Information and advice available for people with Autism

There is a new information and advice service for people living with Autism in the High Peak and across Derbyshire. 

Launching at the beginning of March, the service is the hub for all things Autism related in the county. 

Based within Citizens Advice Mid Mercia with the support of Derbyshire County Council, the service supports adults living with Autism Spectrum Condition, their families and carers, and professionals wanting to learn more about Autism. 

Citizens Advice Mid Mercia say: "We are an active member of Derbyshire’s Autism Partnership Board and work closely with all Autism service providers across Derbyshire to ensure we are able to deliver the most up to date and timely information and advice to Derbyshire’s Autistic community." 

Anyone who is living with Autism, is a parent or carer of someone with Autism, or is a professional wanting to know more, can be helped with many things, including the following: 

• Physical health
• Mental health and wellbeing 
• Pre and post diagnosis information 
• Gaining knowledge about living with Autism 
• Debt, finances and benefits 
• Advocacy 
• Skills and employment 
• Family and relationships 
• Social support 

The service also offers Derbyshire's Autistic community: 

• A helpline and answerphone service, which is operational Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm (excluding public holidays). Due to Covid-19 restrictions, callers are asked to leave a message and a trained member of staff will call back. 
• A fully loaded website – with lots of accessible information and downloadable resources, as well as an online referral form to request support. 
• A Facebook page with regular updates and interesting news. 
• A YouTube channel - featuring twice weekly releases of exciting and engaging new videos. 
• Regular drop-in sessions across Derbyshire, the development of an Autism Alliance task force, and Autism Spectrum Condition awareness training and professional training - although these services are currently running differently due to Covid-19 restrictions 

To get in touch with the Autism Information and Advice service, visit www.autisminformationservice.org.uk, email autismservice@citizensadvicemidmercia.org.uk, call 01332 228790 and leave a message, search for Autism Information and Advice on Facebook or visit their YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnXGzkxI0Mg3TOb6Ykwj9MQ.