Young People and Autism
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. Commonly known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it encompasses a wide range of symptoms and severity levels, making each person’s experience unique. While autism itself is not classified as a learning disability, around half of those diagnosed with autism also have a learning disability.
Autism is a spectrum condition and affects people in different ways. Like all people, autistic people have their own strengths and weaknesses. Difficulties which autistic people may share include:
- Social communication and social interaction challenges
- Repetitive and restrictive behaviour
- Over- or under-sensitivity to light, sound, taste or touch
- Highly focused interests or hobbies
- Extreme anxiety
- Meltdowns and shutdowns
For more information on Autism, please click here.
Autism resources
Useful Links
Sunderland Information Point: Local Offer
Local Offer websites aim to support children and young people with SEN (Special Educational Needs) and disabilities, and their families, to feel included within their...
South Tyneside SEND Local Offer
Local Offer websites aim to support children and young people with SEN (Special Educational Needs) and disabilities, and their families, to feel included within their...
Ambitious about Autism
Ambitious about Autism provide a range of resources for you to access around autism, including; understanding autism, behaviour, early years and education, assessments and preparing...
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society provides lots of information to help you understand autism and life following diagnosis. They also provide advice and services to those...
Latest News
Related Videos
What is autism?
What is autism? Watch this video from the National Autistic Society for information on what autism is.
Autism Services
Sunderland SENDIASS
Sunderland Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is a free, statutory service which offers information, advice and support for Parents…
Daisy Chain
Daisy Chain is an award-winning charity supporting Autistic and neurodivergent children, young people and adults and their families. Support includes: For Children and Young People…
The Sensory Place
The Sensory Place is a parent-led organisation offering a network of support to families of children with all disabilities aged 0-18 years. We are all…
Adult Autism Diagnostic Services – Specialist Diagnostic Service
The Adult Autism Diagnostic Services are co-ordinated from Keegan Court, Grassbanks, Gateshead. The service is provided by appropriately qualified existing practitioners within the Trust drawn…
Your Voice Counts
Your Voice Counts is a charity that works across the North East to provide support to people with learning disabilities, autistic people and people who are…
The Kayaks
The Kayaks (Kids And Young Adult’s Klub-Special needs support group) Established in 2010, we became a Registered Charity in 2014. We provide a safe space…
Grace House
We provide a range of support for parents, carers and siblings of children with disabilities. We offer free holistic therapies, counselling and access to support…
Awesometisitic CIC
Although awareness of Autism has increased over the last few years, much of this insight has been provided by those who have learnt about Autism…
The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company
The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company run Platform Theatre – a funded drama programme for people with learning disabilities and autism in Sunderland. Spaces are currently…
AutismAble
We’re AutismAble, a Community Interest Company with bases in South Shields, North Shields and Sunderland. It’s our mission to enable, empower and enrich lives. We…
Project Choice
Project Choice is a specialist College providing tailored educational support, and a supported internship course for young adults aged 16-24 with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and/ or Autism.…
Sunderland People First
Sunderland People First is a Community Interest Company that champions the voices of people with a learning disability and autistic adults. We work alongside self-advocates…
Useful Links
Sunderland Information Point: Local Offer
Local Offer websites aim to support children and young people with SEN (Special Educational Needs) and disabilities, and their families, to feel included within their...
South Tyneside SEND Local Offer
Local Offer websites aim to support children and young people with SEN (Special Educational Needs) and disabilities, and their families, to feel included within their...
Ambitious about Autism
Ambitious about Autism provide a range of resources for you to access around autism, including; understanding autism, behaviour, early years and education, assessments and preparing...
National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society provides lots of information to help you understand autism and life following diagnosis. They also provide advice and services to those...
Latest News
A guide for parents and carers In Autism Acceptance Week (27 March to 2 April), Kidscape have shared a new guide they’ve developed with autism…
Related Videos
What is autism?
What is autism? Watch this video from the National Autistic Society for information on what autism is.
