Autism isn’t visible. This video shows diverse individuals, challenging stereotypes and encouraging us to see the person, not assumptions, promoting kindness, understanding, and true inclusion.
Simple adjustments and empathy can transform everyday experiences for autistic people. This video highlights how kindness and awareness help create more inclusive, supportive environments for everyone.
Social situations can be overwhelming for autistic individuals. This video shows how preparation, patience, and small changes can make these moments more comfortable, inclusive, and empowering.
Small acts of kindness and simple adjustments can make a big difference. This short video uses the simple image of a kettle boiling to remind us to pause and reflect on how we can create a more inclusive world.
Autism is a lifelong neurological difference. This page explains what autism is and some common experiences of autistic children, young people and adults.
Autism is a lifelong neurological difference that a person is born with. It can become noticeable at different stages of life. Autism is not an illness and there is no cure or medical treatment for autism, but support and reasonable adjustments can make a positive difference.
With the right support, autistic individuals can thrive.
Autism is a spectrum condition, meaning each autistic person is unique. While there are shared characteristics, every individual has their own strengths, challenges and preferences.
Autism (or autism spectrum disorder, ASD) affects how people:
Common experiences for autistic individuals can vary widely, but may include:
Autistic individuals may experience differences in emotional regulation, including:
Autistic people may be more or less sensitive to different types of sensory input, such as:
Examples can include feeling overwhelmed by lots of sensory input, finding it hard to filter out background noise, or experiencing increased anxiety that can affect communication.
Some individuals with undiagnosed autism may mask their differences in order to fit in. This can make identification of autism more difficult, particularly in educational settings.
Both boys and girls may mask autistic characteristics, and signs can be subtle. In some cases, individuals may experience shutting down or meltdowns in environments where they feel safer, such as at home.
Key transition points such as starting school, moving class, or changing routines, may increase pressure and make underlying difficulties more apparent.
This explains how the autism diagnostic process works for children and young people in Bromley.
You do not need a diagnosis to access support. However, for a formal autism diagnosis to be made, there must be clear differences in:
To receive a diagnosis of autism a referral for assessment is needed. It is important to note that support can be given whilst seeking a diagnosis and not dependant on one. Currently:
If you believe yourself, child, young person or adult as being autistic, you may be considering being formally assessed. This may then result in diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) otherwise known as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC).
Whilst many people and families may not wish to receive formal diagnosis, some feel the autism diagnosis is vital, as it means the appropriate support can be put in place to meet their short and long term needs or wishes. It may also help the individual understand why they are having any difficulties and what they can do.
If you are concerned about your child’s learning in their setting or school then speak to the practitioner/teacher in the first instance or request a meeting with the SENCO.
Referrals for children and young people under the age of 18 can be made by any professional or person who knows your child well, for example a teacher, a tutor, SENCO, a therapist (speech and language, occupational or play therapist), childminder or nursery staff. Your GP will advise you to talk with these professionals for the referral as they will need to complete the questionnaire.
Please see the Autism Referral Pathway leaflet that has been coproduced for those seeking a diagnosis and their families. It has key information and signposting to support available.
Autism is diagnosed by looking at child or young person’ social communications and interactions to check whether their activities, personal interests and routines have any restricted or repetitive patterns. What parents/carers have noticed about their strengths and differences is vital to this process.
Parents and carers should work closely with their child’s paediatricians, GP, and health visitors to understand the child’ needs and help implement early support interventions.
Awaiting an autism diagnosis can be a challenging period for families. However, there are numerous support groups and resources available to assist during this time. Diagnosis is not needed to access support and this includes support for children and young people in schools and settings.
To read more about support and strategies, please visit the autism support section.
For more information about support services, read the Do you know …? guide for families with children and teenagers who have social and communication difficulties including autism.
There are many local and national charities that may be accessed without diagnosis. Visit the social communication needs including autism support services page.
National Autistic Society:
Visit the National Autistic Society’s diagnostic hub providing information, practical and multi-media resources to support autistic people and their families before, during and after diagnosis.
Information for parents and carers.
The number of children referred for autism and ADHD assessment has increased significantly in recent years. This reflects a greater awareness and improved understanding, so more children who may benefit from assessment are being identified.
As a result, waiting times have increased. We are improving how the service works so more children can be seen sooner, while maintaining safe, high-quality care.
We are introducing a revised way of assessing children and young people.
All referrals will still be reviewed by senior clinicians, but children may now be seen by different professionals depending on their needs.
This includes trained clinicians who specialise in child development, as well as doctors.
Your child will be seen by a clinician with the right skills and experience for their needs. This could be a doctor or another professional who specialises in working with children and young people.
All clinicians work as part of the same team and follow the same clinical standards.
Some children will be seen by a doctor, and some will be seen by another trained clinician, depending on the outcome of the initial assessment and complexity of their needs.
Doctors remain involved in the pathway. They review referrals, support clinical decisions, and see children where medical input is needed.
All referrals are reviewed by experienced clinicians.
Decisions are based on available information, including input from parents, schools and other professionals, as well as questionnaires and developmental history.
No.
All assessments follow national clinical guidance and the same clinical standards.
The pathway includes senior clinical review, and doctors remain involved where needed. This helps ensure assessments are safe and consistent.
You can get support from:
Please contact us if you need guidance.
Contact us
bromh.cypqueries@nhs.net
0300 330 5777
You do not need an autism diagnosis to access support. Support should be based on identified need rather than diagnosis alone.
You are the expert of your child and are probably already putting in place strategies to support, sometimes without realising it. Here are some key strategies that may help children with social communication differences and autism.
Maintain a routine:
Use clear and simple communication:
Encourage sensory regulation:
Support social skills development:
Focus on strengths:
Celebrate your child’s unique talents and interests. Activities that play to their strengths can boost their confidence and self-esteem.
If your child is in the early years (aged 0 to 4) and you are waiting for an autism assessment, Bromley Council offers support to help you during this time. You can access services like the Early Years Inclusion Team (EYIT) for advice and early intervention, benefit from home visits through the Portage service, and explore funding options. Find out more about these services.
There are also partnerships with voluntary organisations to provide extra support, helping you and your child while you wait for a diagnosis. Find out more about local groups and charities.
Supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Bromley educational settings involves a structured, three-stage approach designed to provide appropriate assistance at every level. This is called the Graduated Approach. Learn more about the Graduated Approach and its three-stages.
Schools can adopt various strategies to help children with any type of special educational need and this is not reliant on either a diagnosis or an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan, often referred to as an EHCP). The SEND code of practice provides statutory duties and guidance for school to follow.
Schools in Bromley have access to a SEN tool kit and support from the Inclusion Support Advisory team (ISAT) and the SEND Advisory Team (SENDAT). Here are some examples of what schools may put in place as reasonable adjustments.
Visual supports:
Quiet spaces:
Structured routines:
Social skills support:
Clear communication:
If further support is required, the school can refer to the community paediatrician or the Bromley Healthcare Complex Communication Diagnostic Service. You cannot approach this service direct.
Building a positive relationship with your child’s nursery, preschool or school can make a big difference. You know your child best, and working together helps ensure they get the right support at the right time.
When you know what education setting your child or young person will attend, it’s important to make contact early. You can speak to the SENCO about your child’s or young person’s needs. Starting these conversations early helps the setting understand your child’s needs and plan the right support to give them the best possible start to their education.
A SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) is a member of staff responsible for making sure children and young people with additional needs receive the help they need.
They are your point of contact and can help:
A SENCO’s role is to help develop ways of overcoming barriers to your child’s or young person’s learning so they can thrive.
Find advice on how to speak to your SENCO on Scope’s website.
It’s helpful to contact the SENCO as early as possible if:
You can ask about:
Try to keep conversations open and collaborative. You and the setting are working together to support your child.
It can help to write down a list of things you have noticed to help you feel more confident.
This could include:
You could also ask:
There is useful guidance on how to communicate with education settings on the Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) webpage. Visit the IASS website.
The London Borough of Bromley is committed to supporting families whose children have social communication differences, including autism, ensuring they can access the help and guidance they need.
The Social Communication Needs including Autism Family Support Service provides information and advice to parents and carers of children with social communication needs. This service is referred to as ‘SCAN’ and helps parents and carers to navigate the support options available in Bromley and nationally.
The SCAN service informs families of the accessible and supportive universal, targeted, and specialist provision available so that families can feel supported at home, in education, and in their community.
The SCAN service:
The SCAN family support service sits within Bromley’s Early Intervention and Family Support Services, under the Bromley Children Project, which is a borough wide service that supports all families living in Bromley.
Contact: Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 2pm.
Email: SocialCommunicationNeeds@bromley.gov.uk
Telephone: 0208 461 7259
Bromley Mencap Specialist Autism Family support service
Bromley Mencap Specialist Autism Family support service is commissioned by Bromley Council and compliments the Social Communication Needs (inc Autism) Family Support Service (SCAN). The service is only available through referral from the SCAN Family Support Service and other key professionals.
Their specialist service is delivered by two experienced autism family support workers and offers:
Support could be specifically related to the child’s needs or to the family situation, for example, help with welfare benefit claims and housing. All support will be tailored to the needs of each family.
Many families experience periods that are more challenging when specialist support is required. Once intensive support is completed, families will return to the support of the universal family support service at Bromley Children Project.
Bromley Mental Health Hub
Supporting mental health of children, young people and their families. Find out more about Bromley Mental Health Hub.
Bromley Well
Provide free and confidential services to help improve and maintain health and wellbeing for those 18+. Bromley Well also support young people aged 4-19 who care for others and adults aged 19+ who care for others, including those caring for people with poor mental health. Find out more about Bromley Well.
Bromley Y
Free support for children, young people and their families. Bromley Y promotes the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children, young people and their parents/carers by enabling change, fostering resilience and helping them build healthy relationships. Find out more information about Bromley Y.
CANDI
A not for profit, client-led organisation providing social, vocational and enterprise opportunities for the 16+ Neurodiverse Community. Offering wellbeing and creative workshops and clubs and a safe and supportive space within Rhiannons Café in Bromley. Find out more information about CANDI.
CASPA
A local charity providing advice, support and life skill development opportunities.
Social clubs for all ages including LGBTQA+, specialist projects, holiday programmes, residential trips, family support, monitored Parent/Carer WhatsApp and much more. Find out more information about CASPA.
Destiny Children & Family Support Group
Provides creative social activities for children with special educational needs or disabilities, and a support group for families with children who have autism, ADHD, speech and language, social, emotional, or other special needs. Find out more about Destiny Children & Family Support Group.
Oakonsult
Delivers workshops, training, practical sessions and therapeutic approaches to parent carers of children with SEND from the Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) community. Find out more information about Oakonsult.
Rhiannons Café
Staffed by a neurodivergent team, Rhiannon’s Café is a safe and welcoming space for everyone. Find out more information about Rhiannons Café.
National Autistic Society
The UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families. Their goal is to help transform lives, change attitudes, and create a society that works for autistic people. Find out more information about the National Autistic Society.
Ambitious About Autism
The national charity for Autistic children and young people. They provide information, training, and support, run a range of high-quality services including the pioneering treehouse school, and campaign to make the ordinary possible for autistic children and young people. For more information, visit Ambitious about Autism.
Autism Education Trust (AET)
AET offer an extensive library of free resources for education professionals, leaders, and parents on topics such as exclusion, good autism practice, positive relationships and a free guide for families and carers. Find out more information about the Autism Education Trust.
NHS
The NHS provides a wealth of information about SCD and autism including recognising the signs, getting a diagnosis and the support available to families.
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA)
Offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We also provide training on the SEND legal framework to parents and carers, professionals, and other organisations. For more information visit IPSEA or enquire by booking an appointment.
Autistic Girls Network
The network campaign for better recognition and diagnosis of autistic girls and to support them in finding their identity and feeling understood.
They sign post you to support networks, organisations and resources and provide a safe space to ask questions, raise concerns and share experiences in a private Facebook group.
Read their white paper, Autism, Girls and keeping it all inside.
Ambitious About Autism – Right from the Start
The Right from the Start toolkit has been created by Ambitious About Autism contains information to guide parents and carers through their child’s journey in the early years.
Ambitious About Autism – employment toolkits
Offer free employment toolkits to support employers learn about autism inclusion services.
