Hounslow Youth Counselling Service

If you think a child has been abducted
Contact the police immediately.
Call 999 if you think they are in immediate danger. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service. 

Otherwise call 101 or report a crime online.

CHILD LAW ADVICE
The Child Law Advice Service provides legal advice and information on family, child and education law affecting children and families in England. This service is provided via this website packed with how to guides and information pages. 

LAWSTUFF
LawStuff provides free legal information to children and young people.

MET POLICE ADVICE - Parental Child Abduction
Use link above to access a prevention and reporting guide.

REUNITE INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION CENTRE
01162 556234
The leading UK charity specialising in international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders.  Operate the only telephone advice line in the UK offering practical, impartial advice, information and support to parents, family members and guardians who are involved in cases of international parental child abduction –  including those who have had their child abducted, or who may have abducted their child.

999 
If you are in imminent danger and need the support of emergency services, please call 999.

If you are too scared to speak or make a noise, the Silent Solution system enables a 999 mobile caller to press 55 when prompted – to inform police they are in a genuine emergency.

CHILDLINE
0800 1111
Childline is a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help - online, on the phone, anytime. Watch this video to find out more about talking to Childline. 

INTO THE LIGHT
info@intothelight.org.uk
An organisation providing counselling, information, support and resources for people who have experienced child sexual abuse and for those who support them.

ONE IN FOUR
One in Four specialise in supporting childhood survivors and current survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence, abuse and trauma and raising awareness of this challenging issue. They provide counselling, advocacy, resources (link here) and a helpline

LUCY FAITHFUL FOUNDATION
0808 1000 900
Confidential helpline available from this UK charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse who work with all those . affected including adult abusers; young people with harmful sexual behaviour; children with concerning sexual behaviours; victims of abuse and other family members. 

Offer online courses for anyone arrested, cautioned or convicted for internet offences involving indecent images of children or sexual communications with children, to help them stop their behaviour: Inform Plus (Inform Plus aims to help prevent viewing indecent images of children) and Engage Plus (aims to help prevent sexual communication with children). 

NSPCC - Dedicated Support Line ‘Report Abuse in Education’ 
0800 136 663, help@nspcc.org.uk.  
A dedicated NSPCC Helpline 'Report Abuse in Education' for victims of sexual abuse to provide support, advice and onward action including contacting professionals or the police if they wish. The line is open to children, young people and adult victims of sexual abuse and can also provide support to parents and professionals too. 

NAPAC
0808 801 0331
support@napac.org.uk
Offer support to adult survivors of childhood abuse.  

STOP IT NOW
0808 1000 900
A child protection charity, working to prevent child sexual abuse. We help adults to do their part to stop child sexual abuse by addressing personal, family and community concerns.  Offer a confidential helpline, live chat and secure messaging service for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse and its prevention – whether they’re worried about their own thoughts, feelings and behaviour, or about another adult or young person.  Callers do not need to give identifying information, so can remain anonymous. 

SURVIVORS' GATEWAY (London)
0808 801 0860
The London Survivors' Gateway offers victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse aged 13+ help to access specialist services in London.  It provides information on what help is available after rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse or any form of sexual violence and offer support to access these services. They work with anyone aged 13 or above regardless of gender, sexuality, disability, language, ethnicity or immigration status.  If you are a survivor and would like to access their service, please complete an online self-referral form.

SURVIVORS IN TRANSITION
07765 052282/01473 232499
Support for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.  Resources include survivors guides such as:

- Self Help Guide for Men who have been sexually abused 

- Self Help Guide for Women who have been sexually abused

SURVIVORS' TRUST
08088 010818
The Survivors' Trust is the largest umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK and produces a wide range of resources including: 

- Regional Services directory
Find support services in your area.

- Check with Me First Video

Raises awareness of the challenges that survivors of sexual abuse face when accessing healthcare services, and to promote a trauma-informed approach to the provision of care for service users.

- Grounding Techniques Booklet (Download)
Ideas on how to cope with flashbacks and distress for survivors.

- Survivors' Trust & Brook - Tips for Young People A guide for survivors of sexual
abuse, assault and trauma A guide for people who have been affected by sexual violence or abuse to offer tips about accessing sexual health services. Click here to take a look.

