Resources for supporting learners with autism

Autism is one of a number of conditions under the umbrella term neurodiversity. According to recent government figures, only 25% of autistic adults of working age are in paid employment.


Autism resource guide

The Autism resource guide aims to provide teachers and trainers in the FE sector with an understanding of the potential impact of autism on learning and how to better support learners to achieve their full potential.

The guide focuses on autism and related conditions from a neurodiversity perspective, including how staff can make the most of an individual’s strengths and positive characteristics that may be associated with their neurodiverse condition.

The resource explores the signs, symptoms, behaviours and provides top tips for adapting communication, teaching strategies, and environment to enable learners to thrive. An online Supporting learners with autism taster session is freely available that accompanies this guide. 

cover image of Autism Resource Guide

Autism standards and competency framework

The Autism Education Trust (AET), funded by the Department for Education, published a set of AET Post-16 Standards to enable FE and Skills providers to evaluate their practice in addressing the needs of young people from 16 to 25 on the autism spectrum. The development of these standards was created in close collaboration with the development of the AET Post-16 Competency Framework.


Supporting learners

These webinars were created by Weston College, one of ETF’s Centre for Excellence in SEND as part of their Community of Practice offer.

Adapting and redesigning support programmes for students with autism. This session explored how models of delivery can be shaped and differentiated to minimise the impact of a pandemic on the students’ progress and success.
Preparing learners with autism for higher education. This webinar shares how Weston College support learners with autism who are progressing to university.
Reconnection and engagement programmes for learners with autism and anxiety. This webinar explored approaches that promote connection, interaction, and engagement via peer networks during holiday periods. How to discretely promote positive well-being, and how to create superordinate goals for learners that encourage teamwork to build confidence and communication skills. 

Transition to employment toolkit

Ambitious about Autism have created a new employment toolkit to support autistic young people into the job market. The toolkit has been developed to tackle the low autism employment rate, which is currently at 22% and the lowest of all disabled groups. It aims to prevent autistic young people from falling out of education, employment or training when they leave school. The toolkit has sections for autistic young people, careers professionals and employers. It can be downloaded as a whole or as individual sections, and includes lots of editable forms and templates. The Transition to employment toolkit is free to download from their website. 


Safeguarding and prevent

The ETF has published resources to support learners with autism to support your work with safeguarding and prevent duty.

The resources Making British values meaningful for learners with autism and Helping learners with autism understand how to keep safe from radicalisation and extremism are available for download.

Visit the ETF’s Prevent for Further Education and training resources, for further safeguarding and Prevent resources. 

Cover image of Making British Values meaningful for learners with autism
Cover image of Helping learners with autism understand how to keep safe from radicalisation and extremism

Ambitious about Autism

The following webinars are held monthly by Ambitious about Autism, more details and how to book can be found on their website.


Quick links

Ambitious about Autism –  charity for children and young people with autism providing education and employment services.

Autism Education Trust – provides training and resources to teachers and managers working with learners with autism.

National Autistic Society – charity for autistic people (including those with Asperger Syndrome) and their families. They provide an autism helpline for people with autism and their families.

RNIB Bookshare – RNIB Bookshare supports learners with a print disability to access the curriculum. They provide accessible textbooks and resources for sight loss, dyslexia ,dyspraxia, autism and qualifying physical disabilities. The service is free to UK education organisations.