Autism

JCQ guidance for schools, colleges and examination centres on access arrangements and reasonable adjustments. It explains that arrangements should be based on evidence of need and the student's normal way of working, while preserving the assessment objectives. The hub links to the detailed annual regulations, evidence requirements and supplementary guidance used by centres when applying arrangements such as extra time, supervised rest breaks, readers, scribes, computer readers and word processors.

Official Ofqual guidance explaining that access arrangements are changes to an assessment or the way it is taken so that students with disabilities or other specific needs can access it without changing what is being assessed. Examples include extra time, supervised rest breaks, modified papers, readers or scribes, assistive software and use of a word processor. Students should speak to their school or college as early as possible because arrangements are based on individual need.

Official government guidance explaining the Access to Work scheme. Support can include specialist equipment, assistive software, support workers, travel assistance and physical changes to the workplace. Access to Work does not replace an employer’s legal duty to make reasonable adjustments, and eligibility and support depend on individual circumstances.

Official eligibility guidance for the Access to Work scheme. It states that support can be available for conditions including autism, ADHD, dyslexia and mental health conditions, and that a formal diagnosis is not required to apply. Applicants generally need to be in paid work, or about to start or return to paid work, and live and work in England, Scotland or Wales. Different arrangements apply in Northern Ireland.

Practical environmental guidance focused on identifying and reducing sensory barriers. It highlights common sources of overload such as noise, lighting, smells, crowds, queues and temperature, and provides suggestions for making spaces easier to use.

Authoritative Acas guidance specifically focused on neurodivergent workers. It gives practical examples such as quiet working areas, headphones, screen filters, written instructions broken into steps, visual planners, regular check-ins, additional reminders, extra planning time and advance warning of workplace changes. Acas stresses that adjustments should be based on the individual rather than diagnosis alone, and that workers do not necessarily need a formal diagnosis before support is considered.

Official guidance describing the process after an Access to Work application. An adviser may request more information, ask permission to speak to the employer or arrange an assessment by phone, video or in person to identify suitable changes. The applicant then receives a decision explaining what the grant will fund and its value. The page also explains how to request reconsideration if the applicant disagrees with the decision.

Official guidance on the process after submitting an appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal. An online appeal account can be used to track progress, upload evidence, submit a supporting statement and update personal or representative details. Supporting evidence can include reports or care plans from professionals and letters from people who know the claimant. The tribunal then considers the appeal at a hearing and issues a decision.

Official guidance explaining that some claimants may be invited to an assessment with a health professional if more information is needed. The assessment can take place in person, at home, by phone or by video, and someone such as a friend or support worker can attend. The decision is sent by letter and explains whether PIP has been awarded, when payments start and when the claim may be reviewed. If the claimant disagrees with the decision, they can request a mandatory reconsideration.

Official guidance on appealing benefit decisions including PIP, Universal Credit and ESA. An appeal is free and is normally made after receiving a mandatory reconsideration notice. Appeals usually need to be started within one month of the date of that notice. The tribunal is independent of government, and a judge considers the evidence and arguments before making a decision. Appeals can be submitted online and supporting evidence can be provided during the process.

Official HM Courts & Tribunals Service appeal form for social security benefit decisions made by the Department for Work and Pensions. The SSCS1 form can be used to appeal by post and is accompanied by guidance explaining how to complete it. A large-print version is also available. People in England, Wales and Scotland can alternatively submit many benefit appeals online instead of posting the form.

Official application route for the Access to Work scheme. Applicants can apply online or by phone and should be ready to provide their contact details, workplace address, information about how their condition affects their work, what support they think they need and workplace contact details where applicable. Self-employed applicants may also need their UTR and applicants may need their National Insurance number.

Detailed practical guidance covering sensory triggers, recognising overload, reducing or removing triggers, creating safe spaces, preparing for difficult environments and using sensory tools. It also explains that sensory needs vary considerably between individuals.

Current NHS public information on referral routes, adult autism assessments, waiting for assessment, second opinions and possible information or care planning after diagnosis.

NICE clinical guideline for adults aged 18 and over with suspected or confirmed autism. It covers identification and comprehensive assessment, interventions, coexisting mental health conditions, behaviour that challenges, support for families and carers, and how services should be organised. It also recognises sensory sensitivities, difficulties with flexibility and emotional regulation as common features that may need to be considered in assessment and support.

