Autism Alert Card

An autism alert card or passport is a document you can carry to help communicate your needs as an autistic/neurodivergent individual to police officers or other officials when you are away from home. The card typically contains your details and advice for the officer you are speaking to. Alert card schemes are run in most police areas across the UK.

Further information can be found on the National Police Autism Association website: www.npaa.org.uk/alert-card-schemes/

The Link for Merseyside Police: www.cheshireautism.org.uk/news/attention-card/

When you apply for an Attention Card you are given the option for the applicant’s difficulties to be recorded onto Cheshire or Merseyside Police’s intelligence system. This means that in an emergency, irrespective of whether they are carrying the card or Autism Code Keyring, the issues they have will be acknowledged, and appropriate support given. The application form can be downloaded on the Cheshire Autism website above.

Autism Central 

Autism Central is a peer education programme, commissioned by NHS England. It aims to build knowledge and understanding of autism and empower families and carers to advocate for autistic people they support. Local support helps families to get the right understanding and adjustments in place across the services they use. Everything the programme does is informed by, or co-produced with autistic people, families and carers. 

The Autism Central Hubs offer guidance to families, carers and personal assistants of autistic people. All of their sessions are run by Peer Educators. These are parents or carers of autistic people, who are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. They offer group and one-to-one sessions to help you and other parents and carers find the information and services available in your area. Hubs may also run events such as workshops, drop-in sessions, coffee mornings or virtual meet-ups.

Autism Central Website: www.autismcentral.org.uk

Autism Central is delivered in the North West by Great Minds Together in these regions:

• Lancashire and South Cumbria
• Greater Manchester
• Cheshire and Merseyside

Further information can be found here:  www.autismcentral.org.uk/hubs/north-west-delivered-great-minds-together 

Autism in Motion (children & parent carer support)

Autism in motion is a parent led organisation, who provide support, advice and guidance for families of children with neurological conditions mainly Autism and ADHD. They facilitate courses, advice sessions and coffee mornings for the parent/carers to attend.  In addition to this, Autism in Motion like to take a holistic family approach and include siblings in all our activities/days out. Their activities and course page is updated often.

Address: Autism In Motion, St Georges Community Hub, Waresley Crescent, Fazakerley L9 6BW

Telephone: 0151 525 2225

Email: info@aimautism.com 

Website: www.aimautism.com

National Autistic Society

The National Autistic Society offer support to autistic people in the UK and their families. They run specialist schools, campaign for improved rights and train companies on being more autism-friendly. They are dedicated to transforming lives and changing attitudes.

Advice and guidance

Their website has an advice and guidance section which has a wide range of information about autism. There are 24 different topics, including diagnosis, behaviour, communication, loneliness, sensory differences, mental health, benefits and money, education, and more.

Online Community

The Society also has an online community. The online community is a virtual space for autistic people, their families and those who work with autistic people to ask questions, support one another and discuss the issues and experiences that are important to them. 

Autism Services Directory

The UK’s most comprehensive directory of services and support for autistic people, their families, and the people who work with them.

The Directory helps you find UK-wide or local organisations and services that are specifically for, or have adapted their services, to meet the needs of autistic people and/or their families. Please be aware that the Directory should not be used for finding a crisis or emergency service. UK residents can access urgent help or support by contacting the services listed on www.autism.org.uk/urgenthelp

'I am autistic' card

This card is a great way for you to let people know that you are autistic and that you might need some extra time or help in certain situations. It can be downloaded for free via the National Autistic website here: www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/resources/downloads/i-am-autistic

You can also download alternative cards such as 'My Child is Autistic' and 'This Person is Autistic'. The cards can be bought on their online shop here: www.autism.org.uk/shop for 50p.

Willis House - Autism Spectrum Conditions (18+)

Mersey Care Autism Spectrum Condition Services work with adults over 18 years of age. The team provide diagnostic assessments for Autism Spectrum Condition and offer short term post diagnostic support, mainly in the form of groups. They have a multi disciplinary team with a range of backgrounds. This may include practitioners from nursing, social work, occupational therapy, psychology and speech and language therapy.

If you are already diagnosed with autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome) then you can be referred to the team for further support and signposting. If you are referred, a member of the team will invite you for an appointment to discuss your current needs.

If you are registered with a GP in Halton, Knowsley or St Helens, you can be referred to the service by your:

• GP
• Social Worker
• Other healthcare professional

When the team receive a referral, they will write to you to let you know what happens next.

Address: Willis House, 23 Cumber Lane, Whiston, L35 2YZ

Telephone: 0151 292 6964

Email for contact and referrals: autism.service@merseycare.nhs.uk

Leaflet

Website: www.merseycare.nhs.uk/our-services/liverpool/autism-spectrum-conditions