Autism Services
Sunderland SENDIASS
Sunderland Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is a free, statutory service which offers information, advice and support for Parents…
Daisy Chain
Daisy Chain is an award-winning charity supporting Autistic and neurodivergent children, young people and adults and their families. Support includes: For Children and Young People…
The Sensory Place
The Sensory Place is a parent-led organisation offering a network of support to families of children with all disabilities aged 0-18 years. We are all…
Adult Autism Diagnostic Services – Specialist Diagnostic Service
The Adult Autism Diagnostic Services are co-ordinated from Keegan Court, Grassbanks, Gateshead. The service is provided by appropriately qualified existing practitioners within the Trust drawn…
Your Voice Counts
Your Voice Counts is a charity that works across the North East to provide support to people with learning disabilities, autistic people and people who are…
The Kayaks
The Kayaks (Kids And Young Adult’s Klub-Special needs support group) Established in 2010, we became a Registered Charity in 2014. We provide a safe space…
Grace House
We provide a range of support for parents, carers and siblings of children with disabilities. We offer free holistic therapies, counselling and access to support…
Awesometisitic CIC
Although awareness of Autism has increased over the last few years, much of this insight has been provided by those who have learnt about Autism…
The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company
The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company run Platform Theatre – a funded drama programme for people with learning disabilities and autism in Sunderland. Spaces are currently…
AutismAble
We’re AutismAble, a Community Interest Company with bases in South Shields, North Shields and Sunderland. It’s our mission to enable, empower and enrich lives. We…
Project Choice
Project Choice is a specialist College providing tailored educational support, and a supported internship course for young adults aged 16-24 with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and/ or Autism.…
Sunderland People First
Sunderland People First is a Community Interest Company that champions the voices of people with a learning disability and autistic adults. We work alongside self-advocates…
Useful Links
Sunderland Information Point: Local Offer
Local Offer websites aim to support children and young people with SEN (Special Educational Needs) and disabilities, and their families, to feel included within their...
South Tyneside SEND Local Offer
Local Offer websites aim to support children and young people with SEN (Special Educational Needs) and disabilities, and their families, to feel included within their...
Ambitious about Autism
Ambitious about Autism provide a range of resources for you to access around autism, including; understanding autism, behaviour, early years and education, assessments and preparing...
Autism training and best practice
Autism Know How is The National Autistic Society’s umbrella name for all their autism training and best practice services. We want all autistic people to...
Related Videos
What is autism?
What is autism? Watch this video from the National Autistic Society for information on what autism is.
Autism Services
Sunderland SENDIASS
Sunderland Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is a free, statutory service which offers information, advice and support for Parents…
Daisy Chain
Daisy Chain is an award-winning charity supporting Autistic and neurodivergent children, young people and adults and their families. Support includes: For Children and Young People…
The Sensory Place
The Sensory Place is a parent-led organisation offering a network of support to families of children with all disabilities aged 0-18 years. We are all…
Adult Autism Diagnostic Services – Specialist Diagnostic Service
The Adult Autism Diagnostic Services are co-ordinated from Keegan Court, Grassbanks, Gateshead. The service is provided by appropriately qualified existing practitioners within the Trust drawn…
Your Voice Counts
Your Voice Counts is a charity that works across the North East to provide support to people with learning disabilities, autistic people and people who are…
The Kayaks
The Kayaks (Kids And Young Adult’s Klub-Special needs support group) Established in 2010, we became a Registered Charity in 2014. We provide a safe space…
Grace House
We provide a range of support for parents, carers and siblings of children with disabilities. We offer free holistic therapies, counselling and access to support…
Awesometisitic CIC
Although awareness of Autism has increased over the last few years, much of this insight has been provided by those who have learnt about Autism…
The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company
The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company run Platform Theatre – a funded drama programme for people with learning disabilities and autism in Sunderland. Spaces are currently…
AutismAble
We’re AutismAble, a Community Interest Company with bases in South Shields, North Shields and Sunderland. It’s our mission to enable, empower and enrich lives. We…
Project Choice
Project Choice is a specialist College providing tailored educational support, and a supported internship course for young adults aged 16-24 with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and/ or Autism.…
Sunderland People First
Sunderland People First is a Community Interest Company that champions the voices of people with a learning disability and autistic adults. We work alongside self-advocates…