Autism Resources for Adults

Some adults we have worked with have found the following links helpful. You might find the following information and resources useful for yourself or for people close to you.

What is Autism?

One of the best websites for general information about autism spectrum conditions can be found on the National Autistic Society website – www.autism.org.uk

Essential guides on autism – www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/autism-friendly-guide

Research on Autism – www.autistica.org.uk

Information on autism support in your area – www.autismgm.org.uk

Spoon Theory – www.reachoutasc.com/spoon-theory-and-autism

NHS Autism support – www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/support

Autism: A Guide for Adults following Diagnosis: www.autismwales.org/resource/WEB-Autism-Booklet-English.pdf

Autistic Women and Girls – www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/autistic-women-and-girls

Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network – www.awnnetwork.org

Helpful Books

You might find some of these useful books beneficial in understanding your diagnosis:

An Adult with an Autism Diagnosis: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (Drew, 2017) – via Amazon

Autism in Adults (Beardon, 2021) – via Amazon

Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Adults (Beardon, 2021) – via Amazon

Older Adults and Autism Spectrum Conditions: An Introduction and Guide (Lawson, 2015) – via Amazon

The Guide to Good Mental Health on the Autism Spectrum (Goodall & Nugent, 2016) – via Amazon

Women with Autism: Accepting and Embracing Autism Spectrum Disorder as You Move Towards an Authentic Life (Jack, 2021) – via Amazon

The Girl with the Curly Hair – Asperger’s and Me (Alis Rowe) –www.thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk

The Autism Friendly Guide to Periods (Robyn Stewart) – via Amazon

There has been increasing recognition of autistic women over the last decade, debunking the myth that there are more autistic males than females. Here is a collection of resources that specifically address the needs of autistic women.

The Autism in Pink project was an EU Lifelong Learning Programme funded partnership between four European organisations to research and educate about autism (including Asperger syndrome) in women. They have put together a documentary called Autism in Pink which you can see on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-FvExDAqh8

The National Autistic Society (NAS) offers a wealth of information about autistic women and girls – www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/autistic-women-and-girls

Sarah Hendrickx is an autistic adult. She speaks about her experiences, particularly as an autistic woman and her videos can be accessed here.
www.asperger-training.com/videos

Robyn Steward is an autistic adult. She also speaks about her experiences as an autistic woman. www.robynsteward.com/

Rosie King is another young woman who speaks about her experiences as an autistic woman. www.ted.com/speakers/rosie_king

Listen to Tony Attwood talk on Autism in Females, he discusses some of the differences we see in girls. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfOHnt4PMFo

Girls and Autism: Flying under the radar offers a mini guide including some practical strategies. www.nasen.org.uk/resources/girls-and-autism-flying-under-radar

The National Autistic Society (NAS) offers an online training module specifically about Women – www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/professional-development/training-and-conferences/online/women-and-girls

There are groups who focus on bringing together autistic girls and women:

Autistic Girl’s Network – www.autisticgirlsnetwork.org
Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network – www.awnnetwork.org
Autistic Women and Girls Hampshire Support – https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/about-autism/women-and-girls-on-the-autism-spectrum

Employment Support

We recommend looking at the National Autistic Society for more information about autism and the section relating to support for employers.

Under the Equality Act 2010, autism spectrum disorder is defined as a disability, and employers have a responsibility under this Act to make any reasonable adjustments to remove disadvantage faced due to disability.

Adjustments can sometimes be funded through the Government scheme ‘Access to Work‘, which can pay for support for employees on the autism spectrum. It can pay for things like adaptations to equipment, awareness training for colleagues, a buddy or support worker for the employee, or a range of other supports. How much money is awarded, and what is funded, depends on individual circumstances. Access to Work funding can cover support to help someone start work or to stay in work. Further information and suggestions for reasonable adjustments can be found here.

Academic Support

It would be useful to contact the Disability Advisor at your university, to discuss specialist support available through the university.

Mentoring sessions or study skills sessions could cover topics such as:

advocacy within the university and liaison with course tutors; planning academic work and deadlines.
supporting initiation of tasks; collaboration skills for group work projects.

You may also benefit from some support to plan for and practice interview skills.

You can also consider whether any adaptations to the study/office environment would be helpful, e.g., seating position, lighting, etc.

You would benefit from mentoring support to assist with social communication aspects of your degree, e.g., group work. Your colleagues and tutors can assist by using clear and unambiguous language.

You should not be afraid to ask for clarifications if needed. You could use mentoring sessions to develop conversational skills, such as maintaining reciprocal conversation, the use and understanding of body language/facial expressions etc.

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) to fund additional support or technologies required can be applied for: https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa

You should be entitled to 25% extra time in exams and to sit in a room with fewer students. You will need to discuss this with the university.

You will require adaptations or support for any spoken Viva or presentations, for example having fewer students in the room and additional time to process questions asked.

You can request access to computer software such as MindView and ClaroRead.

There is a study skills publication called ‘Managing Stress’ (2018) by Chris Irons and Kate Joseph, which might be very helpful as a self-help book for you.

Relationship and Partner Support

The National Autistic Society has a dedicated section on providing information, advice and support for autistic people and their partners. Useful information can be found at the following links:

There are some really useful books on autism in marriage and relationships such as:

Marriage and Lasting Relationships with Asperger’s Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder): Successful Strategies for Couples by Eva Mendes (2015) via Amazon.
The Half of Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder): A Guide to Living in an Intimate Relationship with a Partner who is on the Autism Spectrum Second Edition by Maxine Ashton (2014) via Amazon.

The Autism and Asperger’s Network also has some great information on understanding autism in relationships and how to manage successful relationships.