Practical autism-specific guidance informed by autistic adults’ experiences. It covers sensory and social overload, masking, changes in routine, reduced capacity, energy accounting and seeking support. It should be used as practical guidance rather than as a diagnostic or clinical definition.

Official GOV.UK guidance linking to independent benefits calculators including Policy in Practice, entitledto and Turn2us. The calculators can estimate entitlement to income-related and contribution-based benefits, Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction and Carer’s Allowance, and can model how starting work, increasing hours or other changes in circumstances may affect benefits. Users need accurate details about household income, savings, existing benefits, housing costs, childcare costs and Council Tax. Results are estimates rather than formal benefit decisions.

Official DWP Capability for Work questionnaire used for Work Capability Assessments. The WCA50 replaced the previous UC50 and ESA50 forms. It should only be completed when the claimant has been asked to do so and is not itself a benefit claim form. The form asks for information about how the person’s health condition or disability affects their ability to carry out activities relevant to work. It can be completed on a desktop or laptop using a compatible PDF reader, or printed and completed by hand. Alternative formats can be requested where needed.

Official guidance on mandatory reconsideration for benefit decisions including PIP, Universal Credit, ESA and several other benefits. A request normally needs to be made within one month of the date on the decision letter. The claimant should explain which part of the decision they believe is wrong and why, and can provide supporting evidence. The original claim is reconsidered in full, meaning the award can increase, decrease, stay the same or stop. A mandatory reconsideration notice is then issued explaining the outcome.

Official GOV.UK tool designed to help people identify possible financial support with living costs based on their circumstances. It acts as a broad starting point rather than a formal eligibility decision and does not include every possible source of financial support. GOV.UK recommends using it alongside more detailed benefit guidance and independent benefits calculators where appropriate.

Independent Citizens Advice guidance that helps people work out which benefits may be relevant depending on how their disability or health condition affects daily living, mobility, work and income. It signposts to PIP, Universal Credit, ESA, Council Tax Reduction and other support, and explains that different benefits address different needs. The page is advice for England, with separate Citizens Advice guidance available for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Official GOV.UK guidance for people who have already been awarded an Access to Work grant. Claims can be made online or by post. Users need details of when support was provided, invoices or receipts showing the cost, and bank details for whoever is being paid. A workplace contact may also need to confirm the support being claimed for. A grant approval letter is required before an online claim can be made.

Official Student Finance England evidence form for applicants who do not already have suitable medical evidence for a DSA application. A medical professional completes the form with information about the person’s disability, long-term health condition or mental health condition. It cannot be used as evidence of a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, which requires a diagnostic assessment from an appropriately qualified professional.

Official guidance explaining that schools, colleges and universities must not discriminate against disabled students and have a duty to make reasonable adjustments where needed. Examples include additional support, specialist staff, equipment and changes that reduce disadvantage. The page also notes that universities and higher education colleges should have someone responsible for disability issues who students can contact about available support.

Official guidance on Disabled Students’ Allowance for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students. DSA can help fund disability-related study costs such as specialist equipment, non-medical support, specialist note-taking, assistive technology and some additional travel costs. Support is based on individual need rather than household income and does not normally need to be repaid.

Official eligibility guidance for Disabled Students’ Allowance. For a disability, long-term health condition or mental health condition, evidence can normally be a report or letter from a doctor or consultant, or the DSA disability evidence form. For a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, a diagnostic assessment from a practitioner psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher is required. Evidence can be submitted through a Student Finance England account or by email or post.

A pragmatic randomised controlled trial evaluating the Let's Get Organised intervention against treatment as usual for adults with impaired time management. Participants included people with ADHD, autism and other mental-health conditions, so the findings are relevant to neurodivergent time-management difficulties but are not specific to one diagnosis

Practical NHS guidance covering how to notice and name emotions, identify urges, check whether an emotional response fits the situation, use calming or grounding strategies and reflect afterwards on what helped. It also notes that tiredness, hunger and sensory overload can make regulation more difficult. Although hosted by CAMHS, the page states that these experiences can affect both young people and adults.

Practical directory for finding volunteer-led local and online branches. Available activities and suitability vary by area and group, so users should check access arrangements and whether a specific branch matches their needs.

