Children and young people with autism (5 - 16 years old)

What is autism?

Autism is a spectrum condition which affects people in different ways. Like all people, autistic people have their own strengths and weaknesses. You can read more about autism and difficulties autistic people may have, including the two key difficulties required for a diagnosis on the National Autistic Society's What is autism? page.

You can also watch this helpful video from the National Autistic Society.

Find out more about autism, including how to get diagnosed as autistic, in our neurodivergence section.

Schools and colleges

Schools and colleges can help most autistic children and young people overcome their difficulties and support them to learn. Some autistic children and young people will need more help than their school or college can usually provide and more specialist support may be needed.

Herefordshire is part of a national project, Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS), which aims to improve outcomes for neurodiverse children and young people in mainstream schools.

Herefordshire Council maintain six specialist resource bases to support school-aged children with autism. To attend one of these bases, a child will need to have both an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and match the entry criteria, which is primarily that the child is able to access mainstream lessons with a high level of flexible support.

Primary school age: Hampton Dene Primary School, Hereford

In response to the consultation in 2023, we have now opened new primary school age mainstream autism bases at:

Secondary school age: Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School, Hereford

Also as a result of the consultation in 2023, we now have additional secondary school age mainstream autism bases at:

Outreach support: Hampton Dene Primary School, Hereford

Hampton Dene also provide a free autism outreach provision to other local primary and secondary schools on behalf of the council. To access the service, schools should contact Hampton Dene Primary School directly.

Herefordshire Autism Partnership

Herefordshire Council's Autism Partnership consulted on a new All Age Autism Strategy - you can find out more on the Herefordshire Autism Partnership page.

Read more about the government's National strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 – 2026.

Local support

  • Parent Carer Voice Herefordshire offers an opportunity for families of children and young people with SEND to come together, to share information and to provide support to each other.
  • Herefordshire and Worcestershire SENDIASS have a dedicated team of advisors offering legally-based and accessible information and advice about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They support parents, carers, children and young people with SEND and their service is impartial and confidential.
  • National Autistic Society Herefordshire Branch has various groups and activities for autistic people and their families. If you have any questions or you would like to be kept informed of news and updates about the branch please email them. Their Facebook page is National Autistic Society Herefordshire Branch.
  • Autism West Midlands is a charity in the West Midlands for people on the autism spectrum. They work across all age groups and abilities, providing direct support. Many of the services that Autism West Midlands offer do not require a child or young person to have a formal diagnosis of autism. The child or young person may have a diagnosis, be awaiting diagnosis, or identify as autistic without having a formal diagnosis. There are regular events aimed at parent carers which you can find out more about on the Autism West Midlands Events page. Autism West Midlands also offers a free 'Teen Autism Confident' programme for young people aged 13-17 in Herefordshire. Sessions offer an opportunity for diagnosed and non-diagnosed autistic teens to learn more about autism in small, supportive group sessions and a one-to-one meeting with an autism advisor. You can find out more about these sessions, including how to register by emailing herefandworcs@autismwestmidlands.org.uk or visiting the website.
  • Brain in Hand is available in Herefordshire and is a proven support solution experienced in supporting transitions into education, higher education and into work. It is co-produced by autistic and neurodivergent people for the unique needs of autistic and neurodivergent people.
  • Herefordshire Autism Partnership brings together people from public services, support organisations, those on the autistic spectrum and their family carers. It aims to promote better understanding of the spectrum in order to improve services for people, families and carers living with autism.

National support

The following organisations can provide a range of extra support for you and your child.