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 core characteristics of autism 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 the referrals pathways for a diagnosis, 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.

Throughout 2024/25, Herefordshire was part of a national project, Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS), which was aimed at improving 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

• The Language and Communication Centre at Hampton Dene Primary School
• Leominster Primary School
• St Weonards Primary School

Secondary school age

• The Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School, Hereford
• Earl Mortimer College, Leominster
• Aylestone High School, Hereford

Herefordshire Autism Partnership

Herefordshire Council's Autism Partnership recently developed 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.
• HANDS Hub is the Herefordshire Autism and Neurodiverse Support charity based in Hereford city centre. They have regular groups and events for parent carers and children and young people, with or without a diagnosis. Find out more on the HANDS Hub Facebook page or visit the HANDS Hub website.
• Herefordshire SEND Local Offer Facebook page
  Up to date information about SEND events, leisure activities, sources of advice and support are shared on a regular basis.
• 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.
• Speech and Language Therapy Service at Wye Valley NHS Trust provides assessment and intervention for children and young people with speech, language, voice, communication and feeding or swallowing difficulties.
• SEND local offer neurodivergence zone
  Find out more about neurodivergence and the support available.
• 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.

Other sources of support and information

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

• Autistica (including the Molehill Mountain app, which helps autistic people understand and manage anxiety)
• Council for Disabled Children
• National Autistic Society
• NHS autism information
• Togetherness - Bringing the Solihull Approach to the world
  Togetherness is an NHS emotional health team sharing evidence-based teaching and learning about emotional wellbeing and preventative mental health in the UK and around the world. Herefordshire families have access to free online e-learning for parents and families. Courses cover a range of topics including 'Understand your child with additional needs'. Courses are available in multiple languages and can be accessed for free using the code APPLEHERE.