- Survivors' Trust - Guides for LGBT+ Survivors
A range of guides for LGBT+ survivors affected by rape, sexual assault and/or sexual abuse.

VICTIM SUPPORT
Emotional and practical support for anyone affected by a crime regardless of whether the crime has been reported to the police.

Free, confidential support 24/7, not only for those who experience it directly, but also their friends, family and any other people involved. It doesn’t matter when the crime took place – you can get our support at any time, and for however long you need us.

WOMEN & GIRLS' NETWORK
0808 801 0660 
advice@wgn.org.uk
WGN are a free service run by women, for women in London who have been affected by all forms of violence and abuse.

The Young Women's Service works to create safe and confidential spaces to get support. If you are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing any form of violence against women and girls (VAWG) contact WGN to get support. 

ADOPTION UK
0300 666 0006
Support from childhood into adulthood, for everyone who can't grow up in their birth families and for anyone considering adopting or currently adopting.

CHILDLINE - Being Adopted
Information and support for young people who have been adopted - finding out you have been adopted, what to do if you feel you don't fit in or are being bullied, and support if you are thinking about contacting your biological parents.

FIRST4ADOPTION
National information service for people interested in adopting a child in England. We give clear and impartial information about adopting and can put you in touch with adoption agencies in your area.

ADOPTION SEARCH REUNION 
A website for anyone thinking about searching for or making contact with birth and adopted relatives or researching an adoption that took place in the UK.  

What is Advocacy?
Simply put, advocacy is about helping people speak for themselves and getting support from another person to help you express your views and wishes; it can help you to stand up for your rights.

An advocate is someone who helps you in this way, helping you to make decisions for yourself. 

MenCAP 
Mencap support anyone with learning disabilities and although they do not offer an advocacy service if you contact their Learning Disability Helpline we may be able to put you in touch with someone who does.

MIND - Adult Advocacy Services (18+)
Read more about advocacy in mental health and hope it may support you at the MIND website. Explains what advocacy is and how it can help you. Gives information on different types of advocacy, including statutory advocates, what sort of situations an advocate can help you with, and how to find an advocate.

Watch MIND's video about Advocacy -  click here.

Download MIND's Young Person's Guide to Advocacy - click here. (for under 18's). 

NYAS - National Youth Advisory Service
0808 808 1001, help@nyas.net
NYAS champion and support the voices and rights of care experienced children and young people. Provides a wide range of support, advice and information including free helpline.  

POhWER
A charity who provide information, advice, support and advocacy to people who experience disability, vulnerability, distress and social exclusion. POhWER's qualified professional advocates support children and young people in England through a range of services.

They work face to face with children and young people who are receiving treatment on a mental health unit - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). Our CAMHS advocacy support is provided within both private and NHS hospitals across the country. Young people can refer themselves to the service or speak to the advocate during a regular drop in.

RETHINK - About Advocacy
'Advocacy is having someone by your side, and on your side, when you want to be more involved in decisions about your care, treatment and living arrangements. An advocate can stand by you, and stand up for you, when important decisions are being made about your care, treatment and the way you live your life. They can help you understand your rights and options, and then support you in expressing your views and wishes to the relevant services. They can also speak up on your behalf if that’s what you want.' 

VOICEABILITY
0300 303 1660
helpline@voiceability.org
Voiceability is an independent charity who support people to be heard in decisions about their health, care and wellbeing. They are one of the UK's largest providers of advocacy and involvement services.

ADFAM
020 7553 7640
Support for people with a family member who takes drugs or alcohol, helping to find local support groups.

AL ANON FAMILY GROUPS
020 7403 0888
Confidential helpline and support for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else's drinking

AL ANON HELPLINE
0800 0086 811
Free call, 7 days a week. 

ALATEEN 
Alateen is for teenage relatives and friends of alcoholics. Alateen is part of Al-Anon.

DRINKAWARE
Information and advice.

DRINKLINE
0300 123 1110
A confidential helpline for anyone concerned about their own or another's drinking.  They can help you to locate a local service.

DRUGFAM
0300 888 3853
Provides a  7-day-a-week lifeline of safe, caring and professional support to families, friends, partners and significant others who are struggling to cope with a loved one’s addiction to drugs, alcohol or gambling. They also support those bereaved by drugs, alcohol, gambling and related causes.

