employability professionals and for young people with autism themselves.

Visit the website Transition to employment toolkit | Ambitious about Autism for details.

With the help of people with autism and their families, the National Autistic Society has created some handy tips for support.