Find autism support near you

You don’t have to do this alone. Here are trusted UK organisations, autistic-led communities and local groups — for autistic children, adults, and the families around them.

🔎 Start local — three ways to find help near you

NAS Branch Finder — the National Autistic Society lists 60+ volunteer-led branches across the UK. Search “National Autistic Society branch finder”.

Autism Services Directory — a broader search for local and national support, day centres and social activities. Search “Autism Services Directory”.

Your council’s Local Offerevery local council in England must publish one: a directory of funded autism groups, sports clubs, short breaks and youth activities in your area. Search your council’s name plus “Local Offer”.

🤝 National charities & hubs
UK-wide support, peer communities and helplines.

National Autistic Society (NAS)

The UK’s largest autism charity — 60+ local branches with meet-ups and family activities, plus a 24/7 online community for peer support.

Autism Central

Peer-led education sessions, reflective groups and virtual meet-ups for families and carers across the UK.

Autistic Parents UK

A UK-wide, autistic-led charity supporting parents who are themselves autistic.

Contact

A UK-wide charity for families with disabled children — parent workshops, local support groups and a helpline.

Family Fund

Grants for lower-income families raising disabled or autistic children, plus community events.

🧩 Autistic-led organisations
Run by and for autistic people — lived experience first.

Autistic UK

A national Disabled People’s Organisation run by and for autistic people, focused on rights and advocacy.

Autscape

Europe’s pioneering three-day autistic-run annual conference and community space.

Aucademy

Educational content and community connections centred on lived, autistic experience.

🧒 For children & young people
Youth networks, clubs and family support.

Ambitious about Autism

The UK’s national charity for autistic children and young people — online youth networks, local services and family peer-support groups. A great nationwide starting point.

NAS Family Groups

Most NAS local branches run play sessions, holiday clubs and parent-carer support networks.

Resources for Autism

Specialised youth clubs, play schemes, short-break groups and mentoring across London and the West Midlands.

The Autism Group

Based in Berkshire/Maidenhead — weekend clubs and school-holiday activities for ages 9–25, plus online groups.

Daisy Chain

Children’s activity clubs, sensory play, adult social groups and family hubs across the North East.

📍 Regional & local activity groups
A few examples — your Local Offer will list many more near you.

London Autism Group Charity

Community cafés and support groups across Greater London.

Resources for Autism

Services, youth groups and mentoring throughout London and the West Midlands.

Daisy Chain

Neurodiversity support, social groups and family hubs across the North East.

💬 Talk to other SEN parents in The Den ⚖️ Your child’s SEN rights guide
Please note. This is a signposting directory to help you find support — the organisations listed are independent of PawSteps, and details change over time, so search for each one to find their current website, area and contact. It is not a recommendation or endorsement of any single service. If you or your child are in crisis, contact your GP, call NHS 111, Samaritans 116 123, or 999 in an emergency.