Through a range of services, which also include education and awareness, they support families to break free from the cycle of addiction and rebuild their lives.

FRANK
0800 776600
or text phone for hard of hearing to 0800 917 8765
frank@talktofrank.com
'Honest information about drugs' - Talk to Frank for facts, support and confidential advice on drugs and alcohol.

NACOA
0800 358 3456
National Association for Children of Alcoholics offers information, advice and support to children of any age of alcohol dependent parents. 

TALK ABOUT ALCOHOL
Run by The Alcohol Education Trust (AET).  for use by young people in a classroom setting as part of PSHE lessons on alcohol.  It is designed mainly for Key stage 3.

UK DETOX
0800 19 33  776
UK Detox are here to ensure yourself or a loved one are supported fully throughout the rehabilitation process. Whether you are continuing to overcome your drug or alcohol addiction, or seeking guidance post relapse we are here to guide you throughout the entire process.

WE ARE WITH YOU
Offer free, confidential support with alcohol, drugs or mental health - help for you, or if you are worried about someone else. Access their alcohol toolkit and other resources.

Alexythymia refers to difficulties in identifying, understanding and describing emotions.  It is thought to be a common difficulty estimated to impact around 10% of the general population.

You may also find it useful to check out resources in the HYCS A-Z Directory under A for Autism Spectrum.

Autistica
Information about alexythymia which is thought to impact around 20% of individuals with autism.

ALLERGY UK
01322 619898
Support for people living with allergy. Helpline and live chat options available. 

ANAPHALAXIS UK
01252 542029
Supports people at risk of severe allergies.

ASTHMA UK
Information and advice about Asthma including allergic asthma. 'Allergic (or atopic) asthma is asthma that’s triggered by allergens like pollen, pets and dust mites'. 

NHS - Hayfever Advice

NHS - Anaphalaxis Information
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.*

SPARE PENS IN SCHOOL
Offer training, information and advice about Anaphalaxis including training on use of Auto-injector pens.   Advice for parents, professionals and young people including a guide to Anaphalaxis for school children (link to this above in headline).

You may also find it helpful to look at other sections of this Directory including H for Hair/Hair Loss.

ALOPECIA UK
Support, advice and practical information for anyone affected by alopecia.

LITTLE PRINCESS TRUST 
Wig requests - 01432 760060
General Enquiries - 01432 352359
The Little Princess Trust provides free real hair wigs to children and young people, up to 24 years, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

MALE SURVIVORS' NETWORK - Self Help Guide to Anger
Download this handy leaflet using the link above to help you understand and manage anger.

MIND - How to Control Your Anger
Explains anger, some possible causes and how it can make you feel and act. There's practical suggestions for what you can do and where you can go for support. This includes advice for friends and family.

YOUNG MINDS
Download the free Young Minds' Guide to Anger.
Understand more about your triggers and why you feel angry - it's the first step to figuring out what is causing it, and finding a way to make things better.    

BOOK SUGGESTIONS:
The Secret Lives of Men - James Hawes

Author James Hawes is on a mission to help men to develop emotional fitness.  Described as a 'toolbox for men', it includes 50 practical tips to build emotional muscles, info' on what other men think and feel and tips on improving relationships. Order from Amazon here.

NHS Self Help Guide - Problems With Anger Booklet
A self-help guide based on CBT principles which is intended for people with mild-to-moderate problems with anger.

"Anxiety and fear are cousins but not twins. Fear sees a threat. Anxiety imagines one." - Max Lucado

If you experience anxiety, you may also find it helpful to look at other resources including under P for Panic in this directory and other HYCS' resources in our self help hub including:

- Calming and Grounding Techniques 
- Worry Buster Techniques
- Calm Breathing Pocket Guide Leaflet

ANXIETY UK
03444 775 774 or text 07537 416 905
Promotes the relief and rehabilitation of persons suffering from agoraphobia and associated anxiety disorders, phobias and conditions.

CHILDLINE - Calmzone
A range of activities and tools including breathing exercises to help you feel better when you're feeling anxious, scared or sad.

CLEAR FEAR
Clear Fear is an App to help you tackle anxiety.  Check out the Clear Fear app in the HYCS App Zone. 