Independent Citizens Advice guidance explaining that useful evidence should focus on how a condition affects everyday activities rather than simply confirming a diagnosis. Evidence can include letters, reports or care plans from professionals such as occupational therapists, social workers, counsellors, nurses, doctors or support workers. The guidance also recommends keeping a diary where difficulties fluctuate, so the claimant can record bad days and how they affect daily activities. It also advises not to delay returning the PIP form while waiting for evidence, as supporting evidence can be sent afterwards.

Official guidance explaining how a disability or health condition can affect a Universal Credit claim. If the condition affects capability to work for more than 7 days, a fit note may be required. If it continues for more than 28 days, the claimant may need a Work Capability Assessment. The assessment can result in being found fit for work, having limited capability for work, or having limited capability for work and work-related activity. The outcome can affect work-related requirements and whether an extra amount of Universal Credit is payable.

Public-facing NICE guidance for adults with suspected or confirmed autism. It explains that adults who may be autistic should be offered an assessment, describes what should happen during the assessment and says people should be asked how they would like results explained. After diagnosis, professionals should discuss what the diagnosis means, future care and support, communication needs and sensory sensitivities. The guidance also notes that people can ask for an advocate to help communicate their views.

Official application guidance for Disabled Students’ Allowance. Full-time undergraduate students can usually apply through their student finance account, while some students need to use a DSA1 form. The guidance also explains that applications may need to be made annually in some circumstances and that support can take additional time to put in place after an application is approved.

Official step-by-step guidance for starting a Personal Independence Payment claim. A claim normally begins by phone, followed by a form explaining how the disability or condition affects daily life. Supporting information such as care plans, prescription lists or information from healthcare professionals can be included. Some people may then need an assessment if more information is required. Online applications are also available in some areas.

Authoritative Acas guidance on requesting and agreeing reasonable adjustments at work. It recommends discussing how a condition affects work, identifying possible support together, confirming agreed adjustments in writing and reviewing them over time. It also explains that adjustments can apply during recruitment and that different employees may need different forms of support.

Official DWP form for requesting mandatory reconsideration of a benefit decision. The CRMR1 form can be downloaded, completed on screen, saved and printed. The accompanying CRMR1A notes explain how to disagree with a decision and give examples of useful supporting evidence. The completed form and any relevant evidence should be sent to the address shown on the original decision letter.

Autism-specific guidance bringing together autistic experience and research on conscious and unconscious masking. It discusses social safety, exhaustion, identity, burnout and approaches to reducing the impact of masking, while recognising that unmasking is not simple or safe in every context.

Practical autism-focused guidance covering what to do before, during and after overload or a meltdown. For changes and transitions it recommends approaches such as clear visual explanations, preserving predictable parts of the routine, countdowns or timers, structured timetables and access to familiar calming activities. Strategies should be adapted to the individual rather than applied universally.

Citizens Advice recommends keeping a diary where a condition fluctuates, so the claimant can record bad days and explain how those difficulties affected them. The diary can be used as supporting evidence and can also help when completing the 'How your disability affects you' form. Someone else can help complete the diary if needed.

Official government guidance on Personal Independence Payment. Eligibility depends on having a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and experiencing difficulty with specific everyday activities or getting around. PIP can be claimed by people who are working or have savings. The claim process usually involves starting the claim, completing a form describing how the condition affects daily life and, where needed, having an assessment.

Official eligibility guidance for Personal Independence Payment. A person generally needs to be aged 16 or over, have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, have difficulty with certain everyday tasks or getting around, and expect those difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started. New claims are usually made below State Pension age. PIP can still be claimed while working or having savings. Scotland uses Adult Disability Payment instead of PIP for new claims.

Practical guidance covering the benefits of routine and predictability, when rigid routines may become difficult, and ways to prepare for change. Suggested strategies include advance warning, visual prompts, practising journeys or new situations, creating backup plans and allowing extra processing time.

Independent Citizens Advice guidance explaining that a PIP assessment is about how a condition affects everyday life rather than diagnosing the condition. It recommends preparing examples of difficult activities, describing what bad days are like, taking a copy of the claim form, explaining the effects of repeating activities and taking someone for support if helpful. It also explains how to request reasonable adjustments, including accessibility changes, an interpreter or signer, an assessor of the same gender where important, and audio recording of the assessment.

