Autism and Asperger's syndrome are developmental disabilities that affect over 1% of the population. These conditions can affect social interaction, communication and language.
People with autism share certain difficulties but their condition can affect them in different ways. They can sometimes live independently but often require a lifetime of specialist support.
- Social care support for autism
- Healthcare support for autism
- Employment support for autism
- Education support for autism
- Access to sport and leisure activities
- York’s All-Age Autism Strategy
Social care support for autism
Contact our Adult Social Services team for support to help you stay independent and make realistic choices about the help you need.
We'll assess your needs and eligibility through an assessment of need. We don't charge for assessments, but we may ask you to make a contribution towards any support we arrange.
If you're a carer, request a carer’s assessment to find out about how you could also access support.
Healthcare support for autism
Talk to your GP as a first step if you'd like to be referred for an autism diagnosis.
They could also refer you to support from secondary mental health services.
Employment support for autism
Contact Job Centre Plus who can arrange an appointment with a Disability Employment Adviser to help you into work.
Visit the Access to Work website for information to help you overcome barriers to starting or keeping a job.
Education support for autism
Check individual university and college websites for information about open days or to arrange a meeting with Student Support Officers.
Ask about extra help you may be entitled to if you have a diagnosis of an Autistic Spectrum Condition, such as Asperger's Syndrome.
Disabled Students’ Allowance for Higher Education students
Contact Student Finance England for information about applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) funding once you have an offer of a place at university or college.
Contact the Higher York Access Centre at York St John University once you've received confirmation that you're eligible for DSA. This Access Centre can be used by anyone with an offer of a place at any Higher Education institution in the UK.
Contact details for other Higher Education institutions in York:
- Askham Bryan College - telephone: 01904 772277 or email: inclusive.services@askham-bryan.ac.uk
- York College - telephone: 01904 770100 or email: learningsupport@yorkcollege.ac.uk
- University of York - Student Welfare Advisers, telephone: 01904 324140 or email: welfareinfo@york.ac.uk
- York St John University - Student Advice Team, telephone: 01904 876540 or email: learningsupport@yorksj.ac.uk
Access to Sport and Leisure Activities
Visit our Disability sports page for information about inclusive sport and active leisure activities.
York’s All-Age Autism Strategy
York has developed a new All-Age Autism and ADHD Strategy 2025 to 2030, which sets out how the council and its partners will work together to improve outcomes and services for autistic children, young people and adults across the city.
The strategy has been co-produced with people with lived experience, families, carers and partner organisations, and reflects our shared commitment to making York a more inclusive city where autistic people can thrive.
You can read the full strategy, including its priorities, actions and governance arrangements: