Autism

If you or someone you care for is autistic, the Autism Resources Co‑ordination Hub (ARCH) can help. We support autistic people of all ages, and parents and carers. We offer clear advice, practical support and links to services in South Lanarkshire and across Scotland.

ARCH helps you find the right support at the right time. You can contact us for information, guidance or to be signposted to other services that meet your needs.

How ARCH can support you

We work with local groups, charities and services to help make communities more autism‑friendly. This means improving understanding of autism and making sure support works for the people who use it.

We can:

• help you understand what support is available
• connect you with local and national autism services
• offer information for autistic people, parents and carers
• support professionals and community groups to provide better services

Information leaflets

We have a range of free, easy‑to‑use leaflets, including:

• A brief guide for autistic people, parents and carers
• My Autism Profile
• My ADHD Profile
• Me, Myself and Autism
• Me, Myself and Autism for under 12s
• Autism and the female presentation
• Autism and menstrual health

You can ask us for printed copies.

National plans and useful resources

You can download South Lanarkshire’s five-year local Autism Action Plan or the easy read version. These explain how support for autistic people is developing locally.

Get in touch to ask questions, request leaflets or find support.

Other resources

Autism Network Scotland

Carer information

Children in Scotland

Extreme Demand Avoidance

My Autism Profile

National Autistic Society Scotland

Scottish Autism

Self-directed Support information

South Lanarkshire Framework for the education of children with autism spectrum disorder

Supporting Offenders with learning disabilities (SOLD)

The Association for Real Change (ARC) Scotland "Principles of Good Transition " practice - autism supplement

The Autism Toolbox

The centre for youth and criminal justice at Strathclyde University

The Independent Review of Mental Health Act (IRMHA)

The Task Force to reform children and young people's mental health provision

NEST – a small NHS Neurodevelopmental Empowerment and Strategy Team (NEST) have developed a website, and although some of the resources are specifically related to Ayrshire, many more helpful resources are available for all neurodivergent people and their families.