A practical Acas template designed specifically for workers requesting reasonable adjustments. It can be copied into an email or document and adapted to explain the adjustment being requested. Acas also recommends considering what would help the person manage their health and work, and what might be reasonable for the employer. This is a practical workplace tool rather than clinical guidance.

Official UK government guidance on an employer's duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled workers and workers with physical or mental health conditions. Examples include changing working arrangements, providing equipment, adapting the workplace, allowing someone to work in a different location and using flexible hours or phased returns. What is reasonable depends on the individual situation.

NHS public information outlining signs of autism in adults and explaining how masking and co-occurring conditions can make autistic traits more difficult to recognise.

Official UK public-service guidance used as a practical signposting source.

An official Department for Work and Pensions planning tool designed to help students think through barriers and identify useful adjustments in education or employment. It can be used to record needs, consider what has helped previously and prepare for conversations with education providers or employers. GOV.UK provides both interactive and printable versions alongside supporting notes.

Official online service for appealing a benefit decision. Applicants normally need their National Insurance number, their mandatory reconsideration notice and details of any representative helping with the appeal. The service also asks whether the person wants to attend a tribunal hearing. Appeals can alternatively be made by post using form SSCS1. After submission, an online account can be used to track progress, upload evidence and update details.

A practical escalation template for autistic workers who have already requested reasonable adjustments but have not received them, or have only received them in part. It prompts the worker to record the date of the original request, list the adjustments requested, explain what has not been implemented and ask for a written response. The National Autistic Society also recommends keeping a copy and proof that the letter was sent.

A practical template designed for autistic workers requesting reasonable adjustments from a manager, employer or HR. It prompts the person to explain which adjustments they need, why they need them and how the changes would help them carry out their role and manage wellbeing at work. The National Autistic Society recommends adapting the wording to the person's own circumstances rather than sending it unchanged.

Practical NHS guidance explaining why familiarity, predictability and routine can support wellbeing and reduce anxiety for autistic people. Suggested strategies include finding out about changes in advance, using calendars and planners, explaining what will stay the same, using visual timetables or social stories, and visiting unfamiliar places beforehand.

Practical guidance focused on recognising early signs of sensory overload, stopping or reducing triggering activity, moving to quieter spaces and creating a more sensorily manageable environment. It is autism-focused guidance and should be treated as practical support rather than evidence that any single strategy will work for everyone.

Official NHS signposting for urgent mental health support. It directs people to NHS 111 online or 111 for urgent help, and to 999 or A&E where someone is in immediate danger.

Practical employment guidance explaining common workplace difficulties autistic people may encounter and how to respond. It covers conflict, bullying and harassment, discrimination, performance or capability concerns, disciplinary issues and dismissal. Suggested actions include speaking with a manager or HR, involving a trade union representative, using informal or formal grievance procedures and seeking external advice from organisations such as Acas or Citizens Advice. It also explains how autism-related communication, sensory overload or disrupted routines can sometimes be misinterpreted as performance or behavioural problems.

NHS patient information providing an accessible overview of autism, including neurodevelopment, communication, sensory differences, co-occurring conditions and support.

Practical autism-specific employment guidance with examples of workplace adjustments suggested by autistic people, professionals and researchers. Examples include clearer and more precise communication, agreeing preferred communication methods, changing sensory aspects of the workplace, altering working arrangements and providing appropriate supervision or support. The page emphasises that adjustments should reflect the person's individual needs rather than assuming every autistic person needs the same support.

Official Student Loans Company guidance explaining that the Needs Assessment is an informal conversation rather than a test. It looks at how a disability or health condition affects study and what support may help. After DSA eligibility is approved, either Study Tech or Capita will contact the student to arrange the assessment. The assessment can lead to recommendations for equipment, assistive technology, training or other support, followed by an entitlement letter explaining what has been approved.

Official guidance explaining the possible outcomes of a Work Capability Assessment. A claimant may be found fit for work, to have limited capability for work, or to have limited capability for work and work-related activity. The decision can affect work-related requirements and whether an additional amount of Universal Credit is payable. Someone can still work if they feel able to even after being found to have limited capability for work or work-related activity.