NO PANIC
Main Helpline (20+ years):0300 772 9844
Youth Helpline (13-20 years) 0333 772 2644
Panic Crisis Guided Relaxation Message - 01952 680835 - 24 hours  
Charity providing information, support & care for those who experience anxiety, panic, phobia and OCD.

NHS - Anxiety & Panic Attacks
Information about types of anxiety and how to cope with symptoms.

ROSEMARY BIRAGHI - Qi Gong for Anxiety, Trauma Release and Recovery Video
Easy to follow exercise support video with Qi Gong practitioner Rosemary Biraghi. 

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS' LEAFLETS
- Anxiety: for young people
- Anxiety and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Advice and information leaflets available on a range of mental health issues.

STEM 4 - How to Be Brave Guides

- How to Be Brave (A Guide for Young People)
Trying new things can be daunting but there are ways to recognise and manage fears and move past them.   Read this guide to find out more.
- How to Be Brave - School and College Edition
- How to Be Brave When Entering a New Chapter

TRIUMPH OVER PHOBIA (TOP) UK 01225 571740
Charity for people with phobias or OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

FIND AN APPRENTICESHIP 
Search and apply for an apprenticeship in England using this link.

FIRE IT UP - National Apprenticeship Service
08000 150 400
Twitter - @Apprenticeships or @FireItUp_Apps
Find out what you need to do to become an apprentice.  

INSTITUTE FOR APPRENTICESHIPS & TECHNIAL INFORMATION
Check here to find out about new apprenticeship standards

CSR
A leading scientific training provider, CSR support apprenticeships in science and healthcare settings. Read more about their support for apprentices.

MY BIG CAREER
A charity dedicated to providing careers advice and support to young people, from disadvantaged backgrounds.  If you are aged 16-21 and would like to speak to someone about your educational or employment pathways such as help creating a good application for an an apprenticeship or creating a CV contact MyBigCareer - simply fill in a form on their website to request help. 

UCAS - Getting Ahead with Degree Apprenticeships
Listen to UCAS' live studio podcasts about all things degree apprenticeships, including how they differ from traditional degrees, why you might be suitable for one, and where they're available.

AVEN - Asexual Visibility and Education Network
AVEN offers 'a large archive of resources on asexuality. AVEN strives to create open, honest discussion about asexuality among sexual and asexual people alike.'

'Unlike celibacy, which is a choice to abstain from sexual activity, asexuality is an intrinsic part of who we are, just like other sexual orientations. Asexual people have the same emotional needs as everybody else and are just as capable of forming intimate relationships.'

STONEWALL - Six Ways to Be An Ally to Asexual People
Information about the asexuality spectrum.  
Key terms: 
'Somebody who is asexual does not experience sexual attraction to anyone.'

'A grey-asexual (grey ace/grey-a) person may experience sexual attraction very rarely or only under specific circumstances.'

'Demi-sexual people only experience sexual attraction after developing a strong emotional bond with someone.'

GENERAL: ABOUT ASSERTIVENESS 
Using assertiveness is a positive way to communicate.  It helps you to explain your viewpoint in awkward situations in a calm, confident and controlled way; being firm but also balanced.

It involves respecting yourself and your rights but also being respectful towards others too.  So it's very different from getting aggressive (ie being pushy and rude, swearing at, intimidating or putting others down) or being passive (ie. going along with things to avoid conflict or stress and ending up feeling upset or taken advantage of).  

Assertiveness skills can help you to feel heard, reduce stress, and resolve difficulties with friends, families and beyond. The more you practice the easier it will become. 

CHILDLINE - About Assertiveness
Article about assertiveness and ways to build your assertiveness skills.

KIDS HELPLINE - Being Assertive and Managing Boundaries
Advice on handling tricky situations assertively. 

ASTHMA UK - 0300 222 5800
Speak to an asthma expert nurse for free advice or visit the website for information.

You may also find it useful to look at other resources in the Directory including L for Learning Support and N for Neurodiversity. 

ADDISS
020 8952 2800
Provides people-friendly information and resources about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to anyone who needs assistance.

ADDitude
Digital and hard copy magazine with training and information on all aspects of ADHD and ADD.  Sign up for free email version and access to free webinars.

ADDitude: ADHD in Women
Click above for link to article about ADHD in women.