Autism alert card scheme – National Police Autism Association
Autism Alert Cards alert police officers that the individual may communicate or behave differently. This helps officers make appropriate and reasonable adjustments in order to interact with the individual appropriately. Find out more about the autism alert card scheme.
A is for Autism
A useful guide aimed at professionals/businesses that is also useful for families.
Autism Central
Autism Central is a programme aimed at helping families and carers to learn more about autism and signpost them to useful resources and learning.
Autism Level Up!
Autism Level UP! provides tools and support made by and for autistic or neurodivergent people, but also for those supporting neurodivergent individuals.
Autistic Parents UK
Autistic parents UK is a national autistic-led charity offering essential support services, resources, education and a thriving community for Autistic parents.
Autism Referral Pathway Leaflet
The Autism Referral Pathway leaflet has been co-produced for those seeking a diagnosis and their families, providing key information and signposting to available support.
Access Card is a universal way of communicating access requirements for someone with a disability. This may include discounted tickets for theatres at Delfont Mackintosh Theatres (DMT) venues.
More information about using an Access Card or registration number at a DMT venue can be found on the Access Card website.
b-Hive
b-Hive offer information about the range of therapies that support the communication development, physical skills and independence of children, teenagers, and young adults in Bromley.
CBeebies autism stories
5-year-old Pablo is on the autistic spectrum. He creates imaginary friends who come to life, and together they go on fun adventures and cope with tricky day-to-day situations. Find episodes.
Cbeebies also have videos to help parents and carers to talk to your child about autism.
Hear about the autism spectrum, told through children’s personal experiences, Watch their stories.
CEA Card
The CEA Card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas by the UK Cinema Association (UKCA). The card enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them when they visit a participating cinema.
Cerebra
Cerebra offer a factsheet to provide information and useful resources to parents who suspect that their child may have autism. It explains how to obtain an autism assessment, highlights the importance of a timely diagnosis and what support you and your child may be entitled to if a diagnosis is made.
Do you know…? guide
The Do you know …? guide for families with children and teenagers who have social and communication difficulties including autism, has information about support services in Bromley.
MyMax Card
The My Max Card is a discount card for families of children with disabilities. It can help you save money on great days out at castles, zoos, bowling alleys and more across the UK. To get a My Max card you need to register your child on the Bromley Children’s Disability Register.
Radar Keys
The National Key Scheme (NKS) offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country. Toilets fitted with National Key Scheme (NKS) locks can now be found in shopping centres, pubs, cafés, department stores.
Useful links:
Some children and young people with social communication needs may also be autistic. Find autism specific information on our Autism page.
The Bromley All‑age Autism Board (BAAB) helps guide and improve support and services for autistic people of all ages in Bromley. The Board works with local organisations and decision‑makers to ensure that the needs of autistic people are understood, listened to, and acted on.
The BAAB helped create Bromley’s first All-age Autism Strategy 2022 to 2027. The strategy focuses on five priorities, chosen through feedback from autistic people and their families:
These priorities are monitored through the All‑age Autism action plan, which is reviewed at every BAAB meeting.
The Bromley All-age Autism Partnership (BAAP) brings together representatives from the BAAB, including autistic people, parents and carers, professionals, and voluntary sector organisations. The partnership works collaboratively to improve support and services for autistic children, young people, and adults in Bromley.
The BAAP listens to lived experiences through:
Anyone can join these groups. A formal diagnosis is not required.
To join a group or find out more, email: sendmatters@bromley.gov.uk
The partnership has worked on a range of projects linked to the strategy’s priorities and shaped by feedback from autistic residents.
Funding was provided to CANDI to create more social opportunities for autistic young people and adults aged 16+, including:
The Autism Promise programme, delivered by CASPA, supports workplaces and businesses to become more inclusive.
Local Autism Promise partners include organisations from a range of sectors, such as education, hospitality, creative industries, wellbeing, and community support services.
Funding was secured to co‑produce materials that promote autism understanding and acceptance throughout the year as part of the Stop and Think 2025: Autistic Voice project.
A focus group of autistic community members met regularly to identify gaps and develop useful resources.
These materials were launched at a joint event with the Social Communication Needs including Autism (SCAN) One Stop Shop, and can be accessed on the CASPA website.
