The National Autism Service has an information page on Personal Independence Payment which you may find useful.

There are lots of groups out there, but if you think you are Autistic you may wish to contact these groups to see if they would allow you to join.

PASS runs a peer support group in Plymouth. This is a friendly place to meet other autistic adults, have a warm drink and be supportive space.

The National Autistic Society also runs several groups in Plymouth:

Plymouth Autistic Adult Group. The group is for anyone over the age of 18 who is diagnosed Autistic, waiting for a diagnosis, or believes that they are on the autistic spectrum.

Email: [email protected]

Plymouth Autistic Women’s Group (PAWG). NAS Plymouth Autistic Women’s Group is a support group for women with autism or who are awaiting a diagnosis. It is a free, peer-led support group for Autistic Women aged 18+.

Email: [email protected]

Dimensions for Autism offers peer-support, advocacy, activism, and advice in Devon for adults with autism without a learning disability.

University of Plymouth- Autism Society offers a Social Support group for students of Plymouth University with Autism.

Address: First Floor, 3 Portland Mews, Plymouth University
Tel: 01752 587676
Email: [email protected]

The National Autistic Society have a page about further education and starting college or university.

There is also a best practice guide for universities that you may wish to read.

If you are interested in improving your qualifications or knowledge of subjects such as reading, writing, or maths, your local Wellbeing Hub will be able to help you find the right courses.

ACAS is the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, an independent public body that receives funding from the government. They work with employers and employees to improve workplace relationships. ACAS have a Guide to Reasonable Adjustments to help employers and employees to think about reasonable adjustments for specific needs at work. You do not need to have a diagnosis to request reasonable adjustments at work.

The National Autistic Society has also developed a guide to support at work for Autistic employees. 

Autism Forward provides access to specialist mentors for adults with autism to get into employment/volunteering roles. You can apply for a grant to pay for the mentor.

Plymouth Based Mentor: Faraday Fearnside
Website: https://faradayfearnside.com/mentoring
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01752 244457/ 07858 986565

The Devon Autism Intervention Team have a Sensory Checklist which can help you understand your sensory profile and needs.

This guide includes recommendations for small changes that can be made to an environment to improve the sensory experiences and wellbeing of Autistic people. You can click on each of the sensory areas to see further information.

Please see the ‘General Support’ page for signposting.

Please see the ‘General Support’ page for signposting.

The National Autism Society have developed a ‘My Health Passport’ document which you can fill in and bring with you to appointments or into hospital. This helps staff to understand your needs and how best to support you. 

Many local hospitals and local healthcare services have also developed their own Health Passports. It is up to you which one you would like to use. You can see Derriford Hospital’s Hospital Passport for Autistic Patients here. 

Derriford Hospital also has a Reasonable Adjustments Request Form which you can complete.