ADHD FOUNDATION
The neurodiversity charity.

ADHD UK
Run by and for people with ADHD offering support and information for individuals plus those supporting them at home, work and school including practical information about diagnosis, reasonable adjustments and more.
Useful link for over 18's in employment here:
- ADHD & Work Welfare Pack for Employers & ADHD Employees
A welfare pack to help people with ADHD in the workplace to help educate on what it means to have ADHD in the workplace, and to aid the conversation between an employer and an employee with ADHD, with the aim of increasing mutual understanding and to help identify helpful reasonable accommodations.

ADHD ADULT UK
Resources and support for adults (over 18's) with ADHD.  Resources include guides, tools, information about diagnosis, ADHD in the workplace, guides to benefits and more. 
- UK Guide for Employers 
A useful leaflet giving guidance on what can help employers support their neurodiverse workforce.

ADHD-ALIEN.com
ADHD Alien create free comics about the daily struggle with ADHD including helpful graphics that explain symptoms and difficulties in fun, accessible, graphic form such as the image below (copyright ADHD Alien).

COLLEGE CONSENSUS  - College Options For ADHD Students
Information from US based organisation about college options for ADHD students.

HACSG (Hyperactive Childrens Support Group)
The Hyperactive Children’s Support Group is a registered charity, which has been successfully helping Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and hyperactive children and their families for over 43 years. Their specialism is advocating a dietary approach to the problem of hyperactivity with resources and information available related to Food Additives, Food Intolerance, Omega Fatty Acids, Vitamins & Minerals and how they can impact on hyperactivity and ADHD.

Neurodiversity Awareness Week Resources
NAW is an annual celebration of neurodiversity and offers many resources including ADHD fact sheets and more

Royal College Of Psychiatrists - ADHD in Adults
Information about ADHD in adults.

Born to Be ADHD: Stories that Never Stand Still
A book that celebrates ' what’s amazing
and annoying, fun and funny, incredibly inspiring and wonderfully weird about ADHD. Sharing stories, struggles
and achievements, this book gives you an opportunity to learn or remind yourself about the positives of
having an ADHD brain.


Young Minds
For information about ADHD and to download their guide for parents - click here.

BOOKS, FILMS, VLOGS, BLOGS AND OTHER SUGGESTIONS:

ADHD and Me with Rory Bremner: BBC 2 Horizon Documentary
In this documentary, comedian and impressionist Rory Bremner is on a mission to uncover the science of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), a condition which he has suspected he has. In this film he learns about the science of ADHD, goes for a diagnosis, and tries the drug methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) for the first time - just before walking on stage.  Rory Bremner describes how he sees the world, what helps him make connections that inform his comedy and how these ADHD-like thought processes can have a negative impact.

- 'How To ADH', You Tube Channel:

Including:
- How to Recognise ADHD in Girls

- Dani Donovan - ADHD Comics (for 18+ audience)
Dani Donovan is an award-winning ADHD creator whose viral comics and TikTok videos helped 'build an online community of validation and solidarity for neurodivergent adult'.

“People with autism aren’t broken computers; we’re different operating systems - we see things differently”. Alan Gardner, The Autistic Gardener.

Listed below, organisations supporting this area and also at the bottom a list of suggested reading resources.

AMBITIOUS ABOUT AUTISM
National charity for children and young people with autism.  Downloadable support resources including Autism Toolkit.

Link here to their Youth Network which is an 'online space for autistic young people to be themselves':
- Join the Ambitious Youth Network here.

Offer a free online peer support course over 6 weeks called 'Understanding you, discovering you' for people aged 11-25 with an autism diagnosis. 

ASPERGER'S SYNDROME FOUNDATION
ASF aims to promote high quality support, resources and services, and to enable people with Asperger’s Syndrome to develop into members of the community who are respected for their contribution and recognised for their unique differences.

AUT ANGEL
info@autangel.org.uk, @autangel
Run by autistic people for autistic people to strengthen the autistic community.  Creating a safe social network, peer support and activity groups.

AUTISM MATTERS - 18+ age group
Offers a range of support services for autistic adults (18+).

AUTISM NI (Northern Ireland)
028 9040 1729
Support for individuals with autism and their families in Northern Ireland.

