Guidance for Professionals
Autism Informed Services
eBook intended to be an informed level professional learning resource for all NHS professionals working in adult services or with adults. (Publisher: Inspiring Scotland; Scottish Government)
Autismity - The Autism Simulator
The Autismity immersive provides a perspective of a neurodivergent person's daily interactions with their environment. Through a virtual reality (VR) headset, users experience how sounds, lights, patterns, and disturbing elements affect autistic individuals, with simulations lasting approximately 2 minutes each. It serves as a powerful tool for raising awareness and understanding the importance of designing spaces that are inclusive for both neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals. While these simulations cannot fully replicate the diverse ways autism affects individuals, they provide insight into sensory processing differences that influence how autistic people interact with built environments.
The available demos (no VR headset needed) illustrate common scenarios such as:
Navigating a busy café environment
Waiting for public transport
Managing competing sensory inputs in everyday spaces
The Autism Simulator is designed for educational institutions, organisations, medical and therapeutic professionals, companies, family members, or simply anyone who wants to understand autism.
Celebrating Neurodivergent Talent at Work - Toolkit for Employers
The toolkit from Bank of Ireland, produced with auticon, is a practical 'how-to' guide aimed at helping employers support and recruit neurodivergent staff. It outlines actions over the full employee lifecycle - from job adverts and interviews to onboarding, reasonable adjustments, and career development - using a three-pillar framework (Understanding, Infrastructure, Culture) to embed neuroinclusion in everyday working practices.
Guidance for the Media
Guidance for journalists and producers on interviewing autistic people and reporting on autism:
Media communications guide (Autistica)
Guidance for the media (National Autistic Society)
GP health care from an autistic perspective
This YouTube video is a valuable direct account of issues faced by autistic adults in primary care such as being misunderstood, experiencing sensory overload, and facing barriers in communication and offers practical suggestions that align with best practices for accessible, person-centred healthcare. The primary audience of the video is healthcare professionals, particularly general practitioners (GPs) and primary care staff. Simple adjustments - like allowing written notes or quieter waiting spaces - enhance patient wellbeing and outcomes, with explicit encouragement from clinicians necessary for some individuals to use alternative strategies. The material urges GPs to believe patients' accounts, personalise interactions, and seek direct feedback, stressing that every autistic person has unique needs.
Independent Advocacy for Service Providers
The guide created by the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) provides an overview aimed at service providers to help them understand the role, principles, and distinctive features of independent advocacy in Scotland.
Oliver McGowan Training on Learning Disability and Autism
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is the statutory training package required by law for all health and social care staff in England, following the Health and Care Act 2022. It was developed in response to the preventable death of Oliver McGowan, a young autistic man, revealing critical gaps in staff understanding of autism and learning disability in the NHS and care services. This training aims to ensure staff have the right knowledge and skills to provide safe, compassionate, and informed care to autistic people and people with learning disabilities. The training is available on the NHS England e-Learning for Healthcare website. For non-NHS England personnel, you may be able to access the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training using an existing OpenAthens account or by contacting e-LfH to request access, including staff working in Scotland.
A Practice Guide for Defence Solicitors in Scotland: representing clients with communication support needs
Produced by the SOLD Network in collaboration with their justice partners, the guide aims to provide guidance for defence solicitors when the client they are representing has communication support needs. It provides advice on how to recognise when a person has difficulty with communication, how to communicate more effectively, and information on the various supports that may be available to help. The guide draws on insights from experienced defence solicitors, people with lived experience, and other workers with experience of supporting people in the justice system.