Autism Guides
Bite-size information on a wide range of topics to help you to understand autism and find strategies that work for you.
Kids Autism Hub
A new service for young autistic people and their families in Essex, Southend and Thurrock.
About the Autism Hub
Who is it for?
The Kids Autism Hub is for young people aged 12 – 25 who are newly diagnosed with autism, young people who are on the diagnosis pathway, and the family members of those young people.
To access the Autism Hub you have to be referred by an autism professional in the NHS or education. If you are being assessed for autism your NHS team or SENDCO can refer you.
What does it do?
The service will help you and your family understand more about autism and the different ways autism can affect different people.
Personal stories
Video interviews and stories featuring young autistic people and their parents discussing their own experiences of autism and offering their advice on how they’ve made it work for them.
Support groups
Weekly online groups where you can learn more about autism, ask questions, and hear the experiences of other people
Directory
Pointers to a range of high-quality autism services across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock who can help with your individual needs.
Who is it by?
The Kids Autism Hub has been commissioned by the NHS in Essex. The three NHS Integrated Care Boards that cover Essex, Southend, and Thurrock came together to develop it for families living in Essex.
They commissioned Kids to develop and run the service. Kids is a national charity that supports young disabled and neurodivergent people and their families. Kids has over 50 years’ experience of working with young autistic people.
How do I sign up?
To access the service you need to be referred by a health or education professional. Please speak to your NHS autism contact or your SENDCO. If you are having difficulty being referred and believe you are eligible please contact us and we’ll try to help.
Find out more
To find out more and take part please visit our dedicated website.