AUTISM RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Useful articles and information for individuals, parents and professionals including for example an article about meltdowns and calming techniques.

AUTISM PARENTING MAGAZINE (by subscription)
Articles and information to support families affected by ASD.  Sign up for useful information and guides including a guide to Stimming.

AUTISM UNDERSTOOD 
Autism Understood is a website about autism, specifically for autistic young people which was created by Spectrum Gaming, a registered charity. Spectrum Gaming is a community for autistic young people.  

AMASE - Autistic Mutual Aid Society (Edinburgh)
Edinburgh-based charity for autistic people 16+ in the locality- all full members are autistic, and their goal is to help autistic people to make each other’s lives better through community events and peer support, advocacy and education.

THE AUTISTIC ADVOCATE (18+)
This website incorporates 'experiences as an Autistic person and as an Autism Professional...' and 'is a place of collective stories, reflecting on the barriers facing Autistic people'.

AUTISTIC GIRLS' NETWORK - Keeping It All Inside Leaflet
Downloadable free guide to Autism in girls - from signs and diagnosis to support ideas.

AUTISTICA
The leading UK research charity on autism with links to useful information such as managing anxiety.  

CHALLENGING BEHAVIOUR FOUNDATION
Offer support for those with or supporting those with severe learning disabilities. Offer a range of support resources about challenging behaviour and connected issues.  They define challenging behaviour as 'a range of behaviours which some people with severe learning disabilities may display to get needs met'.
Produce a 'quick read' challenging behaviour guide.

THE GIRL WITH THE CURLY HAIR PROEJCT
The Curly Hair Project is a social enterprise that helps people on the autistic spectrum and the people around them.  They use cool things like animated films, comic strips and diagrams to make their work interesting and easy to understand!

I SUPPORT
01923 693 741 info@isupportbehaviour.com
A team of independent specialist Behaviour Analysts working to help create better lives for people with autism and/or a learning disability.  They work directly with families and services, empowering them to become the specialists.

The service is short-term, with a focus on creating a network of support around each person. They assess, develop and implement support plans, train and empower, and plan to withdraw upon agreement of all stakeholders.

INFORMATION AUTISM
A site providing up-to-date, scientifically reliable information about autism.

This includes information about some of the issues, problems and challenges facing autistic individuals. It also includes information about a wide range of treatments, therapies and services used to help them.

LIVING AUTISM
0800 756 2420
The Living Autism team help to find the autism services, autism advice and autism support you need.

NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY 
0808 800 4104 autism helpline
National charity offering support, services, advice and information for anyone impacted by the autism spectrum.

Access the NAS directory of services for individuals on the autism spectrum. 

Download their free booklet Understanding Autism here. 

NEUROCLASTICA - CHANGE DIVERGENTLY
'The autism spectrum according to autistic people'. Resources and information for parents, educators and those on the autism spectrum.

NHS - Guide to Autism
This NHS guide can help if you or someone you care about is autistic or might be autistic covering signs of autism, diagnosis  and living with autism.

OUR BARN (Hounslow Borough)
Our Barn runs community-based activities providing learning, life skills and social interaction for young people aged between 16 to 35 with learning disabilities or autism. We also support unpaid carers, regardless of the age of the person cared for.  Our Barn is  a 'bridge' for 16-25 year olds in Hounslow Borough between formal education and adult life and a meeting place to share in fun experiences plus grow and develop in a setting that still provides structure and support. 

SCOTTISH AUTISM
An organisation dedicated to enabling autistic people to lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives providing services and information for those living in Scotland.

SNAPCYMRU (Wales) - 0808 801 0608
Support for the Welsh community around autism.

SPECTRUM GAMING
Spectrum Gaming is an online community for autistic young people with resources and support information. 

WRONG PLANET
Wrong Planet is the web community designed for individuals (and parents / professionals of those) with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, PDDs, and other neurological differences. We provide a discussion forum, where members communicate with each other, an article section, with exclusive articles and how-to guides, a blogging feature, and more

BLOGS, VLOGS AND OTHER RESOURCES: 

- THE AUTISM ADVOCATE - Kieran Jones
Kieran Rose is a writer, international Speaker, trainer, researcher & consultant. He's co-authored & published papers on Autistic Masking, Interpersonal Victimisation, & workplace employment for Neurodivergent people. He has a Youtube channel with many videos including an explanation of the 'double empathy problem'. 

