Education

In your working life, especially if you are in the fields of health, education and social work, you can expect to meet many people with an ASD. If you work with people who have learning disabilities, you will meet many more.

ASDs are much more common than most people think. There are over half a million people in the UK with an ASD - that's around 1 in 100 people.

It can be hard to create awareness of ASDs as people with the condition do not 'look' disabled: parents of children with an ASD often say that other people simply think their child is naughty; while adults find that they are misunderstood.

All people with an ASD can benefit from a timely diagnosis and access to appropriate services and support.

In this section, you'll find information for education professionals.

Please also see 'Related resources' at the bottom of the page for information on research, training etc. If you are involved in sports, leisure or play activities with children with an ASD, you'll also find a link to some useful information here.

Related resources

• Education: make school make sense
  
• Sports, leisure and play workers
  
• Asperger syndrome in your classroom (information for classmates)
  
• Approaches, therapies and interventions
  
• DED guidance for public authorities
  
• Helpline email service
  

• North East Autism Consortium

• Invisible Families (PDF)
  PDF version of a booklet outlining the experiences of families from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.
• Autism and the Disability Equality Duty (PDF)
  To request more copies of this guide, please email Anna Ostmeier, Policy and Participation Assistant (anna.ostmeier@nas.org.uk)

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