Helplines
Afasic
Afasic offers a confidential helpline for parents worried about their child's speech, language and communication difficulties or impairements.
Call 0300 666 9410 free or fill out the Afasic helpline enquiry form.
Open Monday and Wednesday, 10.30am to 4pm.
Find out more on the Afasic website.
Child Autism UK
Child Autism UK provide services to enable children to overcome difficulties with communication, learning and life skills and give families the techniques and strategies to cope with autism. They also offer a free, confidential helpline for parents.
Call 01344 882248 free or email info@childautism.org.uk
Open Monday to Friday, 2pm to 4pm.
Find out more on the Child Autism UK website.
Contact
Contact offers a confidential helpline, information and advice for parents and carers with a disabled child aged from birth to 25.
Call 0808 808 3555 free, submit an online enquiry or email info@contact.org.uk
Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm.
Find out more from the Contact website.
Toolkits and guides
Ambitious about Autism
Ambitious about Autism is a UK national charity which aims to improve opportunities for young people on the autism spectrum. They offer tips and guides for parents and carers of autistic children or grownup children, such as:
- Information about autism: find out more about autism and access information relevant to different stages in autistic children and young people's lives.
- Parent and carer toolkits: individual toolkit sections and additional tools, resources and templates for parents, carers, siblings and family members.
- Communicating about autism: guide on how to communicate effectively about autism.
Find out more on the Ambitious about Autism website.
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society is the UK's leading charity for autistic people and their families. The provide advice and guidance, and campaign for the rights of autistic people. They offer practical help and resources for parents and carers of autistic children/grown up child, such as:
- Family relationships guides: helpful advice, tips, and resources for autistic people, their parents/carers, siblings, or children.
- Disclosing autism guide: telling your child about their diagnosis - a guide for parents and carers.
- Mental health guides: advice and guidance on a range of mental health related topics.
- Parent to parent emotional support line: provides emotional support to parents and carers regarding their autistic children/grown-up children.
Find out more on the National Autistic Society website.
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Oxford Health NHS Foundation trust have developed a parents’ guide to supporting children and young people with ADHD and autism. This includes an animated series for parents of neurodiverse children and young people.
View the guide at the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust website.
YoungMinds
YoungMinds offer tailored information, advice and support to parents and carers who are concerned about their child or young person’s mental health. YoungMinds offer a guide for parents and carers, such as:
View more guides from or find out more on the YoungMinds website.