- Ellen Jones
Ellen Jones is an award-winning campaigner who speaks and writes on  LGBTQ+ rights, mental health,  autism & gender.   Vlogs available on her website and YouTube channel including 'Q&A on learning I was autistic at 19'.

- A Day at Secondary School for the Girl with the Curly Hair

- Understanding Autism Video by I Support charity 

- Autism in Pink
Women's experiences of autism.

PODCASTS & TV 
- 1800 Seconds on Autism on BBC Sounds - for 18+ - with autistic hosts Robyn Steward & Jamie Knight - from home & family to humour and epic geekiness, this is a podcast about thinking differently. 

- Inside Our Autistic Minds - BBC 2
In this series, Chris Packham helps autistic people illustrate how their minds work, helping them connect with their friends and family in a new, more authentic way.

BOOK SUGGESTIONS:

- The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A Practical Handbook for Autistic Teens and Tweens
Explores being a young person on the autism spectrum and is full of 'insights about being awesome and autistic'.  It's a celebration of the strengths both in understanding and thinking about the world in a different way.  Offers tips for managing meltdowns, sensory differences and anxiety, fun activities and diary pages.

- The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens
A user-friendly guide for 'awesome autistic trans teens' providing explanations, tips and activities, examples of famous trans and gender divergent people on the autism spectrum.  Covers concerns such as coming out, masking, gender identities, changing your name, common issues trans and gender divergent people face and ways to help overcome them.

- The Autism Friendly Guide to Periods by Robyn Steward
For ages 9+ and written in a gender neutral style.  Includes a flap system to manage the amount of images you see.  Includes step by step photos for using menstrual cups, period underwear and cloth pads”.  Read more at the author's website (link above).

- The Autism Friendly Guide to Self Employment by Robyn Steward
A practical and friendly guide to self employment.

- Developing Talents: Careers for Individuals with Aspergers Syndrome & High Functioning Autism by Temple Grandin
Focusing on what you CAN do - using real-life examples, they point out that many of the unique characteristics of individuals on the autism spectrum lend themselves well to entrepreneurial ventures.

- Different Kinds of Mind by Temple Grandin
A guide to your brain and thinking styles, this is the young readers' version of Temple's best selling book Visual Thinking.
 

- Living Well on the Spectrum by Valerie Gaus PhD
Described as a 'positive, powerful plan for living life to the fullest' How to use your strengths to meet the challenges of Asperger Syndrome/high functioning autism. 

- Queerly Autistic - The Ultimate Guide for LGBTQIA Teens on the Spectrum by Erin Ekins
Described as the 'comprehensive survival guide for LGBTQIA autistic teens'.   It also includes resources including book recommendations, links and YouTube videos, all of which can also be found here: https://queerlyautistic.com/resources/.

- The Autism Playbook for Teens by McHenry and Moog
Self-help book with 'imagination based mindfulness activities to calm...,build independence and connect with others'.

- Glass Half Empty, Glass Half Full: How Asperger Syndrome Has Changed My Life, Chris Mitchell

- How to Teach Self-Management to People with Severe Disabilities: A Training Manual, Lynn Koegel

- Making Sense of the Unfeasible: My Life Journey with Asperger Syndrome, Mark Fleisher

- Self-Management for Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders, Lee A. Wilkinson

- Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin
Temple is a gifted and successful animal scientist who is autistic and, in this book she explores the idea that some people think differently, though no less humanly.  She tells us what it was like to grow up perceiving the world in an entirely concrete and visual way - somewhat akin to how animals think, she believes - and how it feels now. 

- Women From Another Planet - Our Lives in the Universe of Autism by Jean Kearns Miller 
The difference that being female makes to diagnosis and life experience - how it can present differently and can 'hide itself' in females plus insights to help understanding your own life experiences. 

FICTION BOOKS:

Do You See Me? and Do You Know Me -
both fiction books R Westcott & Libby Scott
Featuring 'the brilliant, autistic and true-to-her-own-self heroine Tally' in books which explore some of the most crucial issues in a young person’s life including 'loyalty, acceptance and the intricacies of social interaction'.