Autism Information and Advice Service
A free, one-off service providing information, guidance and signposting for autistic people, parents, carers and professionals. We can help you understand your options, explain relevant systems and suggest services or resources that may be able to offer further help.
Free, time-limited information and advice
This is not a support or case-holding service. Our role is to help you feel better informed, clearer about your options and more confident about possible next steps.
What this service offers
We provide general information, guidance and signposting around autism and autism-related difficulties.
- Clear, impartial information about autism and related needs.
- Guidance to help you understand education, health, social care and benefits systems.
- Signposting to appropriate organisations, services and resources.
- Information to help you decide what your next step could be.
What this service does not offer
It is important to understand the limits of this service before making a referral.
- Ongoing or regular support.
- Case-holding or case management.
- Advocacy or attending meetings on your behalf.
- Contacting other services for you.
- Therapy, counselling or emotional support.
- Diagnostic opinions or assessments.
- Crisis, safeguarding or emergency support.
Topics we can provide guidance on
Who can use the service?
You can use this service if you are looking for autism-related information, explanation or guidance.
- Autistic people.
- People who do not have a formal autism diagnosis.
- Children, young people and adults.
- Parents, carers and family members.
- Professionals seeking advice and information related to autism.
Where we support
We primarily support people living in Norfolk. We may also provide information and signposting for people outside Norfolk where appropriate.
If a referral is from outside Norfolk, it may take us longer to respond because we may need to research and clarify information about services in your local area.
Referral
You complete a referral form outlining your situation and the specific question or area of difficulty.
One-off advice
An Autism Advisor reviews your referral and provides information and guidance, usually by email or phone.
Signposting
Where appropriate, we suggest organisations, services or resources that may be able to offer further help.
Service closure
Once information and signposting have been provided, the enquiry is closed. Any further queries need a new referral.
Before you refer
Please only use this service if you are looking for:
- Information or explanation.
- Help understanding systems or processes.
- Guidance on possible next steps.
If your referral is about challenging behaviour, sensory dysregulation, school refusal or demand avoidance, we may send additional questionnaires to help us understand the situation more clearly.
Our commitment
We aim to provide clear, respectful and accessible information. While we cannot solve problems for you or stay involved long-term, we will do our best to ensure you leave the service:
- Better informed.
- Clearer about your options.
- More confident about your next steps.
Ready to make a referral?
To access the Autism Information and Advice Service, please complete our referral form. All referrals must include a clear question or area of information you are seeking, so we can make sure this service is